The Little Paper

I am slowly accepting the fact that I am one opinionated little mother. This will come as no surprise to my friends and family. Even less of one to the women I work with. But for me, it’s been a slow enlightening. And one I’m just learning to embrace. As much as parenthood opens us up to spontaneity and to the fundamental unpredictability of the universe, it also tends to clarify and firm up our beliefs. So in honour of this Mothers’ Day, here’s my shortlist...

I believe in neighbourhoods. I believe that shopping locally is a great way to build and support our communities. I believe that families have the power to transform cities. I believe that I am hopelessly indebted to the moms and dads who volunteer but I believe I’ll still keep my hand in my lap at the next call for helpers. I believe that if a corporate dynasty wants my child to have their cartoon character on her lunch box, it’s advertising and she should get paid for it. I believe that my children need me to be firm as much as they love me to be silly. I believe that television is no substitute for parenting and that I’d never get to read a newspaper without Sunday morning cartoons. I believe that love, in whatever form it finds you, counts for almost everything and that a glass of wine usually takes care of the rest. Sometimes I believe that I’m a really great mom and sometimes I think that I’m a total horror show of a parent.

Like you, I am doing my best to do my best most of the time. And most of the time I know that being a mother is the best job there is. (Except for maybe international woman of mystery but I think I might be out of the running for that one.) Anyway, no matter what you believe, believe this... you are loved. Happy Mother’s Day from me and from all moms and dads of The Little Paper!