Scary Mommy

Like most, you're probably wondering, what in the world is Scary Mommy? Sounds like some new cheesy horror film, right? Well you guessed wrong! It's actually a well known blog that's major theme is around parenting styles. Jill Smokler, mother of four (including the fur baby), runs this fun and amusing parenting blog. In just 2008 Jill started an online baby book that she used in amusement while staying at home with her children. Little did she know her own form of amusement quickly transformed into a huge community of parents who all agreed on one thing, parenting DOESN'T have to be perfect! 

Are you a new or old parent wondering how you can become a part of this? Well, the great part about Scary Mommy is that anybody can become a blogger for this site! As long as you have a talent in writing about highly relate able parenting topics and are generally humorous, you just might make the cut and get paid for it. Cool right? Now you might ask, what kind of topics does Scary Mommy touch base on? Just browsing through the site you will notice links that go to pregnancy and birth, age related blogs up to the college years, special needs children, allergies, single parenting, even the dad perspective! Those were only a short list of all that Scary Mommy has to offer. You could probably name any topic that relates to parenthood and there would be at least one related blog that you can enjoy.

As a parent myself, I know how sometimes things can't be relate able with fellow friends and family. Especially if they don't have any children of their own. I can name numerous times that I've felt like a failure of a parent or wondered if I was even doing this whole parenting thing right? Turns out, I'm not alone! There's THOUSANDS of other parents out there going through exactly what I am and it gives you a form of comfort all just through one humorous little blog. So if you have something funny to say, write about it and send it in! I will leave the link to possibly become a Scary Mommy blogger below. And if you feel alone through your trying parenting journey, give Scary Mommy a chance. You never know how many people out there that can completely understand you.

http://www.scarymommy.com/write-for-scary-mommy/

Parenthood and Aspergers

Most people wonder what mothers do in their down time. You know, when the laundry is done, the house is clean, and the little ones are all down for glorious nap time. I can tell you right now the answer is very simple. That answer is, Netflix! We look forward to the days where we can just sink into the couch and find a good show that we can truly relate to. In fact, I'm pretty sure that most people can relate! What's better that getting deep into a show that hits you right where your memories lie? Where you can shake your head after a scene and say, "Yup I do that all of the time!" or "I totally remember those days". Having a show that you can wholeheartedly relate to is what really keeps you coming back for more.

I immediately got those feeling of relativity when I started watching the show, Parenthood. Being a parent is something that is the same label for everyone that has children but we all deal with it in different ways. Parenthood shines a light on all sides of raising children such as, your daughter having her first boyfriend, school issues, drugs, alcohol, HORMONES, divorce, and what has hit me the most, discovering your child is diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome. Asperger's, also known as a high functioning form of Autism, is portrayed through the character, Max Braverman. When I first began watching the television show I wasn't really informed about the Autism Spectrum and how it worked. I really felt for the parents who now had to swallow the fact that their child was diagnosed with something that can't be "fixed". I watched them go through different schooling, therapy, bullying, and the stares from others who didn't understand. Looking back now, I can see that I was someone who truly didn't undertand.

It wasn't until a few weeks into the season after Max's diagnosis that my son randomly became nonverbal and started showing symptoms of Autism. He became violent and would self harm himself by head banging because he could no longer communicate with me. It's been a long road since with Speech and Behavioral therapy along with trying to teach sign language to a two year old. After a three month wait we have finally been scheduled to come in for an evaluation at Kennedy Krieger with Center for Autism and Related Disorders. It's hit me like a wave and now I know exactly the feelings that the writers were trying to portray through Max's character, and it makes me happy! It makes me happy knowing that through television writers want masses to understand more about disabilities related to Autism. Through Max and his parents people may understand now why my son is having a meltdown in the middle of Target instead of assuming he's a "spoiled brat" or that I'm doing parenting completely wrong. Myself along with thousands of other parents have probably spent numerous times watching the show crying because now they don't feel alone in all of this.

So thank you Parenthood! Thank you for shining light on an important topic that not many know about. Thank you for the countless laughs and the countless tears because we swore nobody else got it. Thank you for portraying life at a realistic level other than one that portrays humans all the same. Not all individuals are mentally the same and deserve the same amount of understanding and respect. With that said, the only thing that you have ever done wrong in my eyes is canceling my absolute favorite show. I can only hope that other shows will start raising awareness by promoting it within their series in the future.

I have attached a link below of a fellow blogger who relates to Parenthood and Max's Asperger's Diagnosis.

http://www.autismohio.org/index.php/the-latest-news/general-news/2094-does-qparenthoodq-hit-the-mark-with-portrayal-of-child-with-aspergers

Hashtag Shout Your Abortion

 

Recently there has been a new trending topic going around social media called, "Shout Your Abortion". Most women are using this in a form of a hashtag so that it goes publicly through the internet for anyone to read. I was thrown back completely today when I noticed that Elle Magazine had actually published an article about the women who feel they are "talking about choice". They believe they are doing this by posting their personal experiences regarding past abortions and trying to make them positive experiences by "shouting their abortions" to social media.

Overall, as a mom of two it might be quite obvious that I am pro life. I have never made excuses for my actions and kept on keeping on by turning my life around and becoming a mother. I started my own photography and sales business that put myself back into college. I wasn't ready, like nobody ever is, but I feel that with the circumstances I have been given that I'm getting by pretty well. I have never, and will never, degrade someone for having an abortion. Although it is not my cup of tea and not a decision I would make, I know that they're circumstances that people are stuck in and everyone has their own story to tell. What does bother me completely is the aspect in which Elle Magazine, a magazine that thousands of women confide to, is supporting this hashtag making abortions a POSITIVE experience.

My question is, why are we making abortions not only positive but a form of birth control? Sure, someone could get an abortion and end up landing the dream career they always wished for. They don't have endless amounts of diapers to change, sleepless nights, and the never ending feeling of being broke because the cost of formula practically just sets your wallet on fire.  Why are we following the stereotype that if you ever have children before you are "ready", that you can no longer land that dream career you always wanted? This movement to empower women goes both ways! Not only should we quit shaming women for the legal decisions that we make, but we need to fight the stigma that if you have children that your life is no longer livable. Yes, it's important to have choices for our own bodies but please, don't scare anymore possible mothers out there to think they're life choices are slim to none. Stop making them think they need to abort a human life to be happy. This is not acceptable and quite frankly I'm ashamed that Elle Magazine is giving it publicity in this way.

I hope that women, such as myself, stand up on the other side of the spectrum and #ShoutOurMotherhood to Elle Magazine. I want this group of women to rise up as well, giving positive experiences that came with bearing and raising their children. How they gave us that indescribable feeling of overwhelming love and didn't stop us from achieving our goals. You can achieve happiness regardless of any decision you make with your body. Hang in there! You're much stronger than you seem!





http://twitchy.com/2015/09/21/shoutyouradoption-pro-lifers-fight-back-against-repulsive-pro-abort-hashtag-pics/