Sister Suffragette!

Chim chiminey Chim chiminey Chim chim cher-ee… Help!! I have Mary Poppins songs in my head! Now I probably got them into your head too~ so sorry. You see, our family recently picked up an old VHS tape (yes we still have a VCR~ the tapes don’t get scratched like DVDs), but I am digressing. I’m telling you homeschool friend, we have watched that movie over 3 Million times already and we have only had it like one day~ or perhaps it just feels that way! I know, I am probably the one person alive who doesn’t like Mary Poppins. Don’t be upset with me. Why such heresy you say? I have some good reasons~ let me explain. After our family watches a new movie we like to talk about the values displayed in the film~ what great moral can we take away that will teach us how to live in a Godly way. You get the idea. And, since this month is Women History’s Month and all, I thought this was a perfect time to dissect Miss Mary and the gang (come on~ you have to admit Burt and his Chimney Sweeping Buddies do look like they are in a gang).

So let’s reflect on the morals and lessons for women encapsulated in this "Classic" movie. First a look at the men. The father in the story seems to live the idealized life. He comes home at the end of a day at the bank, pats his children on the head, greets his wife, and is King of his castle, all is well. There is just one problem, his kids are nowhere to be found! And, his wife, the original frazzled female (and I know them~ I am one!) is off trying to get the vote for women singing, "Sister Suffragette," to all who will listen. She sings and dances her women’s rights tune to the cook, the maid, and even the nanny who is TRYING to tell her that she quits because her children are a bunch of rascals who keep running away from her.

What are we to take away from this father who perceives his family to be one way, but is actually another? And, how do we as modern Homeschool Moms view a woman who quite frankly doesn't mind if her children are out dancing on roofs with strange chimney sweepers and being shot at by cannons? And what of Mary Poppins herself~ the kind, never cross, magical Nanny that takes charge of the children? The one who firmly get them to put there toys away in her "Spit Spot" fashion by adding a little fun to their daily chore list. She comes in, works her magic, and then leaves? Is she the role model our young ladies need?

What truly is the moral? Should we women care more about our own rights then our children’s welfare? Should we be free spirited women like Mary Poppins~ flying in and out of town at a whim? I propose perhaps a little bit of both would have me singing "supercalafragalistic!" Let’s face it~ what mom wouldn’t want the dreamy idealism of mother "Sister Suffragette" from the movie? And, seeing my children line up "spit spot" as we go on some homeschool adventure is actually quite appealing to me. As we reflect on women’s rights, accomplishments, and of course God’s plan for women as Keepers at Home perhaps the answer is to learn a little bit from all the women who have gone before~ good, bad, and flighty! Well, I am off to see Mary Poppins for the 3 millionth and 1 time. After all, we are homeschoolers, and perhaps.. I am starting to like it just a little. Look at those penguins go…Chim chiminey Chim chiminey Chimney Chim chim cher-ee...