MamaBlogger365 - Happy Birthday by Shira Adler, Diva Mama

Happy Birthday my sweet, smart, handsome son. Exactly nine years ago I gave birth to you and the experience gave new definition to the word miracle.

The day your child is born is the day that will change your life forever. And no matter how many children you have, any mother will tell you, each one is a gift from God. You feel the earth move under your feet as you gaze upon their smushed up face, hear their first cry, marvel at the tiny little fingers in the palm of your hand and feel them nuzzle and inch their way on your body looking for food and warmth.

I gave birth for the first time eleven years ago to my beautiful daughter and if that wasnʼt life changing enough, two years and ten days later - on January 29, 2003 - I did it again.

But the second time around pregnancy/birth was very different. One would think having been through pregnancy and labor once, Iʼd be more prepared and calmer. But my nerves were at a fevered pitch because my life, and that of my unborn son, were hanging in the balance. Five months in, I was branded a high-risk pregnancy. No one was sure Iʼd actually survive - and in fact, I almost didnʼt.

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BIO: By day Shira Adler is a cantor, spiritual vocalist, certified pastlife regressionist, voice-over artist, producer, performer, writer/blogger and mompreneur and by night... well, she is actually the same person at night though she does admit to wearing fuzzy socks when no one can see her and hiding a secret stash of Mallomars somewhere near her writing desk for those late night pick-me-ups. In, around, and between her various work activities, she is raising two beyond-the-spectrum children as a single mom (though lovingly gives a shout out to her best friend, editor and soulmate whom she considers the bees knees). Is it any wonder her website’s tag line is One Voice Many Paths? Seriously, look up the definition of a multi-tasking Mama and you will find her picture there. But when it comes to living a life of connection, faith and consciousness Shira is the gal to call -- or if you’re fresh out of Mallomars -- she’s always happy to give you one. For more information visit: ShiraAdler.com, read her blog at Diva-Mama.com; Social: Twitter (1DivaMama), Facebook (DivaMama1), Tumblr (not really sure, but the name is cute) and LinkedIn (because doesn’t everyone?).

The Museum Of Motherhood is the first and only facility of its kind, celebrating the “her”story of mothers around the world. We need your help -- please make your tax-deductible contribution today!Visit the Museum of Motherhood, NOW OPEN in NYC - Tues.-Sun., 10:45-6:30.

Photo credit: Mother And Baby by Anna Cervova

MamaBlogger365 - Are Two Heads Better Than One? by Shira Adler, Diva Mama

Nothing stresses out a mother more than the holidays. Why?

Because our true primary selves, our working, creative, entrepreneurial “let’s-get-it-done-head” collides head on (sorry) with our “Mommy-she-touched-me-are-we-there-yet-I’m-bored-am-I-going-to-be-possessed-like-the-demon-on-the-new-The-Devil-Inside-trailer” head.

Living the dual existence of visionary mompreneur and stay-at-home mom is almost like having one pet who is both dog and cat, mongoose and cobra, spider and fly. I’d like to say it’s less filling and tastes great, but that may be an exaggeration.

Home for the holidays, at least these days, is the kind of statement that brings sheer terror, night sweats, and more than an extra pound to us moms who know better than to believe that time off during the holidays is anything but, for us.

The point of all this is not to lament how crazy it is to shop, wrap, cook, or in my case order in, Olympic-style, meals as often as humanly possible, but to gain, at least a little bit, some perspective.

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Bio: By day Shira Adler is a cantor, spiritual vocalist, certified pastlife regressionist, voice-over artist, producer, performer, writer/blogger and mompreneur and by night... well, she is actually the same person at night though she does admit to wearing fuzzy socks when no one can see her and hiding a secret stash of Mallomars somewhere near her writing desk for those late night pick-me-ups. In, around, and between her various work activities, she is raising two beyond-the-spectrum children as a single mom (though lovingly gives a shout out to her best friend, editor and soulmate whom she considers the bees knees). Is it any wonder her website’s tag line is One Voice Many Paths? Seriously, look up the definition of a multi-tasking Mama and you will find her picture there. But when it comes to living a life of connection, faith and consciousness Shira is the gal to call -- or if you’re fresh out of Mallomars -- she’s always happy to give you one. For more information visit: ShiraAdler.com, read her blog at Diva-Mama.com; Social: Twitter (1DivaMama), Facebook (DivaMama1), Tumblr (not really sure, but the name is cute) and LinkedIn (because doesn’t everyone?).

Our Year-End Giving Campaign is going on NOW! The Museum Of Motherhood is the first and only facility of its kind, celebrating the “her”story of mothers around the world. We need your help -- please make your tax-deductible contribution today!

Visit the Museum of Motherhood
NOW OPEN in NYC - Tues.-Sun., 10:45-6:30

MamaBlogger365 - From Guatemala to Yale; a Busy Week at M.O.M. by Joy Rose

One of the most amazing weeks I’ve had so far at the museum. Monday was a Multicultural Motherhood Conference and I met so many caring and daring people: Afia, Aid For Aids, The BLK ProjeK, Jewish Heart For Africa, Clare Misquitta, Dr. Phyllis Chesler reading from her book Mothers On Trial to name a few. Thank you Marty at Food Emporium (upper East Side) for donating lunch. We talked about a $5.00 kit with simple items like a piece of plastic, a clean razor blade and a small bottle of Purel, that can save a woman and child’s life in Guatemala and Liberia.

Saving Mothers sends birth instructors, volunteers and kits do deal with the fact that 80% of Guatemalan women give birth without medical assistance or access to sterile equipment. Their next trip is early January. We’ll be putting 100 kits together at M.O.M., if you’d like to join us, or if you know a hospital that can donate up to 25 newborn swaddling blankets. Dates are TBD, call to find out more: 212.452.9816

Speaking of Liberia, how about those Nobel prize winners, the ladies three! I also spoke with Sonya Ossorio, about hosting upcoming NOW-NYC events here at the museum. It would be a real thrill for me to host the Susan B. Anthony Awards, since I was privileged to be honored in 2009.

On Thursday, thirty mothers and toddlers descended on the museum for a giant playdate. It was chaotic and fun. Sara Raff, early childhood education expert was on hand to give advice and share stories from multiple perspectives. Elizabeth Mangum-Sarach from BirthFocus offered up Doula services information as well this week during our ‘Meet The Expert’ series.

Thanks to Working Mother Magazine and Helen Jonsen for sharing a big box of mother books on everything from ‘how to’ to creativity and motherhood. We’ll be putting those up in our Andrea O’Reilly Library this week. The library is growing. If you’d like to help see this permanent library stocked with everything mother, available as a free resource to all, please consider a year-end donation at M.O.M.

Saturday, Marcia C. Inhorn, professor of Anthropology and International Affairs at Yale, brought her freshman class all the way down from New Haven to the museum. We toured, tried on the Infant Simulator vests by Realityworks, spent time engaged in meaningful dialogue in the Suffragette Sitting Room, and enjoyed the new foyer gallery installation by Amelia Gewirtz, who also sings with the band Parents With Angst.

Fran Capo, America’s Fastest Talking Mom (Guinness Book Of World Records) popped in, as did Paula Caplan, scholar and feminist writer, as well as, Jess Dobson who wanted to talk about the feasibility of bringing her Lactation Station here in the fall.

Whew, well I’ve got work to do with the holiday fundraisers for the museum fast approaching and homework left to do for my ‘Motherhood In The Mix’ class at Minnesota State University.

Looking forward to sharing more soon,

Joy Rose, Founding Director Museum Of Motherhood, President MAMAPALOOZA!



Support MamaBlogger365 and help the Museum of Motherhood secure a permanent home in 2011! Our end-of-year giving campaign is going on NOW! - visit our Members page to learn more.




Visit the Museum of Motherhood
NOW OPEN in NYC - Tues.-Sun., 10:45-6:30

MamaBlogger365 - Meet Our M.O.M.!

The Museum of Motherhood's fall pop-up museum is now open in NYC! Have you heard about all the great things we're doing?

In addition to our powerful exhibits and weekly schedule of events that include yoga demos and classes, Mommy & Me groups and social media Friday, we're hosting theatre performances, lectures and book signings, day-conferences and more! Visit MOMmuseum.org for more information or call 212.452.9816 to register! Here are just a few of the exciting events and programs we have coming up:

THANK YOU Dr. PHYLLIS CHESLER for your MOM Takes Manhattan Article at Pajamas Media!

Thursday, October 13 - Saturday, October 15
"Sex in Mommyville", a play by Anna Fishbeyn that's described as "a lusty, unbridled Russian Jewish updating of Henrik Ibsen's 'A Doll's House..." by Jewish Week

Tuesday, October 18
Readings by Christen Clifford, solo performer of "BabyLove"

Wednesday, October 19
Laura Tropp presents a lifestyle and education lecture

Thursday, October 20
Stacey Battat and the Museum of Motherhood will host the official book launch and signing for Thin Threads of Moms and Grandmas, compiled by Stacey Battat and Joy Rose, founder of M.O.M., 11 a.m. at the Museum.

That afternoon, we'll be joined by Dr. Joyce Saltman, Laughter Guru, and Stacey Battat to connect our stories and celebrate motherhood, 1:00 - 2:30 p.m.

Saturday, October 22
"She's History", a performance by Amy Simon

Tuesday, October 25
Meet and Greet networking event with the local Chamber of Commerce

Friday, October 28
Aqua Cherry's special Halloween concert at the Museum of Motherhood

Monday, November 7
Mindful Mothering: Practical Tools for Staying Awake and Aware During the Biggest Adventure of All -- a day-long conference at the Museum with guests:

• Cassandra Vieten, PhD, psychologist, Director of Research, Institute of Noetic Sciences and author of Mindful Motherhood: Practical Tools for Staying Sane During Pregnancy and Your Child’s First Year

• Lu Hanessian, journalist, former NBC anchor and Discovery Health Channel host, founder of Parent2ParentU and WYSH, and author of Let the Baby Drive: Navigating the Road of New Motherhood

• Jeanne Ohm, DC, publisher and editor of Pathways to Family Wellness, and executive director of the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association

• Lisa Reagan, Co-founder, Families for Conscious Living and Executive Director, Kindred Community

• Elizabeth Mangum‐Sarach, LCSW, Doula, and Director of BirthFocus, LLC

• Jessica Zucker, PhD, psychologist & parenting expert, author, and contributor to PBS’s This Emotional Life

• Joy Rose, Executive Director, Motherhood Foundation, founder, Museum of Motherhood

Join us for a day of lectures, discussion, small group talks and experiential mindfulness practices that you can take home and use every day to focus on being aware in the present moment, in our bodies and connected with our children, even when the going gets tough.

Like what you see? Spread the word! Tell your friends! Meet us at the Museum of Motherhood and we'll make "herstory"!


Support MamaBlogger365 and help the Museum of Motherhood secure a permanent home in 2011! Your tax-deductible donation in ANY amount will help us make our September POP-UP exhibit in NYC a permanent reality - visit our Members page to learn more.

Visit the Museum of Motherhood

NOW OPEN in NYC - Tues-Sun, 10:45 am - 6:30 pm

MamaBlogger365: Stars Are People, Too by Shira Adler, Diva Mama

...For now, let’s talk about movie stars. I began Oscar night by doing what most women do -- collapsing on the couch and oohing over the stars as they paraded down the red carpet in their designer duds and borrowed bling.

As pre-show played before my tired eyes, I noticed something impossible to ignore... something remarkable. For the first time, the Academy Awards seemed to have a subtle undercurrent of a not-often-found “Hollywood” theme. Was it me or was this a newer, kinder, gentler, more in-touch program?

Now I’m not talking about fashion or acting, I’m talking about the greatest four letter word ever -- LOVE -- and not just the love of screaming fans who lined the red carpet to see their favorites, but the far more real LOVE that one would expect to see between husband and wife, mother and child. read more