I must have been one of the last people on the planet to hear about this ruckus — a profile of mothers together at the swing set, pushing the kids with glasses of wine in hand. As I read in Her Bad Mother, the story appeared on my old alma mater THE TODAY SHOW, where I worked for nine proud and happy years. I don’t know whether I’m more upset with the content of the story, the reaction or the fact that TODAY is, generally, so much less substantial than it was when I worked there. ADD THIS: I just read most of the back story to all this at the source: Melissa Summers’ Suburban Bliss. If even part of it is true (and I have no reason to doubt any of it) then it’s far more a scandal about television than it is about drinking and moms. PLEASE READ THIS. It also includes links to many comments on the matter.
As I said before I read Melissa’s very troubling post, "This story looked unbalanced to me – at least the video did, so I was glad to learn from Jenn Satterwhite’s Mommy Bloggers post that TODAY is planning a follow-up on Friday." In the mean time take a look at what Catherine (Her Bad Mother) and others (Google Blog Search turned up dozens of posts) have had to say about this. I want to watch the follow-up before I say anything. I lived around bad alcohol issues at one point in my life and am very sensitive to the issue so am remaining silent for now.
PLEASE COMMENT though if you have thoughts about this.
As of now, they bumped it to Wednesday. Let’s hope they don’t bump it entirely. Personally, I want to hear all sides. You know? Stefanie was portrayed in a way that could have set her off, too. I am eager to hear what she and what Meredith have to say about this issue and the backlash drama that was created in the aftermath. Did you read Stefanie’s account about this at http://www.babyonbored.blogspot.com/ ?
I’m super keen to see the follow-up. Did you see that Meredith Vieira addressed the issue on her mini-blog? Melissa has a link at her latest post.
I saw part of the show, and I was appalled. All I could think was that if this show were broadcast in Europe, even the most reserved and classy French mother would be rolling on the floor laughing. It’s a hackneyed observation, but if our Puritan nation could develop a healthier attitude toward alcohol consumption, we’d all be a lot better off. Alcohol is not milk from the devil’s teat, and there’s no reason we should teach our children that it is somehow evil. Instead, we should model responsible drinking. Say, a glass of wine at dinner. A single cocktail with friends. (The FDA portions one serving of alcohol to women per day as a healthy quantity.) For the TODAY SHOW to portray a group of weary mothers having a drink with friends in front of their infants (*infants*, by god!) as in any way irresponsible is ludicrous!
Ugh! The sexism and the infantile treatment of adult women just makes my skin crawl.
As it happens, I seldom drink now that I’m a mom, but it isn’t because I don’t think I can still be a good mom after a drink or even two (!), but because ***personally*** I feel too dehydrated and can only enjoy between 1/3 and half a drink these days.
I look forward to Momtini play dates when Noah is weaned.
Let me say that Melissa Summers was offered media coaching before the interview and declined it, which in hindsight was a very bad idea. Broadcast television is about selling the story, and when you work with bloggers who are simply that, bloggers, producers prey on their naivete and desire for the spotlight. Melissa Summers should’ve known better… watch some TV — it’s all about provocation and she was not smart if she thought they were going to treat her objectively. Please.