September 14, 2008

Weird Mom Stories: Writer’s Contest

Today I noticed that one of the “hits” on this site came from someone who was looking for “wierd mom stories” (sic). OK … why not? We could all use a giggle. So … this month’s EMN Carnival is dedicated to “weird mom stories.” You could send in … *  Most embarrassing “mommy moment” (or most embarrassing thing we’ve subjected our own children to) *  Most compelling evidence of the “things we do for love” for our kids (pictures earn extra points) *  Strangest love offering from your kids (hey, they must get it somewhere) *  Things you never thought you’d say to your kids (but […]
September 14, 2008

Trig Palin: “Like the rest … in every way that matters.”

My friend Suzanne sent me this article about the VP-nominee’s infant son, from Michael Gerson of the Washington Post. It is a powerful reminder of how far these extraordinary kids have come, as a group, in the last 100 years … and how far they still have to go. I ran into Suzanne at Curves the other day, and she told me that her daughter Anna (who has other, non-chromosomal challenges), who attends a regular high school, has been the basketball manager for the school team. “It’s been amazing to see how well the other girls interact with Anna,” Suzanne said to me. “The funny […]
September 13, 2008

Depression and Bi-Polar Disorder: How to Cope

Today I’d like to talk about a different kind of Extraordinary Mom: Women who struggle with emotional or mental problems, who find it difficult to get through all they have to do each day … and who sometimes aren’t able to live up to their own high expectations. Today at “Ask Sister Mary Martha,” sister fields a question from a reader who was diagnosed with bi-polar disorder. In her great wisdom, sister turns to a Brother Martin, who is also a sufferer. One line struck me as particularly relevant in the life of anyone who suffers from a chronic illness, especially depression: Brother Martin said […]
September 11, 2008

“Feminist template obliterated”: Favorite Palin Quote of the Day

In “USA Today” [my favorite newspaper], Kathleen Parker observes… “What kind of woman do we want in high office? What kind of woman is acceptable? “Feminists have always called the shots on this [these] question[s]. The quintessential woman was pro-choice, interchangeablewith any man — and her name was Hillary Rodham Clinton: Feminists necessarily have viewed Clinton’s defeat as a sexist manifestation of patriarchal betrayal because, really, what other explanation could there  be? Clinton was perfectly molded according to the feminist template. Clearly, she lost because she’s a woman, disappointed women told themselves. “But the greatest insult was yet to come. Republicans — those anti-woman, patricarchal […]
September 11, 2008

In Memory…

Today at Mommy Monsters is a brief reflection on today’s sad anniversary. Time passes. The smoke clears. Life moves on. Or not. Oh beautiful for patriot’s dreams that sees beyond the years Thine alabaster cities gleam undimmed by human tears! America, America, God mend thine every flaw. Confirm thy soul in self-control; thy liberty in law! Click here for a profoundly moving tribute.
September 8, 2008

Mighty Mom Monday: “10 Special Blessings”

When a family finds out that one of its members has special needs, it can be easy to panic. Some couples even go so far as to contemplate abortion when they find out they are carrying a Down Syndrome or other special needs child (or, worse, go through with that terrible choice). In today’s guest post, contributing writer “Mighty Mom” shares ten ways that she and her husband have benefitted from their special needs kids (SNKs).  10)  They make me laugh. – It’s true, every day.  for example.  My oldest has a speech delay (among other things).  One day out of the blue he started walking around saying “I’m […]
September 7, 2008

Lorraine Hartsook: An Extraordinary Mom

Lorraine Hartsook is an extraordinary woman by any measure — adoptive mother, recording artist, speaker, and grandmother-to-be. She has a voice like Patsy Cline … and a heart for hurting souls. I met Lorraine at a meeting of Catholic authors and speakers hosted by Stan Williams last spring, and was immediately struck by her compassion for and desire to serve women who feel “stuck” in the past and who need to experience the love of Jesus. Today I’d like to share one of Lorraine’s songs with you: Lorraine Hartsook – Bring That Child to Me, from her album “Embrace the Cross.” You can order the […]
September 6, 2008

Happy Grandparents’ Day!

In 1978, President Jimmy Carter declared the first Sunday after Labor Day National Grandparents Day. Have you hugged a grandparent today? The September 2008 issue of Metro Parent has an article about how the role of grandparents has changed in contemporary society. According to AARP: *  1 in 12 children lives in a home headed by a grandparent, * In Michigan, 5.5% of children live with a grandparent-caregiver, * 73% of custodial grandparents are under the age of 60, * 33% live in a home without the grandchild(ren)’s parent, and * 14% live in poverty. Of the 70,044 grandparents who are raising their grandchildren … […]