Smart Women + Bad Sources

​I work and live amongst many amazing women. They are educated and smart and opinionated and lovely. I know, I keep harping on ‘women power’, about building each other up but I honestly believe women are great and we need to back each other up!

Due to work, schedules, kids, life…it is a rare occasion that I have a night out with other like-minded women. When I do, topics always gravitate first to our children, but shortly thereafter, things usually get a bit more spicy—whether it be husband-speak, world happenings, current events or fielding opinions on what I liken to a circus of a political race going on here in the U.S.

Whatever the topic, my friends always have tremendous insights, are well-informed and have some unbelievably interesting points to add to just about everything we discuss. That being said, I find reason to pause because, at times, we’re making ourselves out to look very ‘surfacy’ or one dimensional—STOP IT! We aren’t. The one stumbling block, or maybe even cringe-worthy rhetoric that I hear daily is ‘I read this post on Facebook’ or the source is authored by ‘THEY’. AHHHHH—let me pull my hair out now!
 
I know--I’m not naive and I’m far from an academic snob to really make comment but please, ladies, let’s use more credible sources. Sure, I subscribe to almost every major media outlet on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and I often catch my sound bites or news clips there first but let’s give the credit where it’s due and let’s look savvy in the process.
 
In my experience, as mothers, we often lose our credibility (or at least I think I have at times) when we choose easy media over sourced, credible journalism. You lessen your story or your credentials when you lead with “I saw it on Facebook.” Why not dig a little deeper and find your original, or more credible, source. You read a story about Syrian refugees…then click through and find where it came from—The Times, Globe & Mail or CNN. Don’t bury the lead~!
 
I know we all want to be authentic and real about our parenting. No mother is leisurely flipping newspapers and sipping lattes while their children play contently at our feet. But, when it comes to leading with “I read it on Facebook’ let’s switch directions and get our facts straight. Let’s show that our mom-power is far reaching! That we can do it all …and read the Times!