[guatparents2be]

Hey all, I'm not wanting to get into the politics or the pro-life/anti-abortion discussion but have been wondering what you guys think about Palin going for this job as a mom with several little ones including one with Down's Syndrome.

As a feminist I find myself with very very mixed opinions about it. This is the one place that I know anyone with similar religious views to Palin, and am honestly so busy with my own life I haven't gotten to chat with many other women about it.

SO without getting your political hat on, what do you think of a VP and possible president doing this job with young children at home?

[Niclayson]

Well, Obama has young kids at home, Bush had young kids at home, Kennedy had young kids at home...etc...you get the picture. Reality is it is only a decision that Palin and her hubby can make!

Is it role reversal to traditional families? Yep, but I have to tell you as I have struggled to work, deal with attachment difficulties, and tackle a dual graduate degree...my husband has stepped to the plate and been Mom and Dad in many situations...and my kids have thrived. My family was grown stronger.

Dad's don't get enough credit and Mom's get too many guilt trips. Just my thoughts.

PS. I HATE POLITICS!!!

[cjrogers]

Great question.

I think that if she has trusted help and family members who can support her, then go for it. I don't know anything about her husband, but perhaps he is going to pick up the slack and/or be the primary parent while she chases her dreams. And I think that is OK. She likely can afford help, tutors, etc.

I think it's fine if her "balance" is unlike many others' "balance".

I can tell you firsthand - my mom never chased her dreams, she had children and gave it all up. She loved us, but don't think for a minute that we couldn't see that she did not have a "full" life. This was a woman who gave up her dream of being a veterinarian because someone else told her that she had to be 100% mom. Now she has a son that hasn't spoken to her in 7 years. Give me a break.

Children grow up and leave the house. Then what? I feel the best parents are those who keep a balance between their focus and their children's.

Right now I work a demanding job and my DH is really the "primary" parent. He does alot more "mommy" work than I have ever and probably will ever do. He's turning out fine, probably better than if it were the other way around.

[arthymom]

I'm impressed that she would want it with so much on her plate already.

And yet if she has managed her balance and seems to have such popularity in Alaska, then why not?

On the other hand, my concern is more about experience, which mirrors my concern about Obama. (So you see that my concern is fairly distributed between both parties!)

So in terms of her shattering the glass ceiling and juggling her life...She's the best judge of that one.

[alreadylove2005]

I'm a stay at home mom, more than happy to give up career as a CPA/CFO to be home with Maya. It's the best job I've ever had. Not one second thought.

That said, if I had the chance to be VP when I was her age, I'd go for it.

If the need arises, she'll be incredibly busy being President, but correct me if I'm wrong, is the VP that busy? In fact, I think I saw a quote from her that she DIDN'T want the nomination because the VP doesn't do much and she likes to be productive. Obviously, she changed her mind

I say, go, girl! Shatter that ceiling into a billion pieces! Make room for my daughter some day.

[Mindybeth6]

I thinks she's awesome. Truly. I have done a lot of research on her since the VP was announced. There is always going to be someone who says she should be at home with her children being a mom. However, she has the right to make her own decisions and her family seems very close and her children seem well taken care of. I know so many people are jumping in to point out that she should take care of Trig. But it is obvious to me that she DOES and she is the Gov. right now. So it's not like is going from an empty plate to a full plate. As for Bristol being pregnant, I feel that is a personal affair between her family and I do not pass judgement on her as a mother because her daughter is expecting, regardless of the fact she is pro-abstinence education. Many successful career-oriented people are wonderful mothers. FABULOUS mothers.

So yes, if it were me in her shoes, I would have gone for it to. She is in the position to change the political world in an amazing way. What an opportunity! And no, I don't feel this way because I am voting McCain. I feel this way because she is amazing as a person IMO and I would say the same thing about various women in the other side of the party from me.

[ej-momtobe]

I don't see how she will be able do it. I have one son (2 1/2) and a supportive DH. The demands of my job and the travel (2-3 days/month) are very hard when you have a little one...and my job is not near as demanding as VP. I don't see how men do it either, by the way..although I know it is more common for men.

[SKL]

Work makes some people tired, but it energizes some people. I know that personally, I am most productive, effective, and happy when I have a LOT to do. That said, I wouldn't want to be VP because dealing with "people" drains me. But, I have friends who get energized from interactions. So maybe she's like that. I guess she'd know better than anyone else, right? Her current job is pretty high-stress and hectic.

[jules17]

I'm a bit torn. My mom was home with us in the "early years" (so early I don't remember them) and then was a career woman. So I guess torn that Trig has special needs and is so young. But ultimately...

I truly don't think I will ever be able to thank my mom enough for reaching her educational and career aspirations. She modeled incredible life lessons for me. Granted, my mom wasn't a VP, but she was many, many things. And she never missed a school function, a PTA meeting or a soccer game.

When I talk to her about it now, she admits that she was tired a lot. But I never knew it.

[adoptnky]

I'm personally very excited for her.

Many people think that women should have a choice in either being a SAHM or working - but when presented with someone like Palin, many of us say that she shouldn't have a choice.

I haven't heard anyone ask why Obama isn't staying home and taking care of his young children. But, so many people are talking about how Palin should be doing just that.

I guess I thought our country was further along in our ability to allow women to make that kind of choice.

Kim

(who is WAY too into politics to really get into it on this public forum!!)

[busterleroy]

Honestly, I think the hardest part for her will be between now and November.

That is when she and her family will face the most scrutiny.

That is when she will be the busiest.

And while there is no denying that VP is a 'big' job, it is FAR more conducive to family life than the presidency.

And if, by chance, anyone from the media is reading this - please, please leave her 17 year old daughter alone. It is really below the belt to attack her.

[JoshGuat]

I like her. I think if she gets elected, she will do a great job raising her family with her political responsibilities. She seems to have focus.

[jandc]

While it is almost impossible for me to separate the politics from this I have to say I am not that impressed. She is just not the role model of "doing it all" I want for my daughter. Ooops, I don't think I can do this without injecting my views so I will stop...

[CEB]

I should not get started on this but I have to say that I do not think that Sarah Palin's family life is a large factor for determining her qualification to be VP anymore that it is for Barak Obama or any other past president or VP who had young children while in office (ie JFK). I also agree that her daughter's pregnancy is not relevant and her business, whereas her alleged attempt to fire a public appointee in Alaska for supposed personal reasons for which she just hired an attorney are relevant - whatever the facts turn out to be (I certainly dont know). Also, the questions as to whether she has appropriate qualification to hold this office from an experience/policy position viewpoint, and whether McCain's decision making process was thoughtful, is one that will get me in trouble so I will stop. I should add that I am the primary wage earner in our family and DH is primary care provider right now and I think that is a fine model to present.

[guatparents2be]

first, thanks everyone for keeping the discussion to the question. we all know how strongly many of us feel about politics.

i am the primary wage earner in my family. i work a lot. DH works part time. i am rabidly left and rabidly feminist. i also happen to think that children need their parents around when they are little. i admit, this is in response to being a kid whose parents both worked outside the home, commuted over an hour in each direction, and were pretty unavailable. i think it is different for each kid. i think that if there is a choice though, that when they are little, it is best to err on the side of caution.

also, i do think that there is a difference though between a mom working a typical job or a high pressure job, even as governor vs a mom working as vice president or possibly president (any vp has this possibility) perhaps especially to a child with special needs (i'm not sure about this one, just thinking 'out loud.')

some of my friends are giving me much flack about this btw. but i have always been one to make decisions apart from party lines.