What role do politics play in the momosphere?
I've been talking about politics a lot in my personal blog lately. I'm
not quiet about my political views; it says right in my blog's tagline
exactly where I stand.
But not all of my blog readers fall into my political landscape. Many of them, in fact, could not be more opposite my political views. Because of that, I try to write about my opinions with a bit of sensitivity; but it doesn't always work. Sometimes, I just get really fired up and let my fingers fly across the keyboard, forgetting that my sharp tongue and tough words actually hurt people's feelings.
A lot of folks have been telling me on my blog that this election (here in the US) is the most polarizing election of their lifetime. People are cancelling holiday plans with family members because there is so much bitterness and anger toward people with opposing view points. I realize while it's not quite brother against brother in the civil war, it's still rather horrifying.
When I find myself stressed out and angry about what I see or read in the news about our current election, it doesn't take much for me to see how it effects my daughter. During the Republican Convention, tempers ran so hot in my house that suddenly my daughter was hitting me. It took me a week of calming down to see that there might have been a bit of cause and effect there (tempers were equally high the week before during the Democratic Convention, and I think it just built up in her; while it wasn't the only factor, it was playing a part in her behavior).
I confess: I can be judgmental and dismissive of those that don't agree with me. I can be rude and pushy when it comes to stating my views. I can be demanding and bullying when I try to make a point. This? This is all EXACTLY the opposite of what I want to try to convey to my daughter.
I want my daughter to be what I am not, sometimes: a good listener. On my best days, I can set aside my thoughts and feelings and really listen to what the person in front of me is saying, even when we don't agree: I can hear the pain, the fear, the worry--and THAT is something we share.
From my totally unscientific view point (my own experience), it does seem to me that about 80% or more of Mommy Blogs just stay out of politics entirely. I find this one the hand, a smart choice: Lord knows my blood pressure could use a break from arguing with my commenters. But on the other hand, I do think it is critical to not just see black and white, but the shades of gray that are out there in the political field, and if some of the moms whose blogs I love have different opinions than I do, I'd like to read about it. Not because I want to engage or argue with them; just because they might point out something that I've missed and overlooked, and reshape my thinking.
It's funny how much this is about listening, isn't it?
What do you think? Should the Momosphere hop onto the political stage, or should we focus on just the politics of home: raising our kids to be the best people they can be?
I think politics are a hugely important topic, for us and our children, so of course it is appropriate to post on our blogs. And while I think it should be done with respect, it is good to be passionate and even relentless about it!
Linda Hitt
|68.100.219.xxx
|2008-10-01 12:16:17
Raising our kids to be the best people they can be includes being politically and socially aware, if not involved citizens. It includes learning to listen to points of view different from their own and considering the merits of the opposing position, especially when they feel passionate about the subject and their stance. And it includes encouraging them to debate any topic in a manner in which they eliminate emotion and base their arguments on facts and educated opinions.
Mom Types 
Thanks for the info I'll add it.
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