Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Rants (Just 2)

So I'm going into finals, but I want to get a few things off my chest before I hunker down and study for finals... FOR THE LAST TIME! Well, in Law School at least.

Rant #1 The whole Ann Romney "Just a Mom" thing

This really really angered me. The comments by Ms. Rosen were ignorant and stupid. And she knows it. But what gets me is she called it a "faux" debate. While in the context of whether or not Mitt Romney should be president, I agree. But unfortunately there is no "faux" debate about the value of motherhood. I constantly hear in the media that parenting can be pushed off on teachers, nannies, and society. And Ms. Rosen's comments just reenforce the plaguing idea that being a full-time mom is not enough. That women should and can do more. But that's not right at all. Each family is different. I love that Mrs. Romney takes the perspective that she made a choice to stay home and be a full time mom. Look at her boys! She made the right choice! Ms. Rosen, on the other hand? Where is your wife? Where are your adopted children?

I also got upset as I listened to the discussion on the Today show. First of all, morning talk shows are awful. Matt Lauer does this segment where he "talks to professionals". But they're not professionals at all- they are TV personalities. Star Jones hasn't been an attorney for quite some time. Bobby Flay is a tv chef. And his two lady associates do most of the cooking. He's a reality show judge, really. I've never had the time to watch this stuff, but now that I have a baby to feed in the morning I turn it on. And I'm grossly disappointed in the crap being put on tv.

Oh, I got sidetracked. But that's what happens in a rant.

Well, Mr. Lauer said on the show, "This comment has made a lot of stay-at home moms upset."

I am not a stay at home mom.

I am upset.

What's the deal with that? I mean, can't I be upset too? Just because I don't finely fit into your categorical division, doesn't mean I don't have an opinion on it.

Also, I think it belittles the faction of people who are upset- instead of being a group of male and females, married and unmarried people, it's just those stay at home moms out there.

Ah! Drives me nuts!!!

Rant #2 Relief Society Conference

This one is kind of the flip side of the above problem. So I went to the Stake Relief Society Conference (Actually, only 3 wards really did anything... so it was really the Kyle, New Braunfels, and Buda ward conference. Thanks for inviting San Marcos y'all).

I looked at the list of classes offered and... I didn't really feel like any of them applied.

"Just a Mom": nope, I'm also a law student. I'm not "just" anything.


Communicating with your kids: Phoenix is almost 4 months. I think we're ok in this department. She can't talk yet.


Thrifty Creative: Oh! You've been on Pinterest too! Sweet. I wonder if we've pinned the same things.


Photo Taking: I've had my camera for 3 years. I did film classes. But I guess I'll show up.


Alone in the Church: Oh! Maybe this one! Oh wait... it's for people who are the only member in their family.. nope.


Peace in Trials: Mmm... if I was in a heart-wrenching place in my life, this might work. But I do like the instructor. So I guess I'll go.


What did I want?

How about a class about finances and paying back student loans?

Or a class on Early Childhood Development?

Or on piano playing basics?

Or on cooking? I could really use a basic cooking class.

I just wasn't feeling anything that was offered. I'm still glad I went, because I know it's where I needed to be. But... I wish I could have gotten more out of it. It all seemed to be the same old same old.

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As I told Russ about how I felt he said, "You know this is how your life is now, right?"

I sigh and agree. He says, "You will always be one of the few women who work, who has an advanced degree, who won't have a class that fits her needs."

I wish I could be optimistic and say that he's wrong. But really, if he's right it's not a bad thing. Being a stay at home mom is a great thing. As I said above, I think we need more people to fight for the importance of having a parent stay at home full time.

I don't see a change happening. I guess I need to just learn that I'm in the minority in this. And if I someday can contribute and influence how things go, I'll be glad to help.

This is a rant. I don't expect anyone to read it. I just needed a place to put my thoughts.

8 comments:

Chelsea Lane said...

You are in the minority, but that doesn't mean that you're alone in it.

Solidarity, sister.

Cassie said...

I read it. :)

My sister is a stay at home mom.
My mom was a working mom.
Who knows what I will be.

We all have value. The end.

Jamie said...

I know how you feel being the minority in things and I'm not sure how classes are created for Relief Society Conference, but maybe you could suggest a basic cooking course as one which could be followed up by specific classes at each ward?!?

Just a thought

Jamie

Chow said...

Aww.. ya'll are the sweetest! And such intelligent ladies. I am blessed with marvelous friends!!!

Hilary said...

I always enjoy your rants...whether in person or in the blogging world! I wish I could have made it to the RS thing so we could have hung out!

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Hannah Neville McMillan said...

Loved this post! and I have to say, none of those classes seem very interesting to me either!