Momcafe

If I ruled the world…
It would be quite a mess! There would be toys scattered on the floor, laundry hung to dry for days and dishes piled high. Although it wouldn’t be as big a disaster as the one we live in. I’d start the clean up by putting an end to the tar sands, stopping the wars in Sudan and Iraq, eliminating nuclear and all small arms, dismantling conglomerates with too much power such as Royal Dutch Shell and Haliburton, banning GMO crops and petroleum products sold as ‘food’, halting mining and gas exploration in environmentally sensitive areas, and ousting a number of corrupt and negative leaders. The next day we’d start developing solutions that would include plans for global access to renewable energy, support for small-scale farming, a more equitable distribution of land and resources, restorative justice programs, and universal access to health care.

I’d address the public with a half written speech read with a baby on my hip and milk stains on my chest. My mushy, sleep deprived, breastfeeding brain would stumble on words such as “social equity”, “environmental sustainability” and “peaceful future”.

It would become obvious to everyone early on that it was really my daughter that ruled me. She can command my attention, get me on the floor making goofy sounds to hear her laugh, and call for my breast at all hours.

We would rule as soft dictators. Sometimes coming out with a hardline “NO”. Some things are just not okay. At times we’d force folks to rally behind us as we moved forward trying to get everything done on our to-do list for the day.

Mostly we would smile and listen and try to bring out the best in everyone. We’d teach everyone how to be gentle with one another. We’d all learn and re-learn the difficult lesson of sharing. We’d kiss owies better. We’d stop and take deep breaths when we were angry or frustrated. We’d fill the world with song.

Everyone would have a two-hour nap every day which would not only make people more pleasant, but do wonders to decrease energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

Most towns or cities would be left to create their own sense of community and well-being. While diversity would be respected and celebrated, there would be more villages raising children together. All decisions would take into account the future for these children and generations beyond.

At the end of each day, stories would be read or told and sweet dreams would fill the air. And like it or not, there would still be laundry to fold, dishes to do and toys to put away…

While I’m glad there isn’t just one person who rules the world, there is definitely one who rules mine. I’ll not only do whatever it takes to nurture her, but will work to make the world a better place. There is hope for the future.

When not on maternity leave with her daughter Lucia, Nikki Skuce works for the environmental organization One Sky in Smithers, BC.