Are you an Opinionated Mama?

The O-mama ladies sure know how to treat a lady!

I was so excited to be invited to the Tribute to Mommy Bloggers sponsored by the O-mama mamas (Debbie and Michelle). As soon as I walked in to their headquarters (the private home of one of the founders), I was greeted by lovely, smiling ladies who welcomed me and ushered me into the peaceful setting in the backyard where I was promptly offered a manicure. Immediately, I sat down, overlooking the pool and the area designated for a pilates class and sipped on some lovely Mocktails while I was treated to a manicure and pedicure (provided by Spa-Go’s).

Pedicure Time

My son wasn’t able to skip school to attend, the kids that were there were sequestered to the opposite side of the backyard where they were equally pampered. Face painting, crafts and a bouncy house kept them occupied while the mamas sat back and relaxed, sipping on Mocktails and enjoying the lovely cooking demonstration by Wade Williams of Picnic of L.A.

Besides all the pampering, we got to discuss some pretty hot topics with some hot moms – hot because they aren’t afraid to say what’s on their mind and hot because they’re beautiful (smart women usually are)!

I joined O-mama and selected the topics that are of interest to me. You can head over there, join groups that you belong to (divorced mamas, stay-at-home mamas, Republican mamas, Democratic mamas, etc.) and share your opinion. Every discussion is respectful, thoughtful and inspiring, so head over to discuss, debate and share some insight with some other hot mamas!

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

Road to the White House

With the Obama Inauguration just a few days from today, I thought it was perfect timing to mention the great book series written by Mitali Perkins, called First Daughter. In the first book, Extreme American Makeover, Sameera Righton, the only daughter of Republican Presidential candidate, James Righton, is asked by her father’s campaign staff, to reinvent herself.

Actually, she’s being reinvented by them no matter how she feels about it. With the new clothes, make-up, hair styles and even a new blog written by a paid ghost-writer, her new All-American image is supposed to help boost her father’s image despite the fact that Sparrow (as her family refers to her) is asked to subtly remove her true identity from the campaign.

Luckily, Sparrow has her own blog and even though it’s only read by a few dozen inside her inner circle, it provides her with great freedom and a chance to express herself and get the love and support she needs to deal with a media campaign that’s testing her and her family on a daily basis.

Sparrow is like most 17-year-olds, which is what made this story so realistic and her voice so appealing. No, most teenagers you know were probably not born in Pakistan, or adopted or have parents in the political forefront. But what does hold true is that both Sparrow and others around that age do a lot of soul searching to find their own voice that is both genuine and confident, holding on to the values, culture and beliefs that make them so unique.

Many young people, whether they’re in front of the camera or not, go through a sort of crisis of identity, somewhere between being a child and becoming an adult. These ‘tween years can be a challenge to everyone, parent and child.

This book is recommended for anyone dealing with someone at this stage (parent, ‘tween, or teacher) since it is a wonderfully written, insightful story that deals with friendship, first crushes, politics, culture, religion, family and remaining true to oneself, despite the outside forces that tend to influence us.

The second book in the series, White House Rules, marks the beginning of Sparrow’s life as a First Daughter. Will she be able to maintain her identity and her friendships as life as the President’s Daughter keeps her pampered, protected and living a fairy tale lifestyle? She may need a disguise to help her survive the next four years.

Luckily, Malia and Sasha Obama are young enough to enjoy the pleasures of childhood as they move into the White House and start their new life in Washington D.C. I look forward to seeing the First Daughters grow up and find their own voices. I may even start to search for blogs written by them from behind the scenes.

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

I Heart Obama

The votes are still being counted but I can’t help but want to celebrate. Never before, in my lifetime, have I been as moved as when Barack Obama speaks.

I’ve heard Presidents and leaders of all races, sex and religions speak, either live or in footage from years and moments past. Dr. Martin Luther King spoke with great authority, sincerity and in a respectful and loving manner.

The parenting classes I am certified to teach demand that parents seek the respect they deserve from their children while instilling a safe and comfortable environment for them to grow, explore, ask, learn and choose from.

My son knows much about the election process and this year’s candidates since I’ve been watching nothing else but the campaign trail, watching footage on TV, viewing videos online, reading articles in newspapers, opinions from all sorts and feel inspired, excited and aroused by the Obama campaign.

Each and every time I hear or see Obama, I fall a bit deeper in love. He is someone who I trust, admire, respect and yes, love. He has an energy that surrounds him that can be seen by all (who have not walked through life wearing blinders).

This morning, I made a comment on how Barack Obama was going to be the next President and my next husband. My son didn’t miss a beat. He said, “No, he’s not going to be your next husband.” I didn’t want to argue since he chose this statement to disagree with (as opposed to the comment I made about his role in U.S.).

I asked my son who he thought my next husband would be and again, without hesitation, he said – in a tone that reminded me of his father – “You should find a guy name NEVER.”

Laughter is truly the best medicine and the things my son comes up with are priceless. I’ll get over it – the fact that Barack Obama will not be my next husband, but I have no doubt that he will be known after tomorrow, as President Obama.

Congratulations – in advance – to the Obama family, The First Lady and First Daughters. I am honored that my son will have the memory of this historical moment to look back on as his first introduction to American politics.

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

Mama for Obama

I know you all heard it. I know you are all still pumped from the energy surrounding the DNC and that’s exactly why I want to share with you some of my favorite excerpts from Obama’s acceptance speech.

And, for those Mamas out there who would like to use this lovely badge that I created, please link it back to this post and kindly give me credit for the creation of it:

Sen. Barack Obama:

...[the] promise that has always set this country

apart, that through hard work and sacrifice, each

of us can pursue our individual dreams but still

come together as one American family, to ensure

that the next generation can pursue their dreams

as well.

America, we are better than these last eight years.

We are a better country than this. And we are

here because we love our country too much to

let the next four years look like the last eight.

On November 4, we must stand up and say:

“Eight is enough.”

Our government should work for us, not against

us. It should help us, not hurt us. It should ensure

opportunity, not just for those with the most

money and influence, but for every American

who’s willing to work.

and I’m glad he was able to experience Obama’s presence and hear the powerful message he shared.

Senator Barack Obama, you’ve got this mama’s vote.

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home

Pro-Obama

Dear Word Warrior,

I’m a bit concerned about your concern for this plan. The last sentence of this plan, which you included in your post, clearly states that this would be a “voluntary universal pre-school,” so, since you are not in agreement with having your child placed in this type of program, you would not be obligated to do so.

My son has been in full-time educational programs since he was 18 months old. He’s now 4 1/2 and is a smart, polite and thoughtful little boy. He spent the first year and a half of his life with either his father or I, and I was lucky enough to be able to bring him with me to work every day (since I was breastfeeding) until he was 7 months old.

For many parents who don’t have the option to stay home with their children, this “voluntary universal pre-school” is a great program and I fully stand behind Obama (for this and many other reasons).

I am also Pro-Choice and donate money on a regular basis to both NARAL and Planned Parenthood. I believe these organizations are doing many great thing for men and women of all ages. And, just to be clear, I am a Mom. I have never had an abortion nor would I ever have one. I do believe, however, that each one of us should have the power to make that decision for ourselves. Who am I (or anyone else) to judge another’s actions?

I appreciate the fact that there are programs in place that Obama has outlined that are meant to help prevent unplanned pregnancies from occurring in the first place:

Barack Obama is an original co-sponsor of legislation to expand access to contraception, health information and preventive services to help reduce unintended pregnancies. The Prevention First Act will increase funding for family planning and comprehensive sex education that teaches both abstinence and safe sex methods. The Act will also end insurance discrimination against contraception, improve awareness about emergency contraception, and provide compassionate assistance to rape victims.

I hadn’t planned on using my blog to discuss politics or share my personal views on the upcoming elections, but I feel quite compelled to speak up against those who, instead of defending their beliefs and justifying the reasons for voting for whoever it is they plan on voting for, they are instead, spending their time badmouthing those who they don’t agree with.

We have the power, in this country, to vote for who we believe would make the best President. Of course, no one’s perfect and it’s rather unlikely that we will agree 100% with each and every opinion, thought, action or philosophy of those who are on the ballot.

What really gets under my skin is that you would use manipulation and try to get to people, emotionally, with the graphic nature of the video posted on your blog. I wouldn’t dare link to it, or suggest that anyone view it, no matter what side they take on abortion and the types of abortion procedures that take place in our world.

I would be very interested to know what you suggest or what your *ideal* President believes about babies born to parents who didn’t intentionally conceive them. We all make mistakes and bad decisions. Many of us have experienced the consequences of the choices that we make and learn from these mistakes, or from others’.

What do you think would be the best option for these unwanted babies (approximately 1.3 million abortions are performed each year in the U.S.)?

Obama may not have all of the answers, but I truly believe that his dedication to the people and our rights is of great value to our country.

I’ll see you at the polls.

Sincerely,

Hip_M0M

Happy Healthy Hip Parenting
Peace Begins in the Home