Do you feel like you need a little pat on the back every now and again for all the mom heroics you perform day in and day out? How about a full on parade?! Or at least something involving party hats... Well, Mama Merit Badges saw the need for some mama accolades and designed a whole line of badges you can award yourself, your friends, sister-in-laws or your own sweet mom. In the spirit of girl scout badges, these clever patches give credit where credit is due!
In their own words, "Mama Merit Badges was started as a response to the dearth of authentic
recognition for the very hard work of mothering. Overly
sentimentalized depictions of motherhood belie the actual daily
duties that alternately feel like drudgery, brave political acts, and
absurd performance art. This irreverent award system invites public
dialogue about and visual recognition for the unpaid and often ignored labor
that is parenting."
You can purchase them one at a time or get the whole bundle. How perfect would these be at your next baby or bridal shower? I can totally see these going home in gift bags. Or how about popping some in the mail to a friend you know could use a laugh and a little appreciation? Or better yet, fashion yourself a sash and proudly march these babies around while performing your own daily acts of maternal heroism!
Let me just share a few of the awards:
Diaper: Everyone has an episode of diapering significance! Have you experienced
poop paintings on the wall, poop dripping from the Bjorn in the grocery
store, poop in the tub, poop up the back and into your baby's hair?
Have you ever performed gymnastics trying to keep other siblings from
getting into poop? Has your baby ever peed into your mouth? Explosive
poops, indecent exposure,or cloth diapering; this badge tells your
story.
Shopping: This is for the first time you take your newborn to the grocery store
and strangers come up and touch his face during flu season and you
maintain control. Also, for when you stroll through Target nursing a
fussy baby while pushing a cart full of those great end-cap deals while
trying to mentally organize each upcoming birthday party you will
attend or throw for the upcoming year. Have you ever taken a couple of
toddlers to pick up plywood, balloons or a load of mulch? How about
doing your monthly grocery shopping at super Wal-Mart with 3 in tow? If
you have spent money with babies hanging off you, climbing in and out
of the cart or running away from you because they had to have "real
high heels NOW," then you may don this badge with pride.
Breastfeeding: This badge is to commemorate the nursing relationship, whether for a
week or for years. Have you tandem nursed, nursed while pregnant or
nursed twins? Breastfeeding is hard work and not as natural as it
seems. If you produce milk for another human, you get this badge (and
so much more). If you NIP you get a special nod of admiration.
Leave a comment to be entered to win the entire set of eleven badges! You can gain SIX additional entries in the following ways, but remember to leave an ADDITIONAL COMMENT FOR EACH ENTRY. 1) add PP to your blog roll (1st timers only) 2) become a fan on facebook (1st timers only) 3) become a friend (1st timers) 4) add a button (1st timers) 5) mention the giveaway on your blog. Good luck!
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Congratulations Chelsey, who said, "I would love to give my mom these. They are so cute and creative."
