Deep Thoughts & Self-Reflections

Feminist Boymom

March 19, 2013 By Bree 2 Comments

Stereotypically speaking, feminists are normally portrayed as being anti-marriage, anti-family and anti-baby. Personally, I disagree. I’m sure there are some who don’t want marriage and kids, but the same could be said for every type of woman.

You see, I’m a feminist.

You’re not? That’s OK. Mind if I ask you why?

I mean, the definition of a feminist is someone who “advocates for social, political, legal and economic rights for women equal to those of men.”

And, how could anyone not want that?

As a feminist, and a boymom, I feel I have a responsibility to teach him:

that little girls can do anything he can do. I mean, they may do it differently, but they (we) can most certainly get it done.
that as a boy, he is no better (or no worse) than his girl counterparts.
to treat them with respect, and expect to be treated the same in return.

This is something I work hard at, every day. I want to make sure I’m drivnig the message home.

What about you? Are you a feminist boymom? How do you make sure your boy(s) embrace an “equality for women” mindset?

Somewhat related – Mocha Dad recently wrote a post, that I think every boydad should read: Fathers Must Teach Their Sons That Rape is Unacceptable. It’s in response to incredibly skewed, victim-blaming media coverage of the Steubenville rape trial.

30 Goals for 2013

January 18, 2013 By Bree 2 Comments

2013 Goals

I am a huge proponent of having written goals. I’m talking realistic, doable goals. I believe that in writing them down somewhere, you’re making yourself more accountable.

At the end of this year, I plan on looking at this list, and taking an account of how I did. I don’t really expect to complete all of them. But, you can bet that I’ll try my darndest.

Anyway, let’s get to it…

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Personal:

Read through the Bible in a year. I’m using this chronological reading plan.
Attend church regularly.
Make it to my goal weight.
Kick my Coca-cola habit.
Eat well, exercise 3 – 4 times per week and drink enough water.
Continue to nurture my hair, back to its formally healthy state.
Use heat sparingly, on my hair. Only a couple times per month, at most.
Get 7 – 8 hours a sleep per night, every night.
Read two new books/eBooks per month. Be a better listener.
Strive to have more patience.
Create a schedule, and stick to it. I’ve discovered that I work so much better, when I do.

Parenting:

Have a weekly game and movie night at home.
Read to the kid, every night.
Play with the kid at least three times each week (games, board games, Wii, etc.).

Marriage:

Go on once-a-month evening dates with my husband.
Go on a once-a-year marriage retreat (a long weekend away, somewhere close).
Go on a BIG trip, for our 10^th wedding anniversary.

Friendships/Extended Family:

Call grandparents every week (I really need to be better about this).
Call parents at least 2 times per week; visit at least 3 times per month.
Talk to people more… in person, on the phone (not just through text messages, email and social media).

Financial:

Create, and stick to, a new budget for 2013.
Continue saving 10 – 20 % of our income.

Blogging:

Switch from FeedBurner to FeedBlitz.
Attend a blogging conference.
Be a guest blogger on 4 different blogs.
Write an eBook.
Grow my average unique visitors per month by 20%.
Grow Facebook page fan count to 500.
Grow subscribers by 10%.
Post at least 3 – 4 times per week.

Have you set your 2013 goals yet? Leave a link, in the comments section.

photo source

Perseverance

January 15, 2013 By Bree 1 Comment

perseverance

I’m still working on my 2013 goals post (don’t want to rush it). But, I saw this idea at Gabbing with Grace, and loved it!

My “One Word for 2013″… It’s the work I’ll focus on and insert into my everyday life. It’s the word I’ll live by.

My word is: Perseverance

steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., especially in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.
(Theology) continuance in a state of grace to the end, leading to eternal salvation.

What’s your one word for 2013?

Live fully, laugh often and love much.

August 13, 2012 By Bree 2 Comments

I actually had an entirely different post scheduled for today, but I decided to postpone it until later.

This morning, as I was checking my Facebook feed, I found out that a former classmate of mine had passed away (the second in just a couple of months).

Now this post isn’t to lament on the fact that they are “gone to soon.” Because, even with my constant struggle to balance my religious beliefs with my personal beliefs (more on that later this month), I still believe in God and I still believe that when it’s your time to go, it’s your time to go. And, even though they will be missed, it’s not even really about the two wonderful men who are no longer here. No, this post is really about making good use of the time you have here, on Earth, while you’re here. How by not “sweating the small stuff,” you’re actually living a better life.

I try to remind myself that, every morning. If you’ve read any posts, I’ve written about the kid, you know that he is very… rambunctious. Well, take that, and add in a bit of stubbornness and a.m. slowness… you now have my typical weekday mornings. On Monday mornings, the hubs and I are both there (normally, he’s already at work when the kid and I wake up). This morning, the kid was giving the hubs a particularly difficult time. In an effort to get the hubs out of his funk, I tried to get him to smile. His reply, “I have nothing smile about, this morning.” To which I said, “That’s not true. You woke up this morning. You’re alive.” (I then proceeded to tell him about the most recent death of a former classmate. How he left behind children. How his mom lost a son.) “That’s true,” he said, thoughtfully. I think he got the point I was trying to make. I hope he got it. I get it. Do you?

I’m so sorry if this post was kind of “rambly,” but I just needed to pour out what was on my mind and in my heart.

Feminist Boymom

What about you? Are you a feminist boymom? How do you make sure your boy(s) embrace an “equality for women” mindset?