Several days ago I noticed, amongst the updates scrolling past in my facebook feed, an image of a confident woman in coveralls casually balancing a safety helmet on her hip. I was intrigued. What modern day Rosy the Riveter was this? On closer inspection I noticed the image was posted by Shell Oil on their sponsored facebook page, linked to a PR-driven article from an online magazine about mothers in the oil industry.
“Moms are an impressive lot. Whether juggling a dirty diaper in one hand and a latte in the other or helping to solve the world’s energy crisis, mothers are uniquely qualified to make a mark on the world around them. Case in point: The Athabasca Oil Sands Project in Alberta, Canada.” Read more...
Carly Stasko reflects on teaching values of civic engagement and self-expression to her young toddler by writing her own nursery rhyme about the world wide Pussy Riot Protests.
Recently on my lunch break I snuck into the bathroom and donned a mask and bright coloured dress so I could attend the Free Pussy Riot Demonstration outside of the Russian Consulate. I was inspired to go because these women courageously staged a stunt using art and music to challenge Putin’s regime. For their creative act of critical thinking they have been arrested as hooligans. I’ve been following the story of their trial and when I saw the global response I wanted to stand up in solidarity with these pussy punks, women and mothers.
Carly Stasko investigates the quandaries of new parents
Being a new parent can be an exercise in awkwardness that starts in pregnancy (and in some instances conception), is punctuated by labor, and becomes gradually entrenched over the years as you endure spit-up stains and public tantrums until eventually the socially awkward parent has a socially awkward teenager, and the journey of life goes full circle. While I’m still at the beginning of this journey I hope to reflect on overcoming Socially Awkward Parent Disorder (SAPD). In fact, I hope that with a little help we can all wear our awkwardness with pride. If you have never suffered from SAPD then good for you – either, you really have your shit together, you are very good at denial, or perhaps you have just managed to accept the awkward moments of parenthood with a certain amount of self-acceptance and grace. Read more...
Carly Stasko investigates the quandaries of new parents… and raps on playgrounds
I first came up with this “Mom Rap” during a 4am sleep-deprived freestyle session I performed for my husband and newborn son when none of us were getting any sleep. I have since performed it for friends, family and strangers every chance I get. It breaks the ice and tells a story. I think that parenting is equal parts comedy and confidence.
We can’t take ourselves too seriously, but at the same time it’s important to recognize how brave and bad-ass parenting can be.
Here it is, the Mom Rap:
Carly Stasko is a self-titled Imagitator, one who agitates imagination. She is also an artist/writer/producer/public speaker/cancer survivor/new mom living in Toronto. For more Carly Stasko, check out her radio stories on CBC’s Definitely Not the Opera and her blog, Imagitate the State. Read more...
Carly Stasko investigates the quandaries of new parents
FROM ROUTINES TO RITUALS:
Having a consistent and fun bedtime ritual for your baby keeps everyone happy. It gives your little one important cues to help them transition from a busy day to a restful night. It’s a chance to wind down, to reconnect, to imagine, and take comfort in a predictable routine.
Mere months ago, my husband and I both fancied ourselves to be wild spirits free from the restraints of what we saw as oppressive routines. Being predictable seemed like a fate to avoid at all cost, dare we risk being sentenced to a life of boredom.
Since we’ve become parents an interesting shift has occurred. With the birth of our son we’ve enjoyed the introduction of an additional wild spirit into our lives and our days are filled with chaos, hilarity, relentless learning, play, poop and crazy, crazy love. As we surrender to the improv-act-that-is-parenthood we have found that a bit of routine can be a very welcome sanctuary. Read more...
Carly Stasko investigates the quandaries of new parents
Cruising on Facebook for some M.I.L.F action is not what I thought I’d be doing in the first few weeks of motherhood. By “M.I.L.F” of course I mean a “Mom I’d Like to Friend” and by “action” I simply mean the very important act of sharing and supporting each other in the crazy journey of new motherhood.
When I saw pictures of Tricia, a friend-of-a-friend, and her newborn baby on my newsfeed I wrote her a short note suggesting we meet up. I’d already been set up on a few blind dates with other moms and I knew that forging some friendships with local parents was going to take a little social courage and effort on my part. Things clicked with Tricia and she later invited me to join a weekly moms-potluck that was starting up in the neighborhood. Over this past year those weekly meet-ups have been such an important and fun outlet. Read more...
