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The Herald Scotland
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Herald Scotland
Is being a mom worth it? What liberals miss about parenting
In June, The New York Times opinion section published a video called "Motherhood Should Come With a Warning Label." Under the guise of discussing the financial and career penalties associated with motherhood, the video featured mothers complaining about the burden of children. In 2023, on The Daily Show, comedian and outspoken liberal Chelsea Handler had a snarky response to allegedly being shamed for not being a mother by shaming mothers and their children: "I've got news for everyone. Instead of shaming childless women for what we're doing to the country, you should be thanking us. We are saving society. ... We have a lower carbon footprint. We're the reason there are fewer screaming children on airplanes, in movie theaters and restaurants." The audience erupted in applause. The mainstream discourse that smears motherhood has emboldened moms to speak out with similar disdain. A Facebook group called "I regret having children" has 83,000 followers. A viral TikTok post from a mother about how much she regretted having a child has 1.7 million likes and more than 200,000 shares. Recently, the New York Post ran a column about an influencer who hates being a mom and has no problem advertising it. I don't have a problem with talking about the difficulties of motherhood. Post-partum depression, feelings of isolation and the loss of income that mothers suffer (more so than fathers) are real and important issues. But mainstream media and progressives are quick to bash motherhood and children as if the whole idea is backward, burdensome and beneath women in our supposedly enlightened age. They paint a negative picture of motherhood that isn't true and scares away younger women. As a mom, I'm sick of it. Motherhood and parenting need a rebranding. And conservatives are up to the task. Opinion: What if I told you conservative women, not liberals, embrace true feminism? Parenting is a gift for moms and dads Actor Bob Odenkirk tapped into this recently when he joined actor Mike Birbiglia on his podcast "Working it out." Birbiglia asked Odenkirk, "Who are you jealous of?" Odenkirk gave a touching response that brought tears to my eyes: "Anybody who's still got little kids at home, growing up. There's no question I knew what I was doing when I had kids growing up. I was being a dad. I mean that was my job." I love the unabashed sense of joy, purpose and even longing Odenkirk describes when he says he missed raising kids. My eldest child graduated from high school this year, and I certainly understood the sentiment that time goes by quickly. When life gets busy with work and school, I try to remind myself I will miss these days, just as I already miss the days when my children were small enough for me to hold them in my lap. I agree with Odenkirk that raising children brings mothers and fathers joy and purpose in a unique way. It also requires sacrifice, integrity and intentionality - qualities everyone should embody. I wish more people would talk about the upside of parenting. More people would want to be parents if we did. Opinion: I'm tired of being mocked and hated because I'm a conservative woman Conservatives should help rebrand parenting as a positive According to a 2022 Tulane University study, becoming a parent can shift individuals toward more conservative viewpoints. There's even a conservative fertility advantage - data shows that people with kids are more likely to be Republicans. Yet, birth rates continue to decline, which is an indication that conservatives need to be better brand ambassadors for parenting. Opinion: Texas Democrats look bad in redistricting fight. Republicans look even worse. The Wall Street Journal recently published a feature about conservative mothers who work and raise their children. It was a breath of fresh air. It's impossible to "have it all," and it certainly is difficult to balance motherhood and a career. But I appreciated the positive framing of the story. These conservative women love their work and kids. It is possible. Opinion newsletter: Sign up for our newsletter on conservative values, family and religion from columnist Nicole Russell. Get it delivered to your inbox. I get the need women have to vent about the frustrations and difficulties of motherhood. Conservatives should not shy from hard conversations about financial burdens, income inequity and difficulties in finding affordable childcare. We should lean into these topics and advocate for policies that can help. Yet women, especially conservative women, also should be more vocal about the benefits of motherhood. It's fun, fulfilling and exciting. I love being a mom and I think more people should have kids - a lot of them. Motherhood is an incredible experience I wouldn't trade for all the money in the world. Conservative women might know that best of all. Nicole Russell is a columnist at USA TODAY and a mother of four who lives in Texas. Contact her at nrussell@ and follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @russell_nm. Sign up for her weekly newsletter, The Right Track, here.
Winnipeg Free Press
7 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Winnipeg Free Press
Take smoke signals for what they are and move on
Opinion DEAR MISS LONELYHEARTS: My summer romance is choking on the smoke! Is this to be expected in our freakish fire situation, or are we just not suited to each other? I'm about ready to throw in the towel. Here's what happened. My new guy and I were falling in love quickly in June, so we rented a little cottage together for July and August, optimistically thinking the wildfire situation would clear up. What a sad joke! We have rarely been able to stay at the lake more than two or three days running because of the smoke. So, we gave up our cottage early, to another couple we know, for the rest of our August rental period. Hopefully they have stronger, healthier lungs than we do. Smoke really kills the fun of a new romance, because you can't go anywhere together. We were getting really sick of each other, to be truthful. He is a whiny pessimist, and I am always the cheerful optimist. On days when it was so smoky it was questionable if we'd stay at the lake one more night, I'd say, 'OK, let's just close the windows tight and block around the doors, and stay inside and play board games tonight!' He'd scowl and get way too quiet. I knew he just wanted to jump in the car, and head back to the city. Most couples don't get 'tested' so hard and so early in their relationship, but our reality is we've had one argument after another. Frankly, his scowling has gotten on my nerves more than the smoke! Is this happening to everybody, or is it a personal difference between us that can never be resolved? — Smoked Out, North Kildonan Dear Smoked Out: Two optimists usually do well together. Oddly, two pessimists can also do well playing 'Ain't it awful' and complaining about everything. But, optimists and pessimists, like you two, can get on each other's nerves. The optimist tries to buoy both people up and feels crushed by the weight of the response of the pessimist — more sulking, more negativity. You two opposites are actually lucky to experience the true other early on, and in an extreme situation. You get a forecast of what marriage might be like, when things get difficult. It doesn't matter how many common activities you both enjoy in good times, it's how you react in the hard times that will forecast how you do long-term. Partnered with a strong and optimistic person like yourself, you could really fly! So, let go of this sad relationship and look to a better future with a happy, hopeful guy. Dear Miss Lonelyhearts: I lost my wife to cancer after a difficult battle. She's 'free' now and I try to comfort myself with that. But now I stand to lose my daughter, too. She's furious I'm dating the closest friend of my wife, and she's hinting strongly that we must have been cheating behind her sick mother's back to be a new couple so soon after her death. Miss L., it was a long painful illness, and it hurt everybody watching it happen. By the time my wife died I was praying for the mercy of release, for her. She even told me to start looking for a new wife, because I was such a loving man! What do I say to my upset daughter now? I can't imagine telling her that! — Painful Mess, Westwood Dear Painful Mess: Both you and your wife's best friend need to talk to your daughter privately, and that will take courage. Be aware that you and your new mate cannot present as a duo to try to work this out with your daughter. Just the visual of you two standing together as a new couple would send her right up the wall. You need to explain to your daughter — when you're alone — how much you loved her mother and how much you will always miss her. Assure her this new situation was just a friendship while her mom — the great love of your life — was still alive. Your daughter needs to know there was never any competition between this woman and her mother. But now, you and your wife's friend are both alone, and finding some comfort in being together. Give your daughter the emotional space to reject this speech from you — for a time, at least — and sort it out over coming weeks. In the meantime, continue with this woman friend, but don't overtly act like a new romantic couple. Forget any public affection. In time, things will feel a lot less painful for everybody. Then one day, you can possibly think about marrying your late wife's friend. Now is definitely not the time, no matter how lonely and sad you may feel. Please send your questions and comments to lovecoach@ or Miss Lonelyhearts c/o the Winnipeg Free Press, 1355 Mountain Ave., Winnipeg, MB, R2X 3B6. Maureen ScurfieldAdvice columnist Maureen Scurfield writes the Miss Lonelyhearts advice column. Read full biography Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Irish Independent
25-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
Ros Tapestry back in Wexford after four year stint in Kilkenny
The exhibition is now open at the Waterfront (opposite the Dunbrody visitor centre), in New Ross, having been returned from Kilkenny Castle where it was on loan and was brought to a wider audience over the past four years. The Bring it Home campaign was started by the Board of the Ros Tapestry to raise funds for the development of its new location, which is now open to visitors. The Festival will include free tours of Medieval New Ross and entrance to guided tours of the Ros Tapestry. The stitchers' workshop will also be open for viewing for those who wish to see the stitchers at work and learn about the making of the tapestry. The exhibition will be officially opened in the evening by New Ross native, Prof. Briona Nic Dhiarmada, writer and producer of From That Small Island series. The Ros Tapestry was the brain-child of Rev. Paul Mooney of St Mary's church, in 1998. It was inspired by the Bayeux Tapestry which portrays the Norman conquest of England in 1066. The panels were created from cartoons painted by local artist Ann Bernstorff, which were painstakingly traced onto Jacobean linen. The stitchers then choose the stitches and colours that reflect the cartoon drawings bringing the tale of our Norman past to life. The stitching of the panels has been done over the past 27 years by 180 volunteer stitchers, and commenting on their work, the Chairperson of New Ross Needlecraft, Mary Lou O'Kennedy said 'their dedication and love of the craft is evident in each and every one of the panels.' Guided tours will take place on the day of the Bring it Home festival, free of charge, and hourly from 11am to 2pm which will included a visit to the various sites throughout the town that are referred to in the Ros Tapestry, led by history guru, Myles Courtney. There will also be a special viewing from 11am to 12pm for those who wish to see the tapestry stitchers at work in their workshop at 14 The Quay. "This exhibition has been made possible by the private donations and sponsorship received for the Bring It Home campaign fund-raising events and the Bring It Home GoFundMe page. Additionally, we received loan funding from Clann Credo Community Loan Finance, without whom it would not have been possible,' Ms O'Kennedy said. 'This festival celebrates all those who have created the Ros Tapestry, telling the tale of medieval New Ross and the South-East of Ireland. It has been created by the voluntary work of the stitchers and the board members who have served as guardians and managers of the Ros Tapestry, its stitching and exhibition, and the planning for its permanent home which will be in the new Norman Centre in New Ross, which is under development,' she added. This festival is funded through Fáilte Ireland in partnership with Wexford County Council under the Festival Grant Scheme 2025. Booking at info@ or 087 3720274, is essential for both tours during the Bring it Home festival.
India Today
18-06-2025
- General
- India Today
Fire on Singapore-flagged cargo ship off Kerala coast partially contained
The blaze aboard the Singapore-flagged cargo ship, which caught fire last week off the Kerala coast, is partially contained, the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) said on to a DGS report about the situation as of June 17, there is a noticeable reduction in visible flames and smoke intensity across most zones of the vessel -- MV Wan Hai 503 -- that caught fire after an explosion in one of the containers aboard. The vessel was heading to Colombo from other positive developments were the vessel's reduced speed, its offshore trajectory and current position at around 68.5 nautical miles off the Kerala coast, the report said. At the same time, the persistent smoke from certain sections of the ship, its history of internal flare-ups which require sustained firefighting pressure, the adverse weather conditions and the absence of a second towline were matters of concern, it said."Weather at the site remains adverse, with westerly winds between 29–34 knots, gusting up to 39 knots, intermittent heavy rainfall, and periods of zero visibility, all of which are significantly impeding firefighting and boarding operations," the DGS a second towline was crucial, given the dynamic sea state and the structural stresses already endured by the vessel, it added. Presently, the ship remains connected via a single towline to a tugboat -- Offshore Warrior,it DGS report further said that stability assessments of the vessel suggest it was operating within 90 per cent of acceptable seagoing conditions, but targeted hull strength evaluations, especially near high-heat zones, remain a also said that discussions are going on for a Port of Refuge, as a contingency, with Jebel Ali in Dubai under primary consideration, subject to complete fire suppression, structural integrity assessments, and regulatory permissions."Alternatives in Bahrain, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and Qatar are also under review," it report further said that identification of a body which reportedly washed ashore near the Kerala coast is currently under verification, with support from local authorities, as of the 22 crew members on board the vessel, 18 were rescued while four remain missing."Efforts remain focused on fire suppression, structural safety, and safe relocation of the vessel out of Indian waters under controlled tow," it InMust Watch
Pink Villa
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
BTS' J-Hope's parents 'overwhelmed' by son's Goyang concert as sister Jiwoo pokes fun at shirtless act, see family PICS
J-Hope recently concluded his HOPE ON THE STAGE world tour with three memorable encore stages at Seoul's Goyang Stadium from June 13 to 15. His parents and sister were his biggest cheerleaders present among the massive crowd of audience. The tight-knit Jung family once again displayed their enduring bond as his sister Jiwoo shared details of the proud parents' heartwarming reaction to their son's concert. J-Hope's family supported him during HOPE ON THE STAGE encore concerts J-Hope 's sister Jiwoo shared a series of Instagram posts and stories, to celebrate the successful run of her brother's first solo world tour. The proud sibling shared that on the last day of the HOPE ON THE STAGE FINAL concert, "seeing the overwhelmed expressions on mom and dad's faces throughout the concert" made her "deeply moved." She also shared a sweet family pic and one of their parents enjoying the show with lightsticks in hand. However, she kept their faces hidden, for privacy concerns. She called the BTS member "truly admirable and respectable" for his hardwork and dedication to making the concert spectacular. She further stated that they were his "safe space" and would root for him forever. Fans gushed over their family bonding and stated, "Hobi is always able to spread love & confidence towards every1" because "He has a strong support" from his loved ones. J-Hope and Jiwoo– sibling goals! Jiwoo shared a clip of J-Hope's Killin' It Girl performance, specifically the part where he flaunts his abs and showcases smooth, sultry moves. The captioned it as, "Even tho I was a bit embarrassed... that fiery shirtless moment!", showcasing peak sibling behaviour. She also wittily wrote, "Killin' it Man" and displayed a proud family member moment. Adding on to the fun, the artist reposted the story with a haha text. Fans found their antics absolutely "ADORABLE" and relatable. Despite J-Hope's celebrity status, his bonding with his family remained unchanged over years. Till date, he mentions them on-camera on every possible occasion. His parents and sibling's support in his journey and their pride in his success warm millions of hearts worldwide.
