Saturday, September 13, 2008

Hockey Moms of the World . . . Unite!

Matt Damon recently said Governor Palin is simply a hockey mom who plans on using what she learned through that role to be president of the United States. Candace's blog waxed eloquent on what a dumb, uneducated thing that was to say, and you can go check out her thoughts. What I want to address is this . . .

Since when is it a bad thing to be a hockey mom? And since when does being a hockey mom mean that you can't be the president of the United States?

Now, I don't happen to be a hockey mom, or any other sport of mom, for that matter. For a few brief months I was a karate mom, but when my children started using each other for practice instead of controlling their newfound skills, we called an end to that one. What I am is a mom. A full-fledged, T-shirt-wearing, toilet-scrubbing, laundry-washing, diaper-changing mom. I grocery shop. I pay the bills. I wipe snotty noses. In fact, I even scrapbook.

I'm also articulate, well-read, intelligent, and well-respected. And so are the other moms I know.

Being a mother doesn't mean that you can't be smart, savvy, and in the know. Being a mother means that you share what you know with your children, that you stand as an example to them of what it means to be well-rounded and educated. It means that you, by example, show your children how to balance your work, your religion, your household duties, and your hobbies. It means that you show them the meaning of integrity, industry, hard work, dedication, devotion, selflessness.

I fully support the Proclamation on the Family and I believe that women were divinely appointed to nurture their children. I also believe that this in no way diminishes the intelligence of a woman or the potential she has for education and progress.

I don't have political aspirations. I'm happy doing what I do. But I will stand up and raise my voice against individuals who, like Matt Damon, believe that just because a woman is a mother, she can't accomplish some serious good in this world. Some of the most powerful, influential people we've ever had on this planet were mothers. We would not be where we are as an entire civilization if it were not for strong, upstanding mothers.

And why does the media tend to take celebrities' opinions on politics so seriously, anyway? Okay, they've made a bunch of movies. That doesn't make them any more intelligent than you or me. It just makes them famous, not more authoritative.

16 comments:

Marta O. Smith said...

Tristi, you are a wise woman, and quite articulate. Perhaps you should write something for the national market, preferably a best seller, become a celebrity in your own right, and give interviews.

Lee Ann Setzer said...

You want to re-think those political aspirations? I'd vote for you.

Lu Ann Brobst Staheli said...

Bravo!

C. Michelle Jefferies said...

You go girl! I so agree with you. Just think almost every great person in the history of the world had a concerned and loving mother. I am under the impression that most hollywood types are pretty stupid. They think that the conservative right is the enemy. They want to corrupt our youth.

Nichole Giles said...

Here here! We mothers never get enough credit for running the small countries that are our households.

I am not a hockey mom, but I am a soccer/theater/basketball/scout mom, and let me tell you, it is NO PIECE OF CAKE!

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

Nichole

Haley Hatch Freeman said...

Loved the blog. What is interesting to me is the fact that the media is going crazy digging into Palin's life and we've heard nothing of Obama's VP pick, Joe Biden.

Bennett family said...

I agree! I imagine I'll probably be a hockey mom soon.
So, I awarded you a blog award! Go over to my blog and get it, k?

Cathy said...

Well said, Tristi.

The Blessings of Family Life said...

I love it!!! Very well said and we shall all write what we can to support a wonderful Mom and vice-president to be. She deserves a good chance at the job.

Kimberly Vanderhorst said...

Wow. That was very well put.

The current political arena down there sure is inspiring women around the world to scrutinize their own beliefs and opinions.

Danyelle Ferguson said...

EXCELLENT post! I totally agree!!!

Carrie and Troy Keiser said...

AMEN! Sister! I read Candace's post on this too. Most "celebrities" should be drop kicked off the edge of California w/o a life jacket!

Shellie said...

I think if mothers were running the world, it'd be a better place :)

Rachelle Christensen said...

You're awesome Tristi! You're a published author Mom too. This was a great post. I wrote about being a mom a few days ago too and there never can be enough said about how important this role is.

Shirley Bahlmann said...

Yeah, that's the way to be! Celeb's are people, too.

Unknown said...

Tristi,

You forgot to mention you are an accomplished and well published historical fiction author. You're being a mom and a writer, touching the world in your own way. Every bit as critical as being a mother, hockey or otherwise.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...