Vote Like A Mother

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You’re reading Modern Motherhood Musings, a weekly newsletter written from one mom to another. Each week I share an honest reflection on motherhood, and a collection of things bringing me joy. I’m passionate about community, and I hope that by sharing our stories, we all feel a little less alone. Some links in this newsletter are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I may receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!

If the climate and rhetoric of the past decade have caused you to tune out or disengage from politics, hopefully, this email will motivate you to listen, learn, and get involved again. It's my belief that the extreme voices on both sides win when everyday women like us choose not to speak up and participate.

If you would have asked me a few years ago why I voted the way I did, I would have been hard-pressed to tell you anything specific about policies or positions, but after having kids, something in me shifted. I realized that one day, they'd be curious and the thought of being unable to answer their questions terrified me. It set me off on a pursuit to define what I believed in.

What I've realized, is that policies that disproportionately affect women are being passed by the people we're electing into office, and I want to make sure that the people I'm voting for prioritize the things that are most important to me as a woman and mother.

I know we all come from various backgrounds, and walks of life, and I want you to know I’m not trying to convince you to vote or believe like I do. This is simply to encourage you to do research, be informed, have opinions, and use your voice.

Did you know that child care now costs more than housing in all 50 states? I want to elect officials who are deeply concerned about this statistic, and will fight to implement policies that make child care more affordable. This isn't just a parent crisis; it's an economic one.

My decision to have a third child has been impacted by recent rulings. I've had two high-risk pregnancies, and at 35, I would be considered Advanced Maternal Age, increasing my odds of complications further. If my pregnancy had any complication that put my life at risk, there is nothing my doctor could do to help me. I'm voting for candidates who will choose to fight for my life.

I send two precious boys to school every day, and every day, I am terrified about a school shooting occurring. My two-year-old and four-year-old practice lockdown and intruder drills, in preschool! I'm voting for candidates who choose to fight for the safety of my children and pass common-sense gun laws, because firearms are now the leading cause of death for children in America.

An immigrant has helped us raise our two babies. She’s one of the hardest workers I know, and she pays her fair share of taxes. I've seen how difficult accessing affordable healthcare has been for her and the impact it’s had on her daily life. I've also watched the path, process, and hoops she's had to jump through to obtain her citizenship. I'm voting for candidates who treat people like her with dignity, respect, and humanity.

I'm voting for candidates who care about feeding the children in school who can't learn because they're hungry.

I'm voting for candidates who are working to help the sandwich generation, who are disproportionately female, and who are burdened with caring for their children and aging parents with little to no resources or support.

I'm voting for candidates who will fight for guaranteed paid leave for all parents and caregivers across America, something we severely lag behind compared to other developed nations.

These are the issues that have become vital to me as a woman and a mother. They'll be my guiding principles when I submit my ballot, and I know that when my children ask, I'll be able to respond to their question with confidence.

We are at such an advantage in 2024 compared to previous generations. We have the internet at our fingertips, and we can do all of the research, reading, and learning ourselves. I would encourage you to dig in.

My mom and I had the pleasure of attending an event recently where Jenna Busch Hager spoke. One of the things that struck me the most is how her parents and grandparents always encouraged her to listen and learn from people who saw the world differently than she did. She stressed the idea that as humans, what we believe at 20 might look different than it does at 30, 40, 50, etc.

Let's get back to that place. Let's be women who sit across from other women who think and believe differently than we do and let’s take the time to listen and understand with empathy.

Let's model respect towards one another, for our children. Let's emphasize the beautiful freedom to change our minds and opinions, as we learn and grow through different seasons of life.

In less than 20 days, we have the chance to make our voices heard. Please don't sit on the sidelines on November 5th. Show up and fight for the things that you believe in. Our children deserve to see us using our rights to make our country and community a better place for them, and for all of us.

P.S. If you’re looking for non-partisan voting resources, check out a few of the sites below.

• Vote 411

• League of Women Voters

• Vote .Org

🥘 This time of year, a week hardly goes by where I don’t use my Dutch Oven. I love this affordable version by Lodge. We have the 6 Quart size and it works great, but I’ll probably buy the 8 Quart in the near future.

🎶 If you’re starting to do some early holiday shopping, this orchestra toy is one of the best things we gifted the kids last year. It allows them to learn about different instruments, and the impacts they have to a song.

🥗 This Kale and Butternut Squash Recipe has been a repeat recipe for us at Thanksgiving the past few years. It’s a delicious way to lighten up a menu that’s heavy with gravy, mashed potatoes, and stuffing.

I hope you read this week’s musing with love, and will choose to still stick around!

Happy Friday, Friends! I hope y’all have a great weekend!

🎉 I have a fun gift for you! Use the button below to share this newsletter with 1 friend and you’ll receive an email with a list of every link that’s been featured on Modern Motherhood Musings.

You can sort the items by category like “recipe” so that you don’t have to go search for old links again!

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