I don't know what it is about those Palin babes. From the painful moment I became aware of their existence they have confused me with their shallow sentiments and deep contradictions. Especially when it comes to the matter of motherhood. I wondered quietly, well, almost quietly, during the presidential campaign how Sarah, the woman presented to the world as a devoted mother of five, pro-life Christian found time to devote the much needed time to her special-needs infant. As a working mother of two sons, I barely have time to floss my teeth; the families I know with special needs children are wonders of patience and master jugglers and none of them holds or is running for public office. I read she flew home from a Republican Governors Association in Texas, an 8-9 hour flight, to deliver Trig after going into pre-term labor. I missed my best friend's New York wedding during the eighth month of a healthy pregnancy on the advise of my Los Angeles obstetrician. Perhaps bearing him in Alaska would prevent future "Birther" questions when he runs for governor?
And now we have Bristol cha-cha-cha-ing her way through Dancing With the Stars. Though judging from my couch I doubt she will last long, she was required to sign a contract committing her for the twelve-week run of the show with additional weeks of preparation. When you factor in the hours of rehearsal, the fittings, filming and publicity it adds up to three plus months of very long days and nights, 1/7th of young Tripp's life. It is a great way to shed the baby fat and avoid the terrible twos...
Reading her mother's twisted summation of Bristol's performance only added to my confusion.
"She's having the time of her life, and we are thankful. This is a story of perseverance, taking personal responsibility, and keeping her head up while having faith. What seems like a great challenge can turn into a great blessing."
That would be quite apt if she were referring to her unwed teen's foray into motherhood.
I can't say that the hands-on-within-reason parenting style I've chosen will insure my sons will grow into confident, healthy, productive men with any more certainty than I can say that her "get-outta-my-way-kid, mama's got an entrance to make" style guarantees she will leave her children more vulnerable to lapses in judgment (like not using birth control for example) as they enter adulthood. What I do know is that this self-professed "Mama Grizzly" isn't showing me the fight for her cubs, nor has she set much of an example of motherly presence for Bristol.
It just seems hypocritical to me that Sarah Palin stands winking on her moral berm of freedom, flag and family (oh, and that personal responsibility thing), bails on the governor job mid-stream and ditches her kids for the spotlight. The bulk of my professional career has been spent as a card-carrying (and working) member of three actor's unions and the ACLU, so I do feel a kinship to the cause and the footlights, I just chose not to stump my way through life as Supermom. I also chose to be there for my kids.
If you want it your way Ms. and Mrs. Palin, fine. Just shut up and dance.