Gov. Palin: Is Not Taking Maternity Leave a Conservative Value?

I'm intrigued by Senator McCain's choice of Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his runningmate. I, like most Americans outside of Alaska, had never heard of Governor Palin before the media hoopla began. I understand that McCain expects Gov. Palin's conservative background to boost his appeal to the base of the Republican party. She is a member of the NRA and she is pro-life.

When I read that her infant son, born just last spring, has Down syndrome, that caught my attention. I have three children with autism. We mothers of special needs kids share a tight bond. So I did a bit of Googling. Then I read an article from the Anchorage Daily News that said she did not plan to take maternity leave after his birth. What? With that, our bond loosened.

Now I'm thinking about what it takes to be Vice President of the United States. The days of clocking into the White House at 9am and toddling back home to the Admiral's House at the Naval Observatory at 5pm and attending funerals are long gone. Cheney has set the standard for a fully involved VP - regardless of what you think of him. So how does a mother of five children, especially one with special needs, accept the nomination for a job that will put her within a heartbeat of the Presidency and take yet take her away from the five heartbeats of her family for at least four years and still be considered conservative? If she were a Democratic nominee, wouldn't the religious right be attacking her already?

I believe in a woman's right to any career she desires. Yet as a mother of kids whose needs have taken precedence over my career for over a decade, I know the realities of special needs parenting. And I find myself asking a question that makes me feel like Donna Reed: Once you've chosen to have five children, and your infant has special needs, who needs you more, your family or your job? And if I can ask this touchy, old fashioned question, I wonder if conservatives will warm to a woman willing to make such a profound family sacrifice.

Read more reaction from HuffPost bloggers to John McCain's selection of Sarah Palin as his running mate

Comments

[Checquoline]

Forget her personal situation for a moment. If she had no children, would she be qualified for this office? I think not. She is probably the LEAST qualified person he could have chosen out of all the goveners of all the states.

[ESerafina42]

But... but... but... she's attractive, and perky, and wants SOMEONE TO TELL HER what the VP does before she can answer whether she's qualified or not. I guess McCain isn't the only one who doesn't know how to use the internets.

[kimhoulian]

Even doctors here in alaska cannot understand this along with trying to understand how she would fly from Texas back to Alaska when she was in labor. I have voted republican all my life but this year absolutely not and Sarah Palin is my governor. Many here are questioning her fitness for the current office she holds as governor. I think American really need to demand the facts about our goveror because as a country many are about to be blind sided with thi vote.

[oliviasmommi]

Oh...and I read she returned to work 3 DAYS after the birth......

[tablesedge]

My first reaction was "this is an insult to all voters, male & female, especially to Hillary Clinton; my second was, who will care for the 4 children still at home in Juneau Alaska, one an infant, special needs or not, an infant, while Mom is traipsing all over the lower 48 campaigning? Such a selfish decision; are these family values?

[mamatothree]

Actually, if you had done more research you would have learned that Palin's plan was to bring the baby to work WITH her instead of maternity leave.

"Palin said she was sad at first [after finding out their baby had down syndrome] but they now feel blessed that God chose them. The couple has lots of family support, she said.

The governor said she won’t take a maternity leave but will bring Trig with her to work. Her spokesperson later clarified, at Palin’s request, that the governor will take time off for medical appointments, physical therapy and whatever Trig needs.

Governor Palin and her husband released the following statement shortly after Trig was born:

Trig is beautiful and already adored by us. We knew through early testing he would face special challenges, and we feel privileged that God would entrust us with this gift and allow us unspeakable joy as he entered our lives. We have faith that every baby is created for good purpose and has potential to make this world a better place. We are truly blessed."

[FatherWolf]

I know how much work it is caring for a non-special-needs baby. I have no idea what' it's like with a special-needs baby. But I do know that her baby starts crying in the middle of a staff meeting or negotiations with legislators, it's going to be mighty annoying for everybody. Including the baby.

[AnnieinOR]

I was thinking the same thing. Normally, a downs baby has other problems when that young... I find it curious that at four months, she is already out and ready to take on this "job".

[syryn22]

I am a woman that had four pregnancies, and only two children alive. I cannot fathom missing the first few months away from my babies. There is no ambition in the world that I have that would take me away from my baby. Nothing. You do not get that precious time back and your baby did not ask to be born to have to be without the love and nurturing care of their mother on a regular basis. Some of her actions give me great pause. My intuition tells me that something is a little amiss with this woman.
I know that my strong liberal views make it hard for me to swallow a woman with strong conservative values. Some of my closest friends are gun toting, republican women, but we can all relate about the special bonds with their infants.
It was like McCain thought we would be impressed with this VP pick. I want to ask them so badly, how would you feel if your child was killed by a bullet. It happens every day in our urban cities, yet, you see her behind on the television with that gun, just as proud as she can be. How would they feel if their child died at the hands of a suicide bomber in Iraq? Both Palin and McCain are out of touch with the basic needs of their constituents. Anyone who votes for them and is considered middle class and below, needs to have their heads examined.

[Kim Stagliano - Huffpost Blogger]

Syryn22: Couldn't let your first sentence pass without notice. I'm sorry you lost two children. You bring a unique perspective to the how much work is too much work question, as I'm sure you'd trade pretty much everything to have your children back.

Best,

Kim

[kickingass08]

She didn't take a maternity leave because the baby is her teen daughter's...her pregnancy was a complete cover up from what I hear...

[trubluelefty]

and that's okay but you don't get to lie about it if it is true and have people such as Hannity equate you with a saint for not having had an abortion. What are the chances of a teen giving birth to a down's syndrome child? Not much less than a 44 year old woman being pregnant. Where is a picture of that?

[Kim Stagliano - Huffpost Blogger]

I'm seeing that rumor all over the internet too. It's an old trick, I'll say that. In fact, it's in the story line of Mad Men right now. A young adult had a baby and her sister is bedgrudgingly raising it as her own. Sometimes it's the Mom who raises her own grandchild. Or a fine nanny.... And considering the trick Edwards played on all of us - that affair shocked me and really disappointed me. I know, how naive is that? LOL! Anything is possible when power and position are involved.

Stay tuned....

Kim

[CircleofHealth]

The reasons that there are rumors that the child is her teenage daughter's are that: 1. Her daughter was out of school for 4-5 months during the same time period, supposedly with mono 2. Although Trig was said to be born one month premature, he weighed over six pounds and did not appear to be preemie, 3. According to close associates, Palin did not look pregnant 4. When her water broke one month early in Texas, instead of heading to the nearest hospital, she elected to delay several hours to give a speech, then took an eight hour commercial flight back to Alaska, running the risk (since labor for later births tends to be shorter) of giving birth to a premature known Down's syndrome child on a commercial airplane-- a life endangering, uncomfortable, and highly exhibitionistic act for a public figure. 5. Then bypassing the major hospital where all those with higher risks go to deliver, she drove an additional 45 minutes to a small rural community hospital.

Although all of this remains to be verified, this is why some people wonder whether Palin faked the pregnancy out of shame over her daugher's teen pregnancy. It's actually exceedingly common for this sort of thing to happen. If it's true that she faked the pregnancy, it makes her a liar. If on the other hand, she was carrying the baby, she took an incredible risk and showed poor judgement.

[bzythnkn]

I'm a stay at home mom of 4 kids under 7 years old. I'm a Democrat, and was a Hillary supporter- now for Obama. About Palin: I respect her. However, my first response this morning was "this woman makes me feel like a loser!" I don't know if she really is some mutant supermom, or if she gets 50 hours in a day up there in Alaska, but I know how busy and preoccupied my four kids keep me. I can barely find time to read this newsite and post one comment. And now, we as mothers, are to believe that this "hockey mom" can mother a 4 month old and be VP, not to mention 4 other kids (at least one other child seems like 5 years old). I'm sorry, this feels insulting to me. She can't have it both ways. Be honest that she will have to sacrifice her family, her children. I firmly believe that a woman can and should do anything she sets her mind to. However, moms are not benefitted by phony representations of hands-on mothers who can also take on running for VP on the side. She claims to juggle her blackberry and breastpump? Are you kidding me! Nursing is a full time job in its' own right. This kind of fairy tale supermom sets moms back! A more reasonable, honest example is that of Hillary, in her 60's, with her GROWN daughter out on the campaign trail with her!

[FiLoLi]

Interesting. I am a stay-at-home mom of 4 kids also. When I heard Palin was the VP choice and I heard her story, I felt empowered. It is a choice we have to make, whether to be insulted by those who have achieved what we wish we could have done for ourselves or to be encouraged, because someone has demonstrated that it can be done. I choose to be encouraged. Gov. Palin is a wonderful role model for all women, democrats, republicans, or anything else.

[bdul26]

I firmly believe that women can do anything they want to. But when you become a mother, your wants get mediated by the needs of the children that you brought into this world. I am interested how Palin will balance her family's needs with her desire to be VP.

In full disclosure, I am the mother to four daughters, one with severe autism, and I have no idea how she could be VP of this country and a halfway decent mother.

[bzythnkn]

Actually, I plan to achieve a whole bunch, thank you very much...after all my kids are in kindergarten. Luckily, I'll only be in my late 30's by the time all my kiddos are in school full-time. When that happens, it's back to school for me to pursue my combo PhD/JD degrees. I agree that every person has to make their own choices dependant on ALL the factors involved, and all the cards they've been dealt. I'm all for women making whatever choices they'd like to make, even if that includes sacrificing significant time with their kids. Just be honest about it. Don't try to play it off like they are "hockey moms" driving their kids to games, while holding down a demanding job. Are we to believe that Palin will be even remotely involved in raising her infant son during the next 2 months of campaigning? Or the next 4 years of his life in they win the WH?

[write-thing]

I am relieved to find this blog and read comments from other women feeling the same way I do - insulted. Although I respect the right for women to make their own choices regarding mothering and work I do not have to the respect the choices they make. Sarah Palin is not a role model for me and I believe that casting her in this light on a national stage is dangerous.
The right to maternity leave is an important topic for millions of women across the country. I believe that Palin's refusal of her maternity leave is irresponsible both as a mother and as a woman in politcs. http://www.adn.com/news/alaska/story/382560.html
I am a working mother with two children and believe that creating a balanced life is the most difficult challenge I have faced. I agree with bzythnkn that if Palin wants to pursue this position, fine, but be honest about it and the sacrifices her and her children will have to make.

[SheenaVa]

This was one of my first thoughts also. I'm glad I found this thread. Yes woman with kids can go back to work when they want. Yes, women with special needs children can work too. But this job she's auditioning for isn't the office manager at a software company. The combination of the fact that the child is only 4 months old, special needs and 1 of 5 is just bizarre.

It's funny though to watch the cable and network pundits NOT bring up this issue. You know they're dying to. Although Campbell Brown looked like she was going to just bust when she kept asking " What was McCain's thought process in this?".

[chinationreport]

You ladies rock. I am a mother of two who provides bread and butter for the family. I felt exactly the same way!! No way she can do it. I am so angry that no media dares to talk about it because it would be labeled as sexism and it could backfire. I was compelled to write my own piece on my own website: Does Trig approve Sarah's choice?
http://www.chinationreport.com/SarahPalinBabyTrig.html

[vew]

This is a woman who has the money to hire a full time child care helper. That is the only way she could have gone back to work 3 days after having a baby. But I find it hard to understand how she could even be away from her baby so soon. Especially a baby with special needs. One of the hardest things I did was leave my babies when I had to return to work after maternity leave. And I was a full time working mother and career woman for over 30 years. So I am not impressed with Sarah Palin and her choices!

[kimmcr]

As a FT-working mother of a SN child, I don't see how she will both parent and "VP" effectively. I have a demanding career but fortunately have flexibility to take my son to therapy sometimes, to speak with therapists regularly, to take him to school almost daily and attend school events, to go to his many medical appointments. How is she even going to schedule that, let alone participate. The VP travels worldwide, & is working day and night for various duties. She cannot reschedule heads of state to go to OT and speech. Moreover, her husband works FT so how could he do it? There are many challenging and intellectually stimulating careers/jobs that she could pursue and still be a very hands on mom of a SN child, this just isn't one of them. There is nothing wrong with having paid help (I do too) but a SN child requires an enormous amount of care, love, and medical/therapeutic intervention -- and the participation of parents FULLY in that care. How can she do that as VP? I am a feminist and I believe women can do anything but one (man or woman) has to make choices and realistically recognize one's circumstances. She chose to have 5 children -- I am not criticizing her for those choices -- but I am critical of her decision to accept this nomination given her family circumstances. She has affirmatively chosen to sacrifice her family for personal gain and I cannot abide that.

[zanamu]

We should be more concerned about the policies Governor Palin promotes, particularly now that she has allied herself with a candidate who has an abysmal record on women's issues. And her positions on global warming, gun control, and choice are flat out wrong. And I would be surprised if she could even name the Pime Ministers of Great Britain and Russia, just for starters.
That said, she is entitled to her ambitions, EVEN THOUGH SHE IS A FEMALE PARENT. Even though she has a special needs child. It certainly appears she is the primary income earner in her family, and that is great, too. Parents, especially female parents - mothers, if you will - are still sentient beings with something to contribute, and it is no one's business how she CHOOSES to make it work. We have some appalling commentary on Huffington today; I certainly expect better of the women.

[jhw22]

This wouldn't be an issue if she were not chosen because she is a woman. If she had more policy stands that we knew about, we could discuss that. But we know so little about her and the magnifying glass is purposely set on her gender and as her being a mom. And judgement has been a major element to the whold '08 campaign. So her judgment is what we are discussing and in the only realm we really have to tackle.

Believe me, I WISH we had more to discuss about her. The fact that there isn't any documentation on her frightens me terribly.

Jennifer

[foe2Hg]

Wow. What an announcement this was. How do you take over the media after Obama did such a great and admirable speech last night? I guess this was their answer. Yes, I too have issues with a mother not taking a maternity leave and taking on the role of VP with a 5 month old with a disability as well as four other children.

There are many issues that will come up with this..but the one word for me is "bizarre".

Teresa

[BethanylovesObama]

Thank you for writing this post. My brother has severe and profound mental retardation. I respected Palin when she first gave birth and said she saw 'nothing but perfection.' However, learning that she didn't take maternity leave, troubled me. Now, watching her accept the VP nomination, I cringe. I know how hard it's been for my parents to raise my brother. I know how hard it is to be the sibling of a special needs individual. I am appalled that she did not put her infant child ahead of her own political ambition. I think she has no idea how difficult it will be to raise her child.

[wktb]

I am really surprised at all the flack she is getting because she is a mom. Obama has two kids--nobody has a problem with that. When did it become a bad thing for a mom to work? I have two special needs kids and do not work. But if someone chooses to do so, that is there choice. And she would be in a position to help special needs kids and their families on a large scale. How long have we heard that mom's would make better leaders? How many people who are trashing her are working parents themselves?

[jhw22]

I'll clarify for myself, alone, that it's not that she is a mother. The concern is that she has a newborn with special needs. A newborn requires so much from its mom. A special needs newborn requires that much more, as you know. And the job she's applying for isn't just any high-demand job. This is the second highest demanding job in our country.

I believe a mom will make a good President. But I just can't grasp how she can give 100% to both. And we will need a President (if that happens) who can give 100%. I also feel a baby needs 100%. Obama's kids are older and they don't have needs that Barack and Michelle need to give extra time for.

I admire you for staying home with your two special-needs kids. I think THAT is a choice that says a lot about your values. I don't think a woman has to work outside the home to be a leader. I don't think a woman needs to take on the VPresidency with a young baby at home to be a leader, either.

Jennifer

[wktb]

I definitely see your point. And agree that it would terribly hard. I do not know how I will vote in the election. I just feel like maybe-and I haven't done a bunch of research on her-she will be able to help families like mine be better off. If someone has an issue with her voting record or other stances than I think it's valid. But to read many of these posts that don't feel like a mom, especailly one with a special needs kid, should be in the White House was sad. I don't know what her plans for taking care of her child would be, none of us do. But I want to see more about what she stands for and believes in before making a choice. It seems like many here-not saying you-refuse to delve any deeper. I think different people make different choices and we need to have an idea of what a politicians choices will be in office. If we voted strictlyu on how they handled their relationships with family I think we wouldn't have many choices :) I just think people should be informed on someone before ripping them apart. I know I still have a lot of rsearch to do!

[2kids]

Working parents are a far cry from Vice President of the United States.

[wktb]

She can change current policy that is terrible for families of special needs kids. I know parents who travel all the time for their jobs and they have young kids. So why judge her differently? She has a different perspective that may actually bring some change about--and isn't that what everyone is yelling for? When did we start picking and choosing what jobs are fine and how much travel is okay for moms? I don't work. I am home with my kids but that is my choice. I think it's funny how so many people here are for the right to abort their child but not for a mom to have a high power job. (Just a little messed up.)

[leticia32]

Mom's may make better leaders, but not mom's with small children. Doesn't she want to be with that baby? That is my question. Sure she can afford nannies, but, I would think she would choose to be with her new baby as much as possible. Maybe in Alaska, 47th in population, she can bring the baby to work with her. As a VP candidate that will not be a possibility.

[Whycee54]

Nobody is trashing this woman for being a working mom. HOWEVER, a woman with five children, the youngest that has Downs Syndrome is a FULLTIME job all by itself. Ask yourself, do you really want the leader of the free world to choose between presidential obligations and family obligations? Its not the same with Obama. Obama doesnt have FIVE children and he isn't the main caregiver. Palin is making a poor choice as a mom. God forbid the poor choices she would make as a commander and chief. If her children were older, it would be better but they are not...