Thursday, May 17, 2012

Motherhood- Welcome to the Jungle (Gym)

Perhaps this next mamma-logue belongs in two separate rants, however I feel this is related.
  When I became a mother, I unwittingly became part of something much MUCH bigger than I. I became part of the all-encompassing "Motherhood". Whether you carry your child in your belly or your heart, being someone's mother automatically guarantees you entrance into all kinds of fun. Your Mamma-kind can be your best or worst friend.
  Case in point, you have an entrepreneurial idea. Your fellow Mammas will support and promote you. You have a need, often they will find a way to fill it- clothes, food, shelter or sympathy. It has been a surprising side-benefit of motherhood. But tread lightly sisters, and do not take your fellow females for granted. Because that hand that extends help can just as quickly give you an unprecedented smack-DOWN.
  I have seen and experienced and given first hand (ha ha) the smack-down. I never seek out the drama mammas, but if you provoke me, I have little patience for you. We, as women, might not be in some type of declared war but make no mistake. Friends can become ene-mammas pretty quickly.
  Don't misunderstand me. I am not decrying the sisterhood of which I am so fond and for which I am grateful. No no. I am merely saying, many if not all of us know how we want to be treated- how we deserve to be treated- and we have no problem demanding that from each other. For example, never over-invite yourself to another mother's home. Especially when said playdate involves your sweet little monsters causing any level of havoc. We all know how much fun it is to clean up after our own, let alone someone else's br... children. And if said ... children happen to so much as lay a hand on our own spaw... sweetlings well then... be warned. Tread very lightly upon the hospitality of the Mamma Bear you just poked. Now, let me be clear. Arguments happen between these adorable little characters as they play. But heaven forbid it become a pattern with any regularity. Your best bet? Do not transfer blame, do not make excuses, do not pretend you didn't see. Woman up. Apologize. And make a hasty retreat. If you value your friendship at all, you will do what is right by your fellow Mamma and her little bear cub. It isn't easy being in the Sisterhood of the Big Girl Pants but it is worth it.
  Here are some easy rules. New Mammas, Commit these to memory:

1. Always treat your fellow Mother how you wish to be treated.

2. Don't forget Rule #1 or heaven have mercy on your soul and that of your progeny.

That is all,
Sister Amanda
May the force be with you

Friday, May 11, 2012

Public boob, private boob

What is it with our society and breasts? Now I am only talking about the United States because that is what I know. That said, what is our obsession? We Bind them, flash them, truss them, lie about their size, fake their shape, hide them, hate them, love em, and ignore them.
There is so much about them as objects, characters, power, etc. it seems the craziest thing. I mean, what are they? Two bags of flesh with a sippy end. What's so great about that? They are objects of importance for nourishment and care. They are designed for babies. They have been made into sex objects and we have taken back that power to manipulate others (I said it!).
All I want to know is- why do we allow them the power? Why can't we remove our Puritan or prurient attachments and allow whomever to nurse or display their body as they wish. Is it possible or not to go back, to deobjectify our breasts?
Discuss while I finish nursing...