peskypippi.comBecause I have a lot to say…

“It takes a village to raise a child…”

So true. But in this case, it took a tribe.

My daughter had a little not-so-little school project. She was to write her own Pacific Northwest Native American-style myth, with symbolism. Her symbol was the raven. Her myth was How the Raven Stole Straw.

In Pacific Northwest Native American culture, the raven is a creature of metamorphosis, and symbolizes change and transformation. Often honored among holy men of tribes for its shape-shifting qualities, the raven was often called upon in ritual so that visions could be clarified. Foremost, the raven is the Native American bearer of magic.

So far so good. Her myth was written. Part two of her project was to create a visual to accompany her myth. It was about 9:00 p.m. on a school night and this project was due. The. Next. Day.

We needed a little raven magic.

My daughter had visions of creating a Native American blanket. A blanket?? Dude. It’s 9:00 p.m.

“How about drawing a raven, sweetie?” When faced with a challenge, I sometimes try to find a quick solution. It was now 9:18 p.m.

But my daughter was determined to make a blanket. My husband jumped in, ready to help his daughter clarify and realize her vision. He’s great like that.

The three of us formed our own sewing pow wow. Cutting. Sewing. Gluing. Laughing.

I’m not sure what time it was when the final button was attached, but the raven spirit came through that night to transform a piece of felt into…an A.

I have heard people say parents shouldn’t help their children with homework. Whatever. Sometimes, I think, it requires teamwork and relying on the elders in the community. Sometimes, it takes a tribe.

I’m linking up with the Yeah Write “moonshine” folks. Check them out!

It seems that proclaiming to be a mother who sucks has become the social norm. At least among bloggers. Oh, and TV shows.

There is a “mother debate,” spurred by an article by Rebecca Eckler, I’m Leaving My 10-Week Old To Go On Vacation, a mother, author and blogger, who left her 10-week infant (with trustworthy people watching him) while she vacationed in Mexico.

The question is not really about “should you or shouldn’t you leave your 10-week infant while you vacation.” I mean, to each her own.

I think the REAL debate is about our society’s downgrading of motherhood. Our culture seems to glorify mothers who, well, mothers who suck. And proclaiming to be a mother who sucks is now socially (social media) acceptable. To get viewers? To get blogger readers? To get Twitter followers?

To me, it seems like our societal motherhood bar is getting lower. Much like how the U.S. education system teaches to the “Lowest Common Denominator.”

@TheMamamash, got me thinking with her tweet: “I’m all for being realistic about parenting, but it seems like some blogs are getting dangerously close to glorifying truly shitty parents.”

Yeah, putting shitty parents on shiny pedestals.

But how can I pass judgment on other mothers? I can’t. What are my credentials? I never took any child psychology or early childhood education classes. All I know is I am doing my best to love and mother my children the best that I can. And I admit, the bar is kinda high.

We all suck sometimes. And as Mommy bloggers, we self-deprecate and tell stories about our weaknesses because we are genuine and true, and we think we are a little bit funny. But like @TheMamamash, I too, prickle when I see blogs by authors who claim I’m A Mother Who Sucks and I’m Proud of It.

•  @TheMamamash tweeted, “When you’re a good mother, you care when you’re not.”

• @Dalrie tweeted, “When you’re a good mother you always try and do better.”

I care. Yeah, I probably care too much. And yeah, that doesn’t make for an interesting read. Sorry. Check out what Alison has to say about this, in her post How to Go Viral.

Oh and by the way, when my first infant was 10 weeks old, I could barely leave him alone for two hours with Nana while showered or ran an errand, or maybe went jogging. See, I couldn’t leave. I had the loving-every-minute-of-being-with-my-infant-that-it-was-hard-to-leave feeling. I also had the guilt. Oh and the lactating breasts. If I WERE given the opportunity to travel to Mexico when my infant was 10 weeks old, I would probably loathe the way I looked–all haggard and heavy with my post-baby weight–squeezed into a one-piece and sarong. P.S. I got a puppy this summer and can barely stand to leave him alone for more than a few hours. #yeahthat

I did travel on a three-day business trip when my baby was 10 MONTHS old. I had to do a milking marathon in advance of the trip: pack and freeze. And in between meetings, I would pump-and-dump. I wore a fake face in the meetings, pretending that my heart and breasts didn’t ache and feel bruised.

I agree that there is a problem, too, with setting the motherhood bar too high. Those of us who do this, know who we are. Who wants to be a failure?

Alas, the motherhood bar. Not too high. Not too low. How about silver medal high?

Goofing around on the Internet with my children has become a fun, family activity. Here are some of our (and millions of others’) favorite videos on YouTube.

These little videos are a big cultural and social phenomenon. The original Chahlie-Bit-Me-It-Really-Huht (that’s “Charlie” and “hurt” with British accents) video from the U.K. has nearly 390,000,000 million views. Haven’t heard of it?

Then it’s time to crawl out from under that rock and partake in the social phenomenon and the fun. And prepare for some LOLing. Here are the six we will show Nana when she visits for Thanksgiving (because I’m guessing she may be one of the few who has not yet partaken):

• Charlie Bit Me

This internationally-famous little clip about two brothers with perfectly sweet British accents. My kids howl at the pain the baby inflicts on big brother (giving the baby power) and we doubly smile at the accents and imitate them all the time.

• The Crazy Nastyass Honey Badger

Love the narration. And it’s a great learning nature video. Did you know that the Guinness Book of World Records refers to the Honey Badger as “the most fearless animal in the animal kingdom?” After watching this, when I am on a rant at home, it’s code name “Honey Badger.” We all need to have our Honey-Badger-Mama moments. Watch out!

•  Sound of Music (flash mob dance in Belgium)

What is more positive than choreographed dancing in public? It’s a wonderful social phenomenon.

• Baby Laughing Hysterically at Ripping Paper

I mean, who doesn’t love a baby laughing? Especially over paper ripping? Face it, babies’ laughter is contagious. I remember when my children were babies and this sweet, sweet chuckling will forever be embedded in my mind. Darling!

•  Ultimate Tease

It’s the dog that talks and laments over his owner’s description of food, including bacon and cat treats.

•  Charlie the Unicorn

Another famous Charlie. But this one is a cynical (and depressed) unicorn, not a biting baby. Bizarre and out there, this animation is light-hearted—with one unicorn who isn’t–and end up “getting it” in the end. (Pun intended.)

Let me know if you have other family favorites!

November 1 marks el Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, a holiday celebrated in Mexico and beyond. It’s a time to remember, honor, and celebrate friends and family members who have died. The skeleton is likely the most recognized symbol for death. And in Mexican traditional culture, people make skulls out of white sugar. These are considered thoughtful offerings to the returning spirits.

But around my house, sugar skulls might get dissolved into the morning tea.

A safer–and more permanent–way for me to honor el Día de los Muertos, is to display my Mexican folk art paintings. These portray the joy and the sadness associated with the dead. I purchased these paintings in Oaxaca, Mexico…  Nah, psych, I bought these paintings on canvas on eBay. They are still hand-painted, one-of-a-kind pieces that celebrate the richness and color of traditional Mexican culture and artwork.

I, for one, have an appreciation for skeletons and their symbolism. Do you?