The fetishization of motherhood when politically convenient bothers me. Is my experience as a mother something I bring to all of my work? Absolutely. Do I think it's valuable? Hell yes.

But Betsy Devos is a mother. Does "moms get it done" count for her? How about Ivanka Trump?

I'm not shady, so let me be clear: it 100% bothers me to watch my Representative use motherhood as a political shield while taking money from Raytheon, who profit off of bombing the children of other mothers in Yemen. What about those moms? Do they count?

It bothers me to see motherhood used as a political shield by someone who will not acknowledge the humanity of mothers suffering in Palestine. By someone who voted against impeachment THREE TIMES while fleeing mothers were being ripped away from their children at our border.

It bothers me on behalf of all of the amazing women I know who have bravely chose to build dope ass lives without having children. The decision of a woman to NOT have children has always been a bold one in our society, and this rhetoric is diminishing to their lived experience.

And what about folks out there who would love nothing more than to be mothers, but can't, and quietly carry that heartbreak? Imagine having motherhood lorded over you for political expedience in that scenario.

Yes, I love being a mom. It is my favorite job and I couldn't be more grateful for it. But I also believe I would be capable of building any of a number of kind of well lived lives, and so are other people. There are many good ways of living and of building family and community.

But don't pocket cash from bombs manufacturers blowing up kids abroad and banks profiting off of kids losing their homes at home and turn around and list motherhood as a key qualification. There are all kinds of mothers. Some bring that love and extend it out to ALL. Some don't.