by dM

A recent episode of Good Morning America aired segments featuring moms who work outside the home and moms who have left the traditional work force to be more available to their children while they are young. The segments were called, "The Mommy Wars" and they sort of pitted mothers in different situations against one another. Both "sides" were asked questions about whether moms on the other side were "missing anything" by making their choices in terms of work and family. While the discussion was civil, it was clear that the segments were designed to define the question of mothers' lifestyle decisions as controversial and contentious.

I strongly disagree with that characterization and I am quite weary of other people defining our lifestyle choices for us. Please read my blog about it here, and share your thoughts on the topic.

If you are an at home mom, I hope you are supportive of mothers who have chosen a different path. If you are a mom in the work force, I hope you are supportive of mothers who have chosen a different path. If you are not a mom, but you love people who are, I hope you support their lifestyle choices even if you do not agree with them. Mothers need all the support they can get. A supported mom can be of more benefit to her children because she is able to provide them with a more stable and predictable environment, and this benefits all of us.

During this month -- National Women's History Month -- let's honor the women who paved the way for us to have the option to either stay at home or participate in the work force. Let's remember that we can ban together the common good, and we can build each other up rather than tear each other down.

This month, take Just A Moment to:

1. Call a mother who is going through a tough time and tell her that you love her. Offer to help her in some way during this month.

2. Examine your lifestyle choices, whether or not you are a mother, and explore whether they are reflective of what you feel called in life to do and be, or whether they are reflective of what you feel society has called you to do and be.

3. Visit the National Women's History Month website and meet the 2006 Women's History Month honorees, and celebrate Black women's history while you're there.