edit: wow ladies - why are we judging her like this?? This is completely sexist and it's women who are being hardest on her!! We all want to be able enjoy the freedom to make our own choices depending on our own circumstances, why are we not allowing Sarah Palin to do the same?? I am utterly disappointed in "Dr. Laura" and her comments. Apparently you have never known a woman who is an athlete who was pregnant - they're strong and they bounce back very quickly. I have a friend who left the hospital the same day she delivered and was in the gym for a light workout 2 days later. Her abs were so strong she looked "bloated" her 7th month and it was difficult for her doctor to even feel the baby because her muscles were so strong. She gained 25 pounds and it was all gone within 30 days.
If you're all about "choice" for reproductive rights, then why not "choice" in careers and "choice" for family dynamics and "choice" for dealing with our teens who make bad choices. If Dr Laura had her way, then no woman would be able to perform in a demanding career until her children were grown. So sorry if your a doctor or a CEO or a small business owner or a community volunteer or a Governor, nope, you can't go back to work until your children are grown because then you would be neglecting your kids and they would suffer from the chaos.
btw - criticism on the sisters cuddling and loving on their baby brother? PLEEEZE!!! criticism on how she holds her baby? PLEEEZE! Nurses pick up those newborns like a sack of tomatoes!
M. - great discussion topic here -
My answer would be that she will handle it in much the same way she has been as the Governor of the state of Alaska and as the Commander in Chief of the Alaskan National Guard. (Did you know that Alaska makes up almost 1/5 of the total US territory?) She sounds like an incredibly strong and capable woman if you ask me. She put the republican-run govt on notice and ran corrupt politicians up the proverbial flag-pole. She stood up to "big oil" and negotiated a pipeline with Canada to supply natural gas to the lower 48 - a plan the oil companies vehemently opposed. I have a very dear friend who grew up in Anchorage and as a group of people, they are just plain tough> Physically and emotionally they are very strong. It's a very difficult lifestyle up there even for those in urban areas. By the way, I just heard that her husband is a registered democrat!
As VP, she will probably have more assistance with all of her kids in the form of tutors and a nanny or some other inhouse arrangement. The older ones will be in school most of the day and from what I've heard, she has her baby with her alot. The family will also probably have a lot of time with their mom because she can have access to them when she wants - unlike most full-time working moms who could get fired for having their kids at work.
I have to admit, I'm disappointed in the "Obama-Biden '08" ladies who responded. All 3 of you are SAHM. Here she is - a woman who embodies what so many of us have been fighting for. One who is able to attain to the highest levels in her professional field is instead disqualified because she has children and she cant possibly do her job and be a good mom too. The same party that demands "equal rights for all", "equal pay for equal work", "no discrimination", "equal opportunity employers", you name it, judges a woman so harshly because she is from a different political bent. So much for equality and diversity.
There are doctors, CEOs, small business owners and women who have 2 jobs or work 80 hours a week. There are women who have to travel for work and women who choose the military. Are they all bad moms because they might rely on their husbands, families, daycare centers or nannies?
Personally, I wouldnt take that kind of criticism from a SAH mom. What kind of guilt do you think you are heaping on them? All of us as moms feel some sense of guilt or regret about not being able to do more for our kids. I left a professional career because I was financially able to - lots of others don't have that desire or that ability. I think these women already know pretty well that in order to have a career, they arent going be able to spend every moment they want to with their child.
It's about as annoying as the time Dianne Feinstein from SF CA told Condoleeza Rice that she wasnt able to be sympathetic to military families because she didnt have children of her own.
It's obvious its a no-win situation for women today - either you're judged because you have a family and a career or you are judged because you have forgone a family in order to have a career.