Imagine
1. A morning spent reading the newspaper and drinking coffee without constant interruption from the kids.
2. A newspaper filled with stories about the new global peace: no environmental disasters, no bombs exploding, no torture, no hate crimes, no war.
3. A house overflowing with peace (no screaming fights over Lego pieces, etc.).
4. Clean dishes. Even after pancakes.
5. Phone call from father-in-law acknowledging that nearly 20 years of political conversations have resulted in his conversion on certain points, such as the need for nationwide family-friendly policies (affordable childcare, paid parental leave, flexible work/life policies, universal healthcare, etc.).
6. A country with the political will to pass policies such as the ones listed above.
7. A world in which being born a girl is not a risk factor for malnourishment, hunger, neglect, discrimination, poverty, abuse, sexual violence, forced labor, trafficking, or death.
8. A world in which social inequalities are shrinking, and progress is being made toward the UN’s Millennium Development Goals.
9. Sufficient time to play with kids, talk with husband and friends, and care for self (read, exercise, shower, write in journal, and meditate).
10. Ability to do the above with a sense of abundance instead of stress.
And, last but not least:
11. No BlackBerry or iPhone. All day.
Comments 6
Caroline — May 8, 2010
Ah, a girl can dream! happy mother's day to you and everyone at Girl w/Pen!
My Mother’s Day Wish: A 24-hour Respite from Kid Crises « Kittywampus — May 9, 2010
[...] 9, 2010 by Sungold I just read Heather Hewitt’s wonderful Mother’s Day wishlist on Girl w/Pen. She’s got some wishes that would do Julia Ward Howe proud: global peace, diminishing [...]
Kristen Norton — May 9, 2010
Indeed they would make Julia Ward Howe proud! Thank you for this, Heather. I just printed it out to share with my college students (Developmental Psych.) this week, as we speak of so many of these important issues.
Heather Hewett — May 9, 2010
Thanks, everyone, for your comments! Clearly I have not managed to stay unplugged today (I have a love/hate relationship with technology), and I have been thinking about the 50 other items that did not make my Top 10 (well, eleven). Definitely check out Anne Lamott's great article over at Salon, "Why I hate Mother's Day," that takes issue with the sentimentality of this holiday and how it elevates women with children above those without. Also check out the great post over at Kittywampus -- she does such a great job of reminding us of ALL the people who take on the work of mothering, not just biological mothers.
Is it My "Feminist Duty" to Mention Mother's Day? | Menstrual Poetry — May 10, 2010
[...] Girl with Pen compiled a wish list for Mother’s Day including ideas like “A world in which being born a girl is not a risk factor for malnourishment, hunger, neglect, discrimination, poverty, abuse, sexual violence, forced labor, trafficking or death.” and “A newspaper filled with stories about the new global peace: no environmental disasters, no bombs exploding, no torture, no hate crimes, no war.” [...]
gwp_admin — May 11, 2010
LOVE LOVE this Heather. LOL on #5 and can we make a date re #9...when we have time?! Your list is beautiful and true my friend. Just like you. Happy belated, and thank you for sharing this with GwP!