Mindful Mama Magazine

Apparently there's a new magazine on the stands (or will be soon- that's kind of confusing), called Mindful Mama. Here's some copy from the website:

Mindful Mama actively promotes:

o Simplicity
o Products that are non-toxic to mom and baby
o Products and services produced using sustainable practices
o Companies that make efforts to green their workspace
o Companies that actively work to reduce their carbon footprint
o Companies that donate a portion of profits to a good cause
o Mother-owned businesses or parent-friendly workplaces

You can download a copy of the magazine (PDF) too. I haven't a clue as to when you can buy it.

I just wanted to spread the word, I'm not receiving any kind of kickback or anything. I'm not even saying its a great magazine. But the skim I did of the PDF looked good.

Brain, Child subscription up for grabs!

Announcing a very fun and exciting contest.

The prize: a year's subscription to Brian, Child magazine (my absolute favorite magazine). I am so excited to share this treasure with other mothers. If you don't already read it regularly, please give the site a look and consider subscribing (I'm not gaining anything if you do, but you surely will.).

The Contest: Brain, Child features a section called Back Talk in every issue, where readers share funny stories, poems, etc. in response to a clever question created by the editors. It is one of my favorite parts of the magazine. So here's my take on their good ideas: Leave a comment with an original haiku (see here for instructions/tips) about your average day as a mother. Here's my lame attempt:

rise to sun and child
smile scold laugh plead play read
twinkle twinkle sleep

The Rules: One entry per person. Winner will be selected at random on July 25th after noon. Only comments with haikus will be considered for the drawing. Make sure I have a way to contact you.

Special thanks to the wonderful folks at Brain, Child who are graciously donating the subscription.

Good luck!!

Stuff of interest to thinking mamas.....

• 5 Tips for giving praise from the Huffington Post's Gretchen Rubin.
• Some fun giveaways at Now Entering Momville.
• Why childcare workers are paid nothing from Suzanne Reisman at Blogher.
• Cash Money Life has an informative and insightful post about Food Stamps.
• Catherine Morgan has an informative post about suicide prevention at Blogher.
• Feministe has a gret post asking for books to stock a feminist library. Add your suggestions.
• Urge your Senator to vote YES for PAID Family Medical Leave for federal employees
• Don't forget Think Mama's two giveaways! Brain, Child magazine and Thomas DVD
  

Stuff of interest to thinking mamas.....

• Let's talk about Hillary, women voters and feminismA review of A Nation of Wimps in WSJ. It's a book condemning over-involved parents.
• Healthy Toys has tested 16 more toys.

A Book Review, Interrupted

I am supposed to be reading The Feminine Mistake (by the way, the book is on super sale at Amazon for under 6 bucks for the hardcover) so that I can review it here. But I had to put it in the freezer (random Friends reference for those who like Joey). The book didn't scare me, but it did make me mad and a little insecure because I "choose" to stay at home with my son for a few years instead of pursuing a career. Of course this is all in my head. The book isn't judging me, although the author might. I am judging me. And that scared the bejeezus out of me.

I am happy to be home with O. I actually get excited about our day together when I wake up in the morning to him calling "Ya-ya!" (yep, that's my name!). I did actually choose to be home and left a job I loved with great colleagues, decent pay and excellent benefits. But there is a part of me that wants to go back to work. A part of me that's afraid of the repercussions of taking a few years off, in terms of finances, self-esteem, etc.

What if I am left a single mother by any number of things that can happen? What if I can't get another job I love and pays me fairly? What if I just get stuck here in a rut and never challenge myself? What if I can't save enough for retirement and am left in poverty?

Yes, I really do think and sometimes worry about these things. And they are real concerns to me and should be to other women as well. And I have books to thank for these concerns. Books meant to empower or frighten or inform (not sure which sometimes). Books like The Price of Motherhood. Books I am grateful for, but nonetheless cause me to feel doubtful and insecure.

I am going to go back to The Feminine Mistake because I must. Books that cause such a passionate reaction have something to teach. And all the knowledge my fellow sisters in motherhood impart will come in handy to me someday, like today. We need to challenge each other and to ask the uncomfortable questions of our choices and motivations. We can't all sit in our respective mommy corners cheering on our own "team", but must look at why we choose the team in the first place, if we had a choice. I am a stay at home parent now, but someday I'll be a working parent. I'll need to change teams and look at the world from a different corner, so I'm going to arm myself with whatever knowledge and questions I can.

So look for my review soon. I'm going to tough up and read.

Stuff of interest to thinking mamas.....

• A great essay on parenting choices and loving our mothering sisters. It's long, but worth the effort.
• Are women just not interested in math and science careers?
• A short review of The Feminine Mistake by Leslie Bennetts
• Interview with Amy Richards about her book Opting In.
• How to avoid genetically modified food from Eco Child's Play.
• Stripper pole kits marketed to young girls?
• Save the Planet- Stop Shopping
  

Stuff of interest to thinking mamas.....

Girls and young women can decrease breast cancer risk with regular exercise.
A great online resource for bringing your baby to work.
Guidelines for safe co-sleeping.
Report on autism vaccine case in Texas.
A young woman's rant/insight into the failings of Family Medical Leave Act.
List of motherhood memoirs at Red Orbit.
Momlogic has a rant on why our friendships sometimes fail. Did I mention it's hilarious?

1001 Books

I am half-obsessed with both goodreads and facebook. So I'm delirious that I can combine them with goodreads application on facebook, and show off my books to all my 24 friends. My current project is going through 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. I am making a list of the books that I feel I should have read or want to read from the list, so I'm looking at about 150 when all is said and done. There are lots on the list that I have read, but not nearly as many as I would like. I'm actually embarrassed that I can't check off more. What kind of English major was I really?! The kind that didn't read much written in the 20th century unfortunately.

I am adding the to-read books to my 1001 books I must read before I die bookshelf on goodreads. I have decided to read them randomly, because I can't fathom reading a whole clump of 19th century novels at once. Although that used to be totally my thing back in my college days. I'll post some reviews of the two must-reads in the near future. Any other goodreads addicts?