Being a Mum's not so bad after all...
The Age reports:
Former Australian Democrats leader Senator Natasha Stott Despoja will quit politics in 2008, choosing to spend more time with her husband and 22-month old son.
Senator Stott Despoja, who in 1995 was the youngest woman to enter federal parliament and who led the Democrats from April 2001 until August 2002, described her decision today as "heart-aching" but inevitable.
"This is not about giving up work for family but giving my family priority at this particular stage of life," she said.
However, she did not rule out a return to politics at some point in the future.
The 37-year-old has had the past three weeks off work after emergency surgery for an ectopic pregnancy, but said the opportunity to spend uninterrupted time with her son Conrad had changed her priorities.
"It's been a heart-aching, difficult decision," she told journalists gathered in her Adelaide office.
"It's been the toughest decision for me politically without a doubt and the kindness of colleagues and friends and ... the community in the last few weeks has made this decision harder.
"Spending uninterrupted quality time with my son has made the decision inevitable."
Natasha, I know that it must be scary, but it's perfectly alright to admit that you enjoy being a mother - and that babies are good. You are a woman, and we have been praying for you. I'm glad that you have started to realise that the whole femo thing is really quite a bore.
- Anonymous | 8:27 AM GMT
Comments [2]
Dorothy Day, who like Senator Stott-Despoja came to realise the value of motherhood the hard way, writes:
"It would seem to the unthinking that mothers of children, whether of one or a dozen, are intensely preoccupied with creatures: their little ones, food, clothing, shelter, matters that are down to earth and grossly material such as dirty diapers, dishes, cooking, cramming baby mouths with food, etc. Womens bodies, heavy with children, dragged down by children, are a weight like a cross to be carried about. From morning until night they are preoccipied with cares but is care for others, for the duites God has given them. It is a road once set upon, from which there is no turning back. It is their way to glory and salvation."
Apologies for typo in third last sentence. It should read
"From morning until night they are preoccupied with cares but it is care for others, for the duties God has given them."
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