Mother Talkers

Social Justice and Activism Thread 3/5

by RachelD

Mon Mar 05, 2007 at 10:03:42 AM PDT

Here's a place to share your social justice projects with your fellow MTs - for kudos, for advice. Let's hear it!

Since our last thread, a couple of MTs (make that one FT) have posted separate diaries about significant efforts they have made for important social change that affect mothers, families, and children. One MT contributed an eloquent personal letter to her state legislature, which is considering forming a task force to study what kind of support working families in their state need. One of our FatherTalkers posted about a micro lending project he is involved in.

Our last Social Justice and Activism Thread will be two weeks from now, March 19.

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  • Buy Less (0 / 0)

    I am still trying to go with my 'Buy Less' change, but I still have a long way to go.  We are still accumulating stuff at a higher rate than I would like to.  Now I know why people need such big houses...it's for all the 'stuff'.  It takes a lot of effort to make a personal change is what I am learning.

    Thanks for this thread RachelD...how did your green cleaning and seeking volunteer opportunity go (I think you were trying to find something to do with helping out moms involved in the war).

    P.S. and OT, did you still want to moderate a book discussion of Flow for this month?  No pressure, just curious...

    by NJmom on Mon Mar 05, 2007 at 10:34:17 AM PDT

    • It is! (0 / 0)

      Really hard to make a personal change, that is - I totally agree. Good for you for persevering on the buying less idea. Do you have a sense of what triggers a purchase for you - a purchase you later decide you would rather have skipped, that is.

      Lately, since I've been dieting, I find myself just wanting to buy something, anything when I am really worn out .... it's like my little reptilian brain is saying "gimme something, and gimme it now" LOL.

      I did pretty well with the green cleaning, thanks for asking. Then again, I've known about these products and the idea of only using lemons and vinegar for a long time - action took quite a while to get to. On the volunteering front, I've been stymied by a little slew of health problems. But, on the upside, when I mentioned this thread to a friend, she said she would do the project with me! And suddenly it clicked in - I wanted the project to be social for me, but was having a hard time figuring out how to do that without complicating my schedule. So I am feeling really optimistic about that.

      And re Flow - what do you think? I've been thinking about that. Mamacita had noted when we first talked about it that flow and motherhood of young ones might not be compatible LOL. I am happy to re-read Flow if you think it would be a good pick. If so, I would need a few more days to do the "pitch" since I am behind in just about everything in the last couple of weeks. I could post on it by Wednesday this week. Thoughts?

      RachelD

      by RachelD on Mon Mar 05, 2007 at 10:49:53 AM PDT

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      • Flow book (0 / 0)

        It sounds like a really interesting topic to me, but I don't know the book title or author. Please name the book again so I can go look it up.

        I'm waiting with baited breath for the next book. All three of our books have been really fun.

        by tarantula on Mon Mar 05, 2007 at 11:10:18 AM PDT

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      • Great (0 / 0)

        I think Flow would be great.  I never read the actual book, but only articles about it.  I think it would make for some great discussion.  I suspect "getting into Flow" is not compatible with taking care of young children, but I hope I am wrong about that!

        Post the pitch whenever you get a chance..no rush!  The date you want to moderate the discussion is open too...I'm not sure how long the book is.

        by NJmom on Mon Mar 05, 2007 at 11:26:24 AM PDT

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    • Different book by same guy (0 / 0)

      Another one of his books is Finding Flow: The Psychology of Engagement with Everyday Life. Now, that sounds closer to what might be helpful to a bunch of harried and distracted mothers! LOL. I would love to learn how to be more in the moment, even when the moment(s) is emptying the dishwasher again and loading up the diaper bag again :).

      What do you think?

      RachelD

      by RachelD on Mon Mar 05, 2007 at 11:26:11 AM PDT

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    • I have now gone through Jan and Feb (0 / 0)

      without buying anything new for me other than 2 books. WHAT a difference! I went through all my closets and "shopped" in my own stuff to figure out how to put different outfits together and maximize my clothes. I have not bought anything new for the house (I don't do that anyway...I hate that kind of shopping) and only have gotten clothes or books for Liza. My goal is to get until May when I need to buy a new outfit for my Leadership NH graduation. I'm pretty proud of myself frankly !

      by MKatherine1966 on Tue Mar 06, 2007 at 11:31:52 AM PDT

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      • Two months! (0 / 0)

        That is an accomplishment for sure, two months no extraneous spending! You have a lot of discipline. Isn't it also kind of a fun challenge, in a spartan kind of way?

        RachelD

        by RachelD on Tue Mar 06, 2007 at 12:06:22 PM PDT

        [ Parent ]

        • I have no money -- trust me it ain't hard (0 / 0)

          to not spend when you don't have the money to spend. I need to save my extra (hah) cash for hot lunch orders, scholastic books, etc. The one thing I'm guilty of since I hate to cook is taking Liza and Kelly out to dinner but that's not "stuff" that comes into my house and takes up space. I buy clothes for Liza b/c she needs them and I will always buy her books and I gave myself the freedome to buy one new book a month which I have. But no new toys, games, chothckes, earrings, clothes, socks, shoes, decorations, computer stuff, etc... nothing. there is nothing we "NEED' -- not one thing so I refuse to give in to stuff for the sake of stuff.

          by MKatherine1966 on Tue Mar 06, 2007 at 12:10:02 PM PDT

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    • I have now gone through Jan and Feb (0 / 0)

      without buying anything new for me other than 2 books. WHAT a difference! I went through all my closets and "shopped" in my own stuff to figure out how to put different outfits together and maximize my clothes. I have not bought anything new for the house (I don't do that anyway...I hate that kind of shopping) and only have gotten clothes or books for Liza. My goal is to get until May when I need to buy a new outfit for my Leadership NH graduation. I'm pretty proud of myself frankly !

      by MKatherine1966 on Tue Mar 06, 2007 at 11:32:13 AM PDT

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  • Well, (0 / 0)

    I read Omnivore's Dilemma, and being the highly excitable person that I am, I'm all converted. I've got big, pseudo-farming/hunting plans for my family in the future. Basically, I've been dreaming big dreams about how the world aught to be this week.

    I think the newfound awareness will eventually trickle into our eating habits.

    by tarantula on Mon Mar 05, 2007 at 11:15:45 AM PDT

    • Cool! (0 / 0)

      That's cool! Let us know if you hunt your own pig one day like Pollan  : )

      I think with the whole moving to Organic etc. eating thing, it's something you do have to get excited about to get motivated.

      by NJmom on Mon Mar 05, 2007 at 11:29:08 AM PDT

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  • I guess I've been doing this for awhile! (0 / 0)

    Financial constraints long ago turned me into a non-consumer. I buy clothes for myself once a year - IF that. Generally what happens is that I clear from my closet anything I have not worn in a year, or that has become too worn or faded. I have items of clothing that are well over 10 years old FWIW!! Anyway, after the purge, if there is an obvious gap in my selection of clothes (not enough suits for work or long sleeve casual shirts etc), then I will fill the gap. Same with shoes and costume jewelry.

    OTOH, don't let me near a nursery - I could buy plants for my yard and/or gardening supplies any day of the week. Home improvement stuff too. Oh, and sporting goods/team gear for my son and I. And bookstores - all dangerous places for me!!

    Trees, Flowers & Birds SanDiegoDem on all other blogs!

    by Christina on Tue Mar 06, 2007 at 01:12:32 PM PDT

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