Category: mothers

  • Owls are good parents

    A mother owl sits on her next for nearly 24 hours a day, with her head low and stomach down. She keeps her eggs at the right temperature, cool when it’s hot and warm when it’s cold. A breeding Snowy Owl will keep her eggs close to 98 degrees, even when the temperature plummets to…

  • Maternal mortality

    These are bleak statistics. The United States ranks 46th in the world for maternal mortality, reports Ms. magazine And, the United States is the only wealthy nation that doesn’t provide paid maternity leave. Globally, paid maternity leave averages 29 weeks.

  • Beauty and dignity

    Qian Julie Wang, author of Beautiful Country, reports that her mother told her “that a woman could be beautiful without being pretty, but that a woman could not be beautiful without having dignity.”

  • Happy Mother’s Day!

    Happy Mother’s Day to my mother, of course! Happy Mother’s Day, too, to a number of women friends who, through the years, have nurtured me, helped me survive and thrive, listened and lectured, always been available when I needed them. Thank you! –Joy

  • A book for Mother’s Day

    I just remembered a delightful children’s book called The Mother’s Day Mice. It’s a story by Eve Bunting about three mice children who decide to look for a present for their mother. One suggests a rock. Another suggests a daisy. “They’re nice, but not special enough for this special day,” says Little Mouse. Finally, Biggest…

  • Remember your duty

    Sarah Grimke’s mother tells her daughter, born in 1792, “The truth is that every girl must have ambition knocked out of her for her own good….Sarah, darling, you’ve fought harder than I imagined, but you must give yourself over to your duty and your fate and make whatever happiness you can.” I am reading about…

  • Happy Mother’s Day

    I told my husband Jerry this morning that I bet there are lots of mothers—like me—who wish they could hug their children on Mother’s Day—and I bet there are lots of mothers—with children who are younger—who wish they could have a few hours of peace without their children. Happy Mother’s Day! Mothers with adult children—like…

  • Unconditional love

    “As a child,” David Brooks concludes in his new book, “each person’s emotional and spiritual foundation is formed by the unconditional love of a caring adult.” I hope you received that unconditional love from your mother. If you did, be grateful. If she is still alive, tell her thank you on Mother’s Day. Brooks’ new…

  • Many mothers

    I had one mother, but I have many women who have “mothered” me—women who have nurtured me, supported me, helped me when I needed help. I am going to tell a few of them how much I appreciate them on this Mother’s Day. –Joy

  • Welcoming babies in the Senate

    The U.S. Senate voted unanimously to allow members to bring their newborns on the chamber floor. Some older male senators were reluctant at first because they feared their colleagues would breastfeed or change diapers in the Senate chamber, Ms. magazine reported in its summer 2018 issue. Because of this rule change, Senator Tammy Duckworth can…