There has been so much fuss surrounding Nadya Suleman, also referred to as Octo-Mom, that after the initial shock that undergoing invitro fertilization means the possibility of not just a baby but a whole litter!, what really astonishes me is that women still don't show up for other women. Wasn't taking down Sarah Palin and dissecting Hilary Clinton enough to be ashamed of? Now our attention has been turned to slinging shots at Nadya Suleman. Women have complained bitterly for years at the inequality of men and women. We've fought for our rights in a male-dominated society, bashed against the doors on the Old Boys Club, strived for respect in the boadrooms, and in our railing against 'those guys' did it not occur to anyone that 'those guys' were us too? How many of us ever step back far enough to see just how badly we treat other women? We can't even get consensus amongst our our kind and we wonder why we struggle through our days feeling isolated, overwhelmed and unsupported. What makes us so quick to claw at another woman? Is it for fear that she might be seen as the representative for all women? Is it that her circumstances or choices add to the confusion of who we are individually and collectively? I'd love to hear what you think, from your gut reactions, to your genuine thoughts that rise to the surface once your emotions have settled. Personally I believe our solutions and maybe our salvation are simpler than we realize. What if we showed up for the women around us? What if we supported them the way we would like to be supported, without judgment or fear of attack? What if it truly didn't have to be so hard? What if we came together instead of played into the divide and conquer mentality that we've been subjected to and in many ways supported? What if we reached out to another woman, not to claw her, but to lend a hand, offer a kind word and let her know we have her back? Be honest, would you miss the drama? Or, would you you find yourself, maybe for the first time in your life, able to truly exhale? I really wonder what that would be like.

Nadya Suleman referred to by the media as Octo Mom

So much of the media circles around issues that pit moms against other moms based on their choices or circumstances. It would be so much better if we came together and supported each other, united - a sisterhood of mothers!