GLOBAL MAMA: Wish List for Mother’s Day
Imagine
1. A morning spent reading the newspaper and drinking coffee without constant interruption from the kids.
2. A newspaper filled with stories about the new global peace: no environmental disasters, no bombs exploding, no torture, no hate crimes, no war.
3. A house overflowing with peace (no screaming fights over Lego pieces, etc.).
4. Clean dishes. Even after pancakes.
5. Phone call from father-in-law acknowledging that nearly 20 years of political conversations have resulted in his conversion on certain points, such as the need for nationwide family-friendly policies (affordable childcare, paid parental leave, flexible work/life policies, universal healthcare, etc.).
6. A country with the political will to pass policies such as the ones listed above.
7. A world in which being born a girl is not a risk factor for malnourishment, hunger, neglect, discrimination, poverty, abuse, sexual violence, forced labor, trafficking, or death.
8. A world in which social inequalities are shrinking, and progress is being made toward the UN’s Millennium Development Goals.
9. Sufficient time to play with kids, talk with husband and friends, and care for self (read, exercise, shower, write in journal, and meditate).
10. Ability to do the above with a sense of abundance instead of stress.
And, last but not least:
11. No BlackBerry or iPhone. All day.
Last 5 posts by Heather Hewett
- GLOBAL MAMA: Nannies on Motherhood - April 1st, 2010
- GLOBAL MAMA: The Mother Symposium, Take Two! - March 29th, 2010
- GLOBAL MAMA: Happy International Women's Day! - March 8th, 2010
- GLOBAL MAMA: The Mother Symposium - February 23rd, 2010
- GLOBAL MAMA: Gender-Responsive Aid in Haiti - February 19th, 2010
May 8th, 2010 at 10:04 pm
Ah, a girl can dream! happy mother’s day to you and everyone at Girl w/Pen!
May 9th, 2010 at 1:07 am
[...] 9, 2010 by Sungold I just read Heather Hewitt’s wonderful Mother’s Day wishlist on Girl w/Pen. She’s got some wishes that would do Julia Ward Howe proud: global peace, diminishing [...]
May 9th, 2010 at 9:37 am
Indeed they would make Julia Ward Howe proud! Thank you for this, Heather. I just printed it out to share with my college students (Developmental Psych.) this week, as we speak of so many of these important issues.
May 9th, 2010 at 11:32 am
Thanks, everyone, for your comments! Clearly I have not managed to stay unplugged today (I have a love/hate relationship with technology), and I have been thinking about the 50 other items that did not make my Top 10 (well, eleven). Definitely check out Anne Lamott’s great article over at Salon, “Why I hate Mother’s Day,” that takes issue with the sentimentality of this holiday and how it elevates women with children above those without. Also check out the great post over at Kittywampus — she does such a great job of reminding us of ALL the people who take on the work of mothering, not just biological mothers.
May 10th, 2010 at 7:58 am
[...] Girl with Pen compiled a wish list for Mother’s Day including ideas like “A world in which being born a girl is not a risk factor for malnourishment, hunger, neglect, discrimination, poverty, abuse, sexual violence, forced labor, trafficking or death.” and “A newspaper filled with stories about the new global peace: no environmental disasters, no bombs exploding, no torture, no hate crimes, no war.” [...]
May 11th, 2010 at 6:37 pm
LOVE LOVE this Heather. LOL on #5 and can we make a date re #9…when we have time?! Your list is beautiful and true my friend. Just like you. Happy belated, and thank you for sharing this with GwP!