Featured

Stirring the Pot : Celebrating ‘Moms’ … not mothers

Published

10 years ago

May 6, 2014

It’s not easy being a “Mom.”

It’s a 24/7/365 job – yes, I said J-O-B – that is not for the faint of heart. It is not a profession that you can walk away from when you choose, but unfortunately, there are many women who just can’t handle it.

In my eyes, giving birth doesn’t make you a Mom … it only makes you “mother.”

Sure, anybody can take care of a child if placed with the task. Not unlike being responsible for one’s own self, it’s easy to bath, feed, cloth and perform basic must-dos, but how many people do you know, hear about or read about who can barely do that?

On Sunday, women around the globe will be lauded with flowers, gifts and more from their birth and self-adopted offspring as a way to say, “Thank you for all you do, MOM.”

That’s right Mom … not mother. Happy Mom’s Day!

So how do you go from a “mother” to a “Mom?” Here are a few things I’ve learned over the last almost 29 years as a Mom:

Patience is #1 – If you can master this one, you are golden. I see too many women who will give a young child whatever they want, and even take it away, due to lack of patience. When a Mom is able to incorporate a teaching moment into behavioral lessons nothing a child can do – including flushing the contents of your purse down the toilet, playing barber on a younger sibling or crying nonstop until he or she falls asleep – will produce more than a smile in return.

She who laughs last – will find that every situation has a comical side. So what if your child thinks that the annual school play is his or her moment to start her or his own comedy career. Or you know when your child is quick to tell your boss the truth about your “24-hour bug” you called off work for? But note: Profanity and sexual innuendos, which I have seen too many videos on social media recently featuring kids using it, do not warrant cuteness and is not something he or she will grow out of.

DIY everything! – Thanks to the many Christmases I served as Santa’s helper and put together bikes, I can add handywoman to my resume. Sure it’s easy to pay for others to do things for your children, but doing it yourself teach them a sense of pride and ownership and will foster memories for a lifetime.

Unconditional Love – Too many claim to have it, but far too few truly understand the meaning. Love is not a switch to be turned off when a child upsets, embarrasses and/or goes against your morals/values. Often times this is when he or she needs you most. “Disowning” and “shunning” is just another form of hate masquerading as misunderstanding. If you want to understand, you will.

So to all those #MOMS around the world, I wish you a Wonderful Day! May you continue to bless the world with your #Love, #Guidance, #Support and #Inspiration!

Michelle Fitzhugh-Craig is an award-winning, professional journalist who resides in Oakland. If you have an individual, organization, issue or other topic that may be of interest to our readers, contact her at talk2mfc@yahoo.com. Need more stirring? Visit stpminute.blogspot.com.

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Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024

The printed Weekly Edition of the Oakland Post: Week of April 24 – 30, 2024

Published

6 days ago

April 26, 2024

Oakland Post

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Alameda County

DA Pamela Price Stands by Mom Who Lost Son to Gun Violence in Oakland

Last week, The Post published a photo showing Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones, whose son, Patrick DeMarco Scott, was gunned down by an unknown assailant in 2018.

Published

1 week ago

April 22, 2024

Oakland Post

District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones

Publisher’s note: Last week, The Post published a photo showing Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price with Carol Jones, whose son, Patrick DeMarco Scott, was gunned down by an unknown assailant in 2018. The photo was too small for readers to see where the women were and what they were doing. Here we show Price and Jones as they complete a walk in memory of Scott. For more information and to contribute, please contact Carol Jones at 510-978-5517 at morefoundation.help@gmail.com. Courtesy photo.

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City Government

Vallejo Welcomes Interim City Manager Beverli Marshall

At Tuesday night’s Council meeting, the Vallejo City Council appointed Beverli Marshall as the interim city manager. Her tenure in the City Manager’s Office began today, Wednesday, April 10. Mayor Robert McConnell praised Marshall’s extensive background, noting her “wide breadth of experience in many areas that will assist the City and its citizens in understanding the complexity of the many issues that must be solved” in Vallejo.

Published

1 week ago

April 22, 2024

Oakland Post

Beverli Marshall began her first day with the City on April 10. ICMA image.

Special to The Post

At Tuesday night’s Council meeting, the Vallejo City Council appointed Beverli Marshall as the interim city manager. Her tenure in the City Manager’s Office began today, Wednesday, April 10.

Mayor Robert McConnell praised Marshall’s extensive background, noting her “wide breadth of experience in many areas that will assist the City and its citizens in understanding the complexity of the many issues that must be solved” in Vallejo.

Current City Manager Michael Malone, whose official departure is slated for April 18, expressed his well wishes. “I wish the City of Vallejo and Interim City Manager Marshall all the best in moving forward on the progress we’ve made to improve service to residents.” Malone expressed his hope that the staff and Council will work closely with ICM Marshall to “ensure success and prosperity for the City.”

According to the Vallejo Sun, Malone stepped into the role of interim city manager in 2021 and became permanent in 2022. Previously, Malone served as the city’s water director and decided to retire from city service e at the end of his contract which is April 18.

“I hope the excellent work of City staff will continue for years to come in Vallejo,” he said. “However, recent developments have led me to this decision to announce my retirement.”

When Malone was appointed, Vallejo was awash in scandals involving the housing division and the police department. A third of the city’s jobs went unfilled during most of his tenure, making for a rocky road for getting things done, the Vallejo Sun reported.

At last night’s council meeting, McConnell explained the selection process, highlighting the council’s confidence in achieving positive outcomes through a collaborative effort, and said this afternoon, “The Council is confident that by working closely together, positive results will be obtained.”

While the search for a permanent city manager is ongoing, an announcement is expected in the coming months.

On behalf of the City Council, Mayor McConnell extended gratitude to the staff, citizen groups, and recruitment firm.

“The Council wishes to thank the staff, the citizens’ group, and the recruitment firm for their diligent work and careful consideration for the selection of what is possibly the most important decision a Council can make on behalf of the betterment of our City,” McConnell said.

The Vallejo Sun contributed to this report.