nine months for life

This article in the NewYork Times talks about how women in politics today (Pelosi, Clinton etc) are wearing “motherhood to work” and how doing that could actually work for them.

And why wouldn’t it, I wonder? The truth does always work …in my limited experience at least. Projecting the image that reflects the truth should work for anyone …at home, at work or in Washington. Infact, being a mom has helped me assert myself better at work, I am more disciplined and in some ways I am a lot more unforgiving and understanding at the same time. I really hope that the publicists that these politicians (actresses etc) work with get that simple fact …

Men and women are different for a reason. They have different things to offer to the family, to the workplace and the country. I think we should quit trying to be like the other gender and offer, in whole, what we can offer to the world at every step of our lives. And “different” does not, for even a second, mean that we are less or more capable.

If tables were turned and enough men wanted to be treated like women and do the things that women do ( ah, imagine that ;)), I do believe that men would have the same issues that women do … Men probably feel discriminated in a number of ways as well. Is there pressure on them to be employed all the time? Is it okay for them to shed tears in public? Are they percieved as “fluff” if they show their sensitive side? I wonder ….

Sara Schaefer-Munoz (The Juggle) talks about something I constantly worry about in her post today. I wonder if it is really possible for children who are born into households that have everything to relate to all the hard work it took to make that possible in the first place? As a result of having everything they need, will such children have no motivation to succeed financially? While what we define financial success is totally subjective, I wonder if children that have everything growing up will even understand the importance of saving for retirement?

I was lucky to learn from my parents’ hardships. Year after year my dad struggled with setting up his own business. I saw my parents give up so many little things in order to be able to afford things for us. I was truly blessed to be able to learn the value of money without having to give up too much as a child . So all that struggle my parents endured until the very recent past wasn’t for nothing ;)

Very well, then. If I cannot simulate a financial struggle to teach my children the value of money, I hope to at least, by example, teach them what to do with the money. I think kids should see and constantly be told about how much hard work it takes to bring a paycheck home. They should be spoken to…about financial decisions we make (as long as we make responsible ones ;)). It is never to early to expose them to the world where people are less fortunate and instill in them a sense of responsibility.

I think teaching kids the value of money is like teaching them the value of just about anything else …through example. Kids learn to respect, kids learn compassion, kids learn to be hardworking and kids learn the value of money …ALL by example. They do unto you as you do unto them. That is the bottom line. Am I making any sense?

Ahhhh…what have I gotten myself into! I hope I am up for this job as a parent!!!

Until this morning I was sure Savi needs a haircut. Honestly, there is no way a child would want a head full of THAT much hair! It was time to bring out those shears and give Savi her second haircut in four months.

With the idea of creating some before and after haircut shots, I brushed Savi’s mane down and put some *things* in her hair. I took her pics, downloaded them and now I am ALL confused!! Should I cut her hair at all? If I am say so myself, she does look adorable!!!

Should I just grit my teeth and try my best to get past this awkward period when her hair is running down her ears and stands up in tufts here and there so that she will have pretty and manageable hair in sometime? We all know about that most uncomfortable stage when hair goes from short to long, don’t we? Most importantly, how do I manage the hair from getting into her eyes? Any ideas for some funky hairdos? (ALL under the assumption that she will let me cut her hair if I decide to cut it OR that she will tolerate me putting things on her hair if I decide not to cut her hair !)

Why so much thought into this? Mostly because I have the luxury to ponder on something soooo utterly meaningless at this point … With time I am afraid I will have little time or energy to worry about her hair … and yes, it is plenty of fun!

I think my parents did a faily good job (if I am say so myself ;)) for not having read articles (as opossed to working on Friday afternoons;)) …. I found a couple of really good articles ..

For one, compassion is key …

“But with so much hatred and turmoil in the world today, it seems more important than ever to raise kids who can understand and be kind to other people. Teaching this doesn’t mean lectures or visits to soup kitchens. It’s part of day-to-day life: how you answer your child’s questions, how you solve conflict at the park, how you nudge his or her growing capacity to understand and think about other people.”

And here is a look into my future … I really really hope I can manage to handle her when she asks for a new mommy ;)

Have a great weekend!

NOW, if Savi does not keep me sufficiently entertained over the weekend … I might just be back here blogging :)