Mommy Wars: Special Campaign Edition - PhillyBlog

Mixiboi · #1 (**permalink**) 09-02-2008, 05:19 AM

You know under all the trash talking, this topic has been around for a while, and I'm sure many of you who come here know that:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/02/us...th&oref=slogin

Quote:

It’s the Mommy Wars: Special Campaign Edition. But this time the battle lines are drawn inside out, with social conservatives, usually staunch advocates for stay-at-home motherhood, mostly defending her, while some others, including plenty of working mothers, worry that she is taking on too much.

“How is this really going to work?” said Karen Shopoff Rooff, an independent voter, personal trainer and mother of two in Austin, Tex. “I don’t care whether she’s the mother or the father; it’s a lot to handle,” she said, adding that Ms. Palin’s lack of national experience would only make her road more difficult.

“When I first heard about Palin, I was impressed,” said Pamela Moore, a mother of two from Birmingham, Ala. But upon reading that Ms. Palin’s special-needs child was three days old when she went back to work, Ms. Moore began questioning the governor’s judgment.

“You can juggle a BlackBerry and a breast pump in a lot of jobs, but not in the vice presidency,” said Christina Henry de Tessan, a mother of two in Portland, Ore.

Her thoughts were echoed by some Republicans, including Anne Faircloth, daughter of former Senator Lauch Faircloth of North Carolina. Being a governor is one thing, Ms. Faircloth said, and Ms. Palin’s husband, Todd, seems like a supportive spouse. “But running for the second-highest office in the land is a very different kettle of fish,” she said.

Sarah Robertson, a mother of four from Kennebunk, Me., who was one of the few evangelical Christians interviewed to criticize Ms. Palin, said: “A mother of a 4-month-old infant with Down syndrome taking up full-time campaigning? Not my value set.”

“There’s nervousness among working moms of both parties that how she does in this race will reflect on the overall ability of working moms,” said Cindi Leive, the editor of Glamour magazine and a mother of two, who said she was trading phone calls with friends on the topic.

“It changes your life and gives you a different perspective on the world,” said Phyllis Schlafly, the conservative organizer who helped defeat the equal rights amendment nearly three decades ago.

“People who don’t have children or who have only one or two are kind of overwhelmed at the notion of five children,” Ms. Schlafly continued, mentioning that she had raised six children and run for Congress as well. “I think a hard-working, well-organized C.E.O. type can handle it very well.”

But Ms. Rodgers acknowledges that on some days, like the one when she had to run to the Capitol for a vote without taking a shower first, she wonders if she is doing the right thing. She feels then like many working mothers: caught between her job and “wanting to be the best mom and best wife you can possibly be.”

“You’re torn,” she said, sounding perfectly matter-of-fact.

I put this here because I'm trying to avoid the political side of this and trying to see the human side of this. Not about the election, but how sides that would decry this at one moment aren't at this moment...It's weird, there is alot on the line for both sides on what they decide to do and say right now...

As parents, he do you feel about this "mommy war?" and how is this latest twist in it effect how you see your view of working/stay at home parents.

banba · #2 (**permalink**) 09-02-2008, 08:48 AM

it is an interesting debate- made more so with her now 17 yr old daughter pregnant. She is going to be between a rock and a hard place with this one and I have hard time believing the conservative right will be embracing her.
As a working parent it is tough to juggle everything. As the mother of a new born I cannot imagine prioriritsing my career at this time. Having a special needs chld creates new challenges with additional appointments, services etc. The reality is that she could not possibly be there for these times with her child if she is campaigning.
In fact, and this may sound self righteous, I changed my career path to give me more time with my kids when I had them. I knew I still had to work but I did not want to work til 6pm every day and work weekends. I think it is hard to be everything- highly successful and a "present" mom but perhaps my time management skills are not good. Of course one could argue that her husband is there for the kids and that is fine- however it is back to what you want. I assume she is married to provide a 2 partner house hold for her kids and yet her absences do not really provide that.
However I also feel bad condemning her for her choices.

ty · #3 (**permalink**) 09-02-2008, 10:48 AM

I feel very bad for the child ...Bristol Palin.

She is now on the front page of almost every news paper in the world.

When I was 17, I was full of angst and was not yet fully mature.
I would not wish to be in that position.
Was she carrying her brother to hide a baby bump???
Is marriage the right answer for such a young woman?

My heart breaks for Bristol.

OldMama · #4 (**permalink**) 09-02-2008, 07:04 PM

I feel badly for Bristol as well. I cannot imagine letting my 17-year-old get married under any circumstances. Even with a baby, she might have a chance at a somewhat normal, teenage life and young adulthood. With a baby and a husband, not a chance. I understand that she wants to keep her baby but I think marriage is a very bad idea.

banba · #5 (**permalink**) 09-02-2008, 08:33 PM

I am guessing that even if it as not in the cards it is now and will happen before the birth. She is the collateral damage I am afraid (as is her 4 month old).

pacoyogi · #6 (**permalink**) 09-02-2008, 09:22 PM

Leaving aside the fact that Palin is a political train wreck (a cross between Dan Quayle, Harriet Miers and New Coke), I don't think there is a responsible way for her to be VP, let alone President with her huge family obligations. There is considerable pushback from her supporters that such an argument is sexist, her husband can take the laboring oar in childraising, etc., but I don't buy it (leaving aside the fact that it is just annoying to hear them cynically mouthing the buzz words of gender equity when they have never previously had a nice thing to say about it in their entire lives).

Five, kids, including a 4MO with Down Syndrome and a pregnant teenager, is WAY more than one parent, regardless of gender, should be expected to handle more or less solo. I've made career compromises in order to be as effective and responsible a parent as I can be, and neither my spouse nor I intend to take on such an encompassing responsibility, and neither of us intends to let the other fly solo.

Mixiboi · #7 (**permalink**) 09-02-2008, 09:39 PM

Well it's nice to see this one keeping civil...for now.

new in the hood · #8 (**permalink**) 09-02-2008, 11:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mixiboi

Well it's nice to see this one keeping civil...for now.

Seriously! I've been having this "conversation" in the politics section and getting body slammed.

Mixiboi · #9 (**permalink**) 09-03-2008, 03:05 AM

That is because the heavyweights are over there, actually people who work for, married to, elected to, and/or are running for political positions.

They take it a tad too serious...

banba · #10 (**permalink**) 09-03-2008, 08:39 AM

..or they have not seen the thread yet.
I do have to say the hypocrisy is interesting. NPR had a lady on this mornng at the convention that said "well it happes to everyone, abstience is hard because, as a parent, you cannot watch them all of the time" yada yada
I guarantee you she would be singing a different tune if it was actually the girl next door!