One Day Only Special

Today I am ending my 5+ year ban on Oprah. At 3pm (I had to look it up - I had no idea when she was on) I will be tuning in.

This is a one time offer, good today only.

The ban began about 5-1/2 years ago when I came home from the hospital after having my last child. You know how the first week after childbirth goes: lots of laying around, sleeping, recuperating, sitting in solitary positions for long stretches of time. Hence, I was spent a lot of time reading or watching tv (there is not much else to be done while nursing a newborn who is taking her own sweet time.) I think I watched Oprah every day that week. In the course of this Oprah-fest, she had 3 different Hollywood actresses on her show. EVERY one of them belittled the importance of marriage - cheered on of course, by Oprah. Oh yes, I am naming names: Sharon Stone, Cameron Diaz, and Halle Berry. ("I will never marry again but will definitely have kids" one said. "How can I know who I will love in 5 years?" another said. "Traditional families are not as important these days.")

Here I was in my little family love cocoon, welcoming our latest edition, truly reveling in my greatest treasure on earth my family. Then to be watching this show which had the complete opposite agenda. It just didn't work for me.

First, my personal belief is that marriages and families are a gift from God. Families are his creation, not ours to diminish or change to suit our whims. Our greatest joys in life will come from the relationships we form within our family.

Second, I found it terribly irresponsible for these women with their millions of dollars and access to nannys and elite preschools to try to promote life as a single parent. Every statistic shows that children do better in a 2 parent home. And any single parent will tell you it is the hardest thing they have ever done.

Not that Oprah is evil. I think she is amazing in many ways and has done great, charitable things. But, it was time to part ways. I had better things to do with my time. So, I wrote her a letter explaining my thoughts. I thought she'd want to know.

I think it is abundantly clear the effect my boycott has had on Oprah's empire. (None.)

But today, Oprah is having Stephanie on her show from the Nie-Nie Dialogues. Stephanie, the blogger who wrote adorably about her family. Her joys of motherhood. Her sweet relationship with her husband. Then had the terrible accident, to come back only more dedicated to her role as mother and wife.

I think it is appropriate that I break my ban for Stephanie.

So, yeah, I am watching Oprah today. (But not tomorrow.)