Parenthood
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The Time I Childproofed Myself

The Time I Childproofed Myself

Jordan Greenberg
September 27, 2023

Happy Wednesday,

Ever since my daughter started crawling the house like a crazy person, our home has turned into a fortress of childproofing. Cabinets, dressers, you name it. We haven't reached the 'anchor-everything-to-the-wall' stage yet (fingers crossed my father-in-law can tackle that in about 1.5 months), but these new locks? They're a learning curve. Early this morning, in my pre-coffee daze, I wrestled with my dresser, pulling harder and harder, only to realize I'd effectively childproofed myself out. Here's hoping my muscle memory catches up soon!

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One Big Idea

Mom-Shaming Is Never A Good Idea

In today's digital age, the act of "mom-shaming" has taken on a new, subtle form. The recent split of celebrity couple Sophie Turner and Joe Jonas brought to light the age-old issue of criticizing mothers for their parenting choices. While the rumors surrounding their breakup were filled with speculations about Turner's lifestyle choices, the backlash was swift, with many recognizing the underlying tones of misogyny and "mom-shaming." This isn't a new phenomenon; mothers throughout history have faced scrutiny for their parenting decisions. The rise of social media has only amplified this, allowing for instantaneous judgment from behind screens (and likely in basements). This gendered double standard is evident when fathers receive praise for basic parenting tasks, while mothers are held to impossibly high standards. Such shaming not only affects mothers but also perpetuates harmful stereotypes about fathers, suggesting they are less capable caregivers.

The societal portrayal of motherhood often paints a picture of the ideal mother as one who sacrifices everything for her kids. However, this narrative is fraught with contradictions. Mothers who choose to work are sometimes viewed with disdain, as are those who opt to stay at home. Petra Bueskens, an expert in motherhood, highlights the dilemma modern mothers face, torn between ideals of individual freedom and self-sacrificing motherhood. These conflicting ideals have deep historical roots, with women striving for equality while still being burdened by traditional expectations of motherhood. As the spotlight remains on Sophie Turner amidst the rumors and speculations, it's essential to remember the broader implications of such public scrutiny. We'll be watching this case unfold closely, but it's never a good idea to publicly shame a woman for her parenting choices.