What Do I Do?

I was reading Memoirs of a Jewminicana (as I do most days – she is fascinating) and she has posted a video talking about what do us bloggers call ourselves, especially if we do not have other jobs that we get paid for. This was all started by Jew In the City asking the same question on her facebook fan page.

So as I am watching Aliza’s video (love the hair, so envious!!) I started to think about my own answer. For me it is very simple. First and foremost before everything paid or unpaid, I am a mother. It is the most rewarding thing I have ever done in my life, and even if I were a surgeon or President or well known civil rights activist, being a mum would be the accomplishment of which I am most proud.

But it isn’t paid work, being a mother. So does that count? Financially, yes you may be right, but those hugs and kisses and squishes, and “I love you”s make up for that. There is not enough money in the world that could make me as happy and fulfilled as these 4 sons of mine have. I hate the term “homemaker” – makes me picture a 50s woman in an apron and a beehive elbow deep in dishes. I am way more emancipated than that – in thought, if not in action, after all I do wash the dishes and the floors….but no beehive.

So first and foremost I say I am a mother, then I say, “and a writer” (or a blogger, depending on with whom I am speaking). The problem with that is that I have yet to have a book published, so it seems as if it is self aggrandizing, pronouncing oneself a writer, when in reality one should say an unpublished writer. But if they ask further I do say that I am working on a few books in between cooking and cleaning and loads of laundry. My blog takes up time, and I am into social networking, which gives me plenty of writing / blogging fodder. So should I say I am a social butterfly? A twitterer?

I write a lot about Judaism and have helped some people become closer to their religion, Does that make me an outreach professional? I have given some friends and contacts dating advice, does that make me a relationship expert?

My business card is very simple. It has my name and phone number on it, with my blog, Facebook and Twitter addresses. I do not specify what I do – if they check out my links they will know.

I am a proud mommy to four wonderful sons, and I am a writer too.

Hadassah’s Question of the Day

It’s not fair!!

I recently saw this YouTube clip and it made me laugh. But really, why is it socially acceptable for little kids to throw themselves on the floor kicking and screaming at a perceived injustice – and not acceptable for grown ups? Granted, we would look ridiculous laying on the floor imitating a toddler, but sometimes it’s what we need. When things just do not go right, we are supposed to just accept it, maybe complain to our spouse or a chosen friend, but then we are supposed to soldier on, stiff upper lip etc.

What would happen if we were to take a page from the toddler book and throw an all-out tantrum? All the bottled up aggro could be dissipated in a safe manner. Now, we wouldn’t have to do it in the cereal aisle, although, as every toddler knows, that’s the best place to do it to show your parent up. (As a grown up they might arrest you). But we aren’t doing it for that reason. If we allowed ourselves to really express how we feel, well, won’t the world be a better place for it? If these tantrums are thrown in the safety of our own houses and living space, we won’t get arrested or judged. After ten minutes of howling and kicking into space – I am sure I would feel better. Yes, nothing would have been solved, but there would be a lack of pent-up frustration. Maybe there would be less violence in the world if we could throw tantrums in the safety of our own environment.

So, who is with me? Safe tantrums for grown ups….let’s start a new movement…..

Got shot?

As of today, Canada is doling out the H1N1 vaccination. There is a priority as to who gets the vaccinations first. People with chronic medical conditions under the age of 65; Pregnant women (after 20 weeks gestation); Children six months of age to under five years of age; People living in remote and isolated settings or communities; Health-care workers involved in pandemic response or who deliver essential health services; Household contacts and caregivers of individuals who are at high risk, and who cannot be immunized (such as infants under six months of age or people with weakened immune systems).

Dr. David Butler-Jones, Canada’s chief public health officer said “Keeping in mind that we’ve ordered enough vaccine for every Canadian that needs and wants to be immunized, our basic approach is to ensure that those that need it most get it first.”

I am not sure whether or not I plan to vaccinate my children or not, or even to get the vaccine myself. A friend told me seeing as I am still finishing antibiotics my body is too weak to get the vaccine, another told me not to take it as the side effects and risks have yet to be quantified. I don’t actively seek to stick my kids with needles – are they at risk of H1N1 more so than regular flu? Right now I am more concerned with the mumps that seems to have hit their school than with the threat of something seemingly abstract.

Are you vaccinating? Why? Why not? Let’s have a discussion.