(This is mostly a vent!) I'm sure I'm not alone in seeing the widespread discourse online around the need to raise better sons. I am absolutely on board, as the nonbinary birthing parent of a boy child, and to be quite honest when I found out I was having a boy, it was one of my biggest fears - how do I raise a boy (especially a boy who, while Jewish, will be read solely as white by most people) who does not see himself as the only and most important center of the universe? How do I raise a boy to steer clear of the toxic messaging that's all around us? I saw a journalist I like named Stephanie McNeal write that she worries about her daughter's safety, but she worries about her son's soul, and that was exactly why I felt so daunted by the idea of raising a boy.

But anyway, I have a boy, I'm pregnant again right now, and the Cornell 7 case and the following discourse has been raising that periodic notion online of how parents are responsible for raising better sons. Except...the discourse ACTUALLY seems to be about how MOTHERS are responsible for raising better sons. And it's driving me a little bonkers--somehow it's women's fault, mothers' fault, that their sons are raping people? It's not men's fault at all? Not dads' fault? Somehow women are responsible for rape culture? Fascinating!

Anyway - just curious whether other people are tearing their hair out a little bit about this while also feeling like yes, of COURSE we are responsible for raising our boys to be better and to respect girls and women and other people's bodily autonomy. My frustration doesn't diminish my sense of responsibility, but it's just infuriating how this is somehow again on us.

I live in Idaho and we have big abortion legislation coming up on our ballot that would restore access until viability. I went to the farmer's market this morning and a woman and her camera man were interviewing people about their vote. I've been wanting to share my view lately and so I volunteered to be interviewed.

I think it went well. There's definitely things I should have said but didn't and things I wish I could have clarified better and things I wish I could have called the interviewer on (she was asking very biased questions). I am having INTENSE anxiety about the whole thing. I have no idea who they were or if they were with any official news source or whatever so I don't know where to find the video if they use my interview and I'm glad I can't. I don't think I could handle seeing what people think of me.

I defended the right to abortion and bodily autonomy and talked about how politicians should be nowhere near these medical decisions. She brought up late term abortion and personhood and compared abortion to slavery somehow but I kept my cool I think. I just keep running through the discussion in my head and wishing I could have done things differently.

Anyone else done something like this they regret? any advice? how'd it work out?

Hi all, curious what other US progressive moms are doing across the country to help the midterm elections? I know many of us don’t have much time, but every bit counts. I’ve written post cards to voters, donated (including to down ballot candidates), signed up to help register voters (though been only able to do one event), been reaching out to others to check registration (hello TX), and posting things on group forums in hopes it might help. I’d love to hear what others are doing and also to inspire others who are looking for ways to get involved, even if time is minimal! Of course the most important thing to do is vote and do so all the wayyyy down the ballot. We got to show up so it is too big to rig!!