Divisions

I am homeschooling two of my children in Catholic Catechism, although I have to keep remembering that we call it "Faith Formation" now. My first assignment for my five year old daughter is to teach her the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. I am blanching at this, because this, of course, is where it begins. The idea that a woman is less than, easily corruptible, designed as a helper, created second--it all comes from this one story.

The blogosphere that is filled with "Mommy Bloggers" seems to be of two very distinctive camps. There are those that call themselves "Traditional Moms" and those that embrace a more modern view of motherhood. The two camps seem very entrenched in their particular philosophies and there seems to be very little overlap. In the face of all this, I don't want to teach my daughter a story that may be used against her as she works to attain her dreams in the future.

It is clear to me that these blogs serve a very good purpose. They give like minded Mothers a place to connect and get new ideas about parenting. They offer a place to blow off steam and to recharge. They may be one of the few ways a woman at home with young children can connect with other adults during the course of the day. Even in the face of this, does the possibility exist that these blogs are furthering the divide between motherhood camps?

I want to find a way to teach my daughter that it is ok to be a stay at home Mom if she chooses. It is ok to be a CEO or professional if she chooses. It is ok to be something in between if she chooses. The important thing is that she be the one to make that decision. I don't want her to make it because she thinks a bible story compels her, or because it is the popular movement at the time. I want her to make a decision that works for her particular family at that particular time.

It is my hope that as the blogosphere continues to evolve that we see a greater understanding and sharing among Mothers with less judgement and encampment. I encourage everyone to read blogs written by those who do not look like you, or think like you. I think that a great opportunity to truly learn about new ways of mothering are lost when we connect only with those who share our styles and personalities.

In the end I want my daughter to see that I was able to make the mothering choices that I did because of those women who came before us. I want her to teach her children that some facets of modernity and tradition can exist side by side--but only when women are truly supported in the choices they make--will the divide between camps begin to narrow.