Single Mother Talk

What a trip this whole election has been! I am glad that it’s over and that the new President of the United States is Barack Obama. Of course, I am going to miss ragging on Sarah Palin, but it’s all worth it.

On Election night I kept my Hunnybunny up so that she could watch President Obama give one of the most inspiring speeches given by anyone in recent history.  Basically, that’s what we all witnessed on November 4th, history in the making.  But I wanted her to experience the excitement of politics, the passion that one can feel when your ideals are on the line.

Coming from a politically active family in Central America, I understand the importance of having not only an interest, but a passion for what is happening in the world and in our government.  I have seen my family members killed for what they believed in, and I have witnessed first-hand the start of a revolution.

In the last eight years our government seemed to encourage an apathy and a cynicism in the people of this country, making it unpatriotic to criticise and question the actions and motives of our leaders, we were encouraged to follow blindly.  As citizens of this country, everyone should feel it is their moral obligation to vote.

I am very proud that my Hunnybunny gets to live in this time.  I want her to grow up with a sense of responsibility to her country. Her responsibility is to always be conscious of what is going on in the world and to employ critical thinking when it comes to government, and to participate in the election process, because like this election proved, each vote matters.

It’s not easy being socially conscious when there are a million things to do, but if we don’t encourage our kids to be aware and to participate we will be responsible for raising a generation of sheep- mindless followers.  Don’t forget, these kids are the future.  What do we want that future to look like?

It’s so easy to get wrapped up in our problems and hectic lives that we forget sometimes about a world outside of our own, at least for me that’s the case.  I get so involved in my craziness; stressing about my kid, how I’m going to make ends meet this month, what am I going to make for dinner, when am I going to finish the mountain of laundry?  In short, the list is endless.

So, I was looking at other mother’s websites looking for a few words of inspiration, something to give me perspective or grounding, what I found brought me to tears and has inspired me to really feel and see beyond my four walls.

Life is a struggle for all of us, it comes with the territory when we are born into this world.  And to be a mother, whether single or married, is both a privilege and a burden, but that doesn’t stop one blogger mom from kicking ass and taking names.

Her name is Rocky and she has a blog called Muthahood Ain’t For Sissies.  The name says it all.  Rocky is also the founder of Mothers Fighting for Others.  Like I said, after visiting the MFFO site I realized that my everyday struggles with being a single mother are nothing compared to the struggles that girls in Africa face on a daily basis.  To stay alive, is a struggle.

I recommend visiting this site, it will inspire you, it will bring you to tears.  But more than anything I hope it will motivate you to reach out and give, not just to this amazing organization, but to your community as well.

I feel in my heart that we, mothers, are going to be the ones that make a difference in the world.  Because there is no love like the love a mother gives, to her children, to her family, to her community, to the world at large. Thanks Rocky, for the inspiration!