I had a totally different post scheduled to publish today but as I read it just now the topic seems silly. I have a lot of my mind this morning. I couldn’t sleep last night. I know I am not alone.
I can’t stop thinking about Time’s “Are You Mom Enough?” cover. The topic Time attempted to cover is an important one: Attachment Parenting. Unfortunately Time failed to truly do the topic justice. They chose to be extreme and to sexualize a picture of a mother and her son to promote the story.
You will be relieved to know that I am not going to focus on breastfeeding or attachment parenting. Instead I am going to focus on the power and potential mothers have in this world with the context of the ‘mommy battle’ that has ensued as a result of this cover.
Firstly: Listen up, ladies, kids or no kids, we were put on this earth to support, respect and challenge one another. We have enough opportunities in life not in our control to be attacked and to attack (a la ‘mama bear’). Children represent so much potential good in this world. We have the influence and the power to do good here.
With that said, having opinions is a great part of being a human being. It’s okay to be different. It’s actually ideal. On the other hand, my mother always said to me and my siblings, ‘If you can’t say anything nice then don’t say anything at all.’ I encourage those of you with strong feelings in this topic to absolutely speak up but not at the expense of fellow women.
Secondly: Mothers everywhere, WE ARE MOM ENOUGH (darnit)! So keep doing what you’re doing in the best way you know how to do it. All of our children will benefit.
Lastly: Let’s get back to what truly matters and FOCUS ON OUR BABIES big and small (my brother is still my mom’s baby boy). Amidst this ‘controversy’ we seem to have forgotten those spirits, our babies, that matter most, a sad residual of this ‘mommy war’.
There are many great retorts to the cover piece. I encourage you to search around the web for them.
Have a wonderful day and you know I love you, all of you.
Marnie