Blog-in 2011, or, A Letter To 2012 Presidential Candidates
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Dear 2012 Presidential Candidates,
We are your future constituents and we are parents.
We are American mothers and fathers and grandparents and guardians. Our families might be the most diverse in the world. Blended and combined in endless permutations, we represent every major religion, political ideology and ethnic culture that exists. We are made from equal parts biology and choice. Our children come to us in every way possible—including fertility miracles, adoption, and remarriage. Our very modern families embody the freedom that defines America. We embody America. We are rich in diversity, but we are united in our family values. We come together today, with one voice, to express our grave disappointment in the national political discourse.
The 2012 countdown has barely begun and we are already being bombarded with the warmed-over, hypocritical rhetoric of 2008. We are living in a time where 25% of Americans now live in poverty, the unemployment rate stands at 16%, and we are spending close to $170 billion annually between the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Given the current state of affairs we would expect every candidate to focus on the issues that truly matter: job creation, debt-relief, taxes, education, poverty, and ending the war(s). Instead, it is already clear to us that the conversation has been hijacked, with the goal of further polarizing our nation into a politically motivated and falsely created class-war. We will not stand for another campaign year in which politicians presume to know what our family values are as they relate to the nation. To be clear, here are our family values:
Affordable health care, including family planning, for all Americans. We will not tolerate any candidate using the shield of “Choice” to blind us from the issues that really matter. When funding is stripped from organizations like Planned Parenthood, access to sliding-scale health care (including yearly pap smears and mammograms), comprehensive sex education, and family planning is blocked from the poorest of the population.
Access to education, and the ability to actually use it. We want quality, affordable, federally-funded pre-K programs made available in every State, in order to provide an even starting point for all children enrolled in public schools— regardless of the wealth of the district or town they live in.
A reinstatement of regulations for banks issuing mortgages and full prosecution for those who engaged in fraudulent lending practices. We want full accountability —investigation, indictment and prosecution — of those individuals and institutions who engaged in fraudulent lending practices and who helped create the massive foreclosures that left many families homeless or struggling to keep their homes.
A return of strict environmental regulations protecting water, air, food, and land that were removed in the last two decades. We want our children to grow up in a world not weighed down by the strains of pollution and global warming. Between BPA in our products, sky-rocketing rates of asthma in kids, questionable hormones in our over-processed food, and more, we need leaders who will put our needs and safety over the desires and profits of large corporations.
Family planning, healthcare, education, economic solvency and environmental safety: these are our national family values.
Candidates who demonstrate the ability to understand the gravity of these issues, and their impact on our families, and who can provide actual, viable solutions to these problems will garner our support and our votes.
We believe in this democratic system of ours, and we will continue to use our voices and our votes to see that it reaches its fullest potential.
Sincerely,
Your future constituents,
The mothers and fathers of America
*If you would like to forward this letter to your elected officials, you can find their contact info at the following links: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml
Issa M. Mas @ November 8, 2011
Dating tip for single parents: Go slow when it comes to introducing the kids
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For the single parent, dating can be a minefield. When do you introduce your kids to your new love interest? How should you do it? How should you talk to their kids about your boyfriend or girlfriend?
Michael Harris, a child psychologist at OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital, hears from lots of divorced parents in his practice who want advice on how to deal with dating when they’ve got kids.
Read more: http://blog.oregonlive.com/themombeat/2011/10/top_dating_tip_for_single_pare.html
Issa M. Mas @ October 27, 2011
Free car clinic offered to women who are widowed, divorced or single mothers
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A men’s group from Crosspoint Community Church in Oconomowoc is lending a helping hand to women who are widowed, divorced or single mothers. They’ve organized a free car clinic for these women who may be dealing with tough times.
Read more: http://www.fox6now.com/news/witi-20111027-free-car-care-clinic-for-women,0,1160412.story
Issa M. Mas @ October 27, 2011
Guilt afflicts moms despite their work status, survey finds
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Working moms and stay-at-home mothers alike feel guilt, according to a recently released survey by Working Mother Research Institute. The survey results don’t surprise mom Kelly Cavaleri, 37, who returned to work at data specialist NCCI in Boca Raton, three weeks ago, after having her second child.
Read more: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/business/fl-moms-feel-guilty-20111027,0,3264226.story
Issa M. Mas @ October 27, 2011
Homework time for single mom is a balancing act
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Q. I am a single parent of two boys very close in age – first grade and second grade – and both are struggling. I work and do not get home until 6 p.m. (on a good day) and we are not able to work on homework the way we need to and I know this is part of the problem.
Their father is out of the picture by choice. My parents watch them but they cannot work on homework with them, so I have to do it. But they are hungry, need baths, and then they are just wild and need my attention and do not want to sit and work AT ALL. Can you give me any ideas that could help me and them?
A. I know this is hard, but you can do it. My mom raised us alone and my brother, sister and I all turned out pretty well. It wasn’t easy and we aren’t perfect, but it can be done. Read more: http://www.ocregister.com/articles/help-323660-work-homework.html
Issa M. Mas @ October 27, 2011
Adoption Programs at Long Island Children’s, Experts Available to Assist with Pre- and Post-Adoption Questions
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Families interested in learning more about foster care and adoption are invited to attend free public programs at the Long Island Children’s Museum in October. Presented by the Bi-County: Nassau/Suffolk Adoption Exchange and the Adoptive Parents Committee/Long Island, these programs will provide pragmatic answers to your questions regarding the adoption process and put you in touch with local and state resources to call upon to during the foster care/adoption journey.
On October 15, families are invited to workshops offered by the Adoptive Parents Committee/Long Island. Adoption attorney Jeanine Castagna will address pre-adoption issues in a workshop, “Red Flags: What to Look for When Adopting Independently.” Joining Castagna that night is Andrew Vaughan, Ph.D, executive director of the early intervention agency Up We Go, Inc. Vaughan will address post-adoption issues in a presentation entitled “Maximum Strength Parenting to Raise Maximum Strength Kids.” The final presentation that evening focuses on the waiting process. Moderated by an APC board member, participants can get answers to questions during an interactive round table session.
On Thursday, October 20, the Children’s Museum will host the Bi-County: Nassau/Suffolk Adoption Exchange for an evening devoted to “Adoption Options.” The 6-9 p.m. adults-only program, is designed as a “one-stop” information source for anyone considering public adoption. Representatives from the Departments of Social Services in Nassau and Suffolk counties, will be joined by NY State representatives, as well as adoption agencies and adoption support groups. The evening’s format will allow adults to talk with all the key players you might encounter on the road to adoption. Participants are requested to RSVP to this free workshop by calling (631) 972-7038 or (845) 708-2493.
Both workshops at the Long Island Children’s Museum are free to the public. The Long Island Children’s Museum is located at 11 Davis Avenue in Garden City, NY. 11530
The Adoptive Parents Committee
(APC) is a non-profit parent support group comprised of volunteers dedicated to
improving all aspects of adoption and interim (foster) care. APC, the oldest
adoptive parent group in North America, was formed in 1955 by a small group of
people who shared their adoptive experiences. Today, there are more than 1,500
member families who belong to one of APC’s four chapters: Long Island, New York
City, New Jersey and the Connecticut/Hudson Region. Some of our members are from
Florida, Virginia, Pennsylvania and other states throughout the country.
The Bi-County: Nassau Suffolk Adoption Exchange is composed of public and voluntary child care agencies, adoptive/foster parent groups, post-adoption agencies from Nassau and Suffolk Counties and the New York State Office of Children and Family Services. The group’s mission is to recruit foster and adoptive parents for the children in need, work to improve the child welfare system and to educate the public about the children who need loving foster and adoptive homes.
Issa M. Mas @ September 29, 2011
‘Llama Llama Red Pajama’ Reading Party at Gymboree for Jumpstart’s Read for the Record
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Llama Llama Red Pajama Reading Party at Gymboree for Jumpstart’s Read for the Record
October 6th
Pledge to Read Today!
Looking for something fun, free and educational to do with your child?
Pledge with them to join Jumpstart’s Read for the Record, a day whenmillions of families and celebrities read to promote early education, and come to your local Gymboree Play & Music for a free “red pajama reading party” on October 6th. In honor of Jumpstart’s Read for the Record day, Gymboree students at every location will read this year’s book, Llama Llama Red Pajama, by Anna Dewdney and participate in themed activities. Getting involved is simple. Pledge today to read at www.ReadfortheRecord.org and take advantage of your first free Gymboree class on October 6th, for a celebration of reading and learning.
For the past three years, Gymboree and Jumpstart have worked together on this event in the company of celebrities like Justin Bieber, Nelly Furtado and Patti LaBelle, and families around the world, to raise awareness for the importance of reading early and often. Most parents don’t know reading to young children lays an essential foundation for literacy that’s needed before they ever set foot in a classroom. The reality is, 1 in 3 children in the U.S. begin kindergarten behind, and most will never catch up. The millions of children in the U.S. living in poverty are even more likely to fall into this statistic, as many grow up in homes without a single book.
By pledging to be part of Jumpstart’sRead for the Record, you can be part of a solution. Reading with your child on this day helps prepare them to be successful in school and in life and also helps Jumpstart provide educational skills and resources to thousands of low-income children.
So pledge today, at www.ReadfortheRecord.organd come out for the festivities at your local Gymboree on October 6th. Jumpstart has extended their giveaway entry deadline, so those who pledge before September 30th have a chance to win a $77 gift card to 77Kids by American Eagle. Thanks for doing your part! Sit down to read and stand up for children.
Issa M. Mas @ September 28, 2011
‘Woman to Woman’ mentors young women
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Regina Wheeler is like so many young mothers struggling to make it all work. She has a beautiful 19-month-old named Keanna, and she’s in school full time.
“It feels like I’m drained, like everything’s on me, by myself,” she said.
As a single mom, Regina knew she needed some help. That’s when she found out about a program called Woman to Woman. It matches young moms with a mentor who can help them make good decisions in life.
Read more: http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/dpp/news/whats_right/woman-to-woman-mentors-young-women-wr-09262011
Issa M. Mas @ September 26, 2011
Hope
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Hope
By Emily Dickinson
Hope is the thing with feathers
That
perches in the soul,
And sings the tune–without the words,
And never
stops at all.
That
perches in the soul,
And sings the tune–without the words,
And never
stops at all.
There is more to that poem, but it’s that stanza that has always stayed with me. It is that stanza, specifically, that reminds me of what gets me through the toughest of times and keeps me from breaking down and staying down.
Read more: http://www.singlemamanyc.com/2011/09/hope.html
Issa M. Mas @ September 26, 2011
SMC’s 30th Anniversary Celebration is Now Open for Registration
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For the first time in their history, the grown children of Single Mothers by Choice will be on a panel discussing their perspective on the SMC family now that they are adults. Theior mothers will be on a panel as well, and Wendy and Ryan Kramer (founders of the Donor Sibling Registry) will be part of the panel, Looking for Genetic Roots.
The event is on Saturday, Oct. 15 at the NY Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge, in Brooklyn, from 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM. The SMC website has more details: http://www.singlemothersbychoice.org/information/
Issa M. Mas @ September 26, 2011
