08
Introducing Your Kids To Democracy
Today is a big day in California. It’s the Primary Election.
I walked over to the polling station down the street from me with my toddler in tow. I didn’t have to take him with me. Grandma is coming over later to babysit and I could have waited until then. I also could have gone later today when the Dude returned from work. But I didn’t want to do that. I wanted to bring my 2 year old with me because I want him to be a part of this day, even if he’s 16 years away from casting his first vote.
It’s not the Monkey’s first election. He was first introduced to the election process at 2 weeks old. I remember strolling him down the street to our local firehouse in downtown San Francisco. Sure, he slept through all of it but I was glad he was there with me while I performed my civic duty. I hope he is always with me on these important days. (continues…)
11
100 Posts…And Counting
My 100th post!
Sorry I’m so excited about this, but it kinda feels like a milestone for me.
This time last year, I wasn’t even thinking about blogging. It never even crossed my mind that, one day, I would join the esteemed ranks of mommy bloggers. But I’m so glad I did. The past 8 months or so have been a whirlwind of writing posts, reading posts, and meeting and connecting with (both online and off) some wonderful bloggers.
So in honor of…well…my blog, I think this 100th post needs to showcase what I consider to be the highlights from the past 100 blog posts. Maybe you’ve read them all (Hi, Mom and Dad!) or maybe this is your first time here. Either way, I welcome you on a little journey through my favorites.
September 2009
Belly Bullies – A post where I declare war on people who (wo)man-handle pregnant women and disregard their feelings. If I ever get pregnant again, I’m going to make a t-shirt that says “If you touch my belly, I will sit on you.”
Bring Back the Yips Yips (An Open Letter to Sesame Street) – I think the title says it all. I miss the Yip Yips on Sesame Street! Please sign the petition if you agree.
Where’s The Music? – In short, a summary of my favorite music for babies and toddlers. You won’t see Baby Mozart on this list.
Your New Baby Is Here. No Accessories Included – My list of all the products that helped me during the newborn and infant stage. I forward this list to everyone I know who is expecting their first baby or is in search of the perfect baby gift. (continues…)
27
The Children Of Afghanistan
What do you see in these photos?
It’s hard to look at these pictures without projecting our own thoughts about the war in Afghanistan and what affect it has had on their youth. What kind of life do these children lead? Are they happy? Do they share the innocence, playfulness, and carefree nature that most of our children possess? I want them to. I hope they do. But it’s hard to be optimistic and idealistic when confronted with the young faces of reality.
The images you see here are photos my sister has taken during her first year in Afghanistan. She has given me permission to use them for the purpose of this blog post. I found these pictures to be so beautiful that I was moved to share them.
(click on pics to expand)
Did these photos move you as well? Please share your thoughts.
21
Favorite iphone Apps For Toddlers
favorite iphone apps for toddlers
On a beautiful sunny San Francisco morning in late October of 2007, I pushed my son into this world. Before the epidural had even worn off, the Dude gave me what I consider the best *push* present ever: an iphone.
That morning, I was introduced to two things I can’t live without.
Now that my son is exactly 2.5 years old, I rely on my iphone even more these days. There are a ton of great apps to keep the little ones distracted and entertained when necessary. While we’re standing in a long line at the grocery store or sitting at the doctor’s office, I simply select a few apps to entertain (and even educate) my son while we wait. Please note that most of these apps will require assistance, so don’t hand the iphone over to the toddler and let them have at it, especially if your kid is like mine. You’ll be upgrading to the next iphone version much earlier than you would like.
Without further ado, these are my 15 favorite toddler-friendly apps that are a no-fail solution to a cranky and impatient child. (continues…)
09
A Message To Mamas
Same-sex couples in Washington D.C. are now legally allowed to marry. For people around the world that support same-sex marriage, this day is a joyous day.
I, for one, am thrilled.
However, this day is also a bittersweet day. There are millions of people who are still not legally allowed to marry. Whether or not they even want to be married is not the point. The point is, they don’t even have the right. I want to see this changed within my lifetime, but I especially want to see this changed for our children.
So, in honor of:
- the many couples celebrating their love today by legally recognizing their commitment to one another,
- the many couples who do not yet have the right to marry, and
- future generations of the LGBT community that will hopefully never have to endure prejudice, hate, and discrimination
I would like to re-post an article I wrote about this topic back in October. This message is for all the moms out there who may not agree with this issue. This message is for all moms out there who may agree, but do not take a stand.
I urge you to reconsider.
Gay Rights: Why Mamas Need to Take a Stand Against Inequality
As a woman, I often think about the time before my birth and what my female ancestors had to endure.
For centuries, women have had to fight to establish equality in a very paternalistic society. Women had to band together to form the Suffrage Movement. Women fought for equality during the Civil Rights Movement and created the Feminist Movement when society still treated them like second-class citizens. In the last 100 years, women have been incredibly successful in overturning anti-discriminatory laws and creating new laws to protect our rights. There is no doubt that the time we live in now is markedly different than the era of our mothers and grandmothers.
As women:
- We lived without voting rights until 1920.
- We lived without FDA-approved birth-control until 1960.
- We lived without discrimination laws and equal opportunity in the workplace until 1964.
- We lived with sex-segregated employment ads until 1968.
- We lived without the Equal Pay Act until 1970.
- We lived without Title IX until 1972.
- We lived without reproductive rights until 1973.
- We lived without the Pregnancy Discrimination Ban until 1978.
- We lived without the Lily Ledbetter Act until 2009.
From our mothers to our great-great-great grandmothers, women have worked hard to ensure a better future for their daughters, and the women of today continue to take a stand against injustice and inequality. As women, we have lived with discrimination and intolerance. We have lived as second-class citizens. We have lived without laws to protect ourselves and our rights. So, I ask my mama-sisters, why aren’t we working harder to ensure a better future for our children and grandchildren? Why aren’t we doing more to stand up to injustice and inequality?
I live in California where Prop 22 passed in 2000 with 61.4% of the vote. On May 15, 2008, Prop 22 was ruled unconstitutional and invalidated. The reaction was mixed, to say the least. Financed by powerful religious organizations and anti-gay organizations, Prop 8 passed just this last year with 52.2% of the vote. I have gay friends who were able to legally marry without problem between May 15th and November 4th. I have other gay friends who missed that small window and do not have that same right. Shortly after the election, I was talking with a few women about the outcome. One mom mentioned that she was tired of all the talk and didn’t want her child exposed to people discussing gay rights. She said, in so many words – it’s so hard for kids these days anyways, so why do we need to add one more thing? I thought about that and replied, yes, it is hard. So why don’t we work to make it easier for them.
Opponents of gay equality rights often cite the Bible as a source for their discrimination. I take issue with that, especially as woman. I am a woman of faith, but I do not take the Bible as a literal and valid source for establishing laws in our society. If that were the case, then equality laws and protections for women would never have been created.
Many of us look back to our history and think, wow, how did women live in a world without equal rights? Within 10 years, I want people to look back and think the same thing. Legal discrimination against gays is a major problem of today. So, I ask you, let’s work to make sure that it’s still not a problem in 10 years. Let’s make sure that future generations look back and think, wow, how did people ever think that discrimination against gays and gay rights was acceptable?
The best place to start making a difference is in the home. As the parents, we are the primary role models for our children. They look to us for guidance on how to navigate this world and how to interact with others. If we are intolerant, discriminatory, and judgmental of others, our children will learn to do the same. Teach your children well. Teach them by being a role model for tolerance, acceptance, and for what is right. It might be your child that needs legal protections and anti-discriminatory laws in the future. But, even more so, it might be your child that needs to know they are always loved and accepted by you…no matter who they love.
Learn more about what you can do for gay rights:
Human Rights Campaign
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
Gay Rights
In California:
Courage Campaign
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