Wooow.

Did you see? Did you see me with the basketball? Which was actually a toddler-sized soccer ball? Thus not easily dribble-able? Not that I'm defensive about my lack of coordination?

My mother called me this morning to enjoy a hearty laugh regarding my clumsy attempt at sporty behavior, but I contend that I was doing a wacky little bit for Henry's enjoyment. I believe that behaving like a doofus will enhance my son's self-esteem. I consulted several experts about this, because I am a Super-Achieving Perfectionist Robo-Mom. (To be specific, an SAPRM3000, ver. 3.8.)

I was moderately pleased with the segment, but I had low expectations to begin with. I think the idea of an "Alpha Mom" as an actual human being is hilarious, frankly. It's a brand. It's not an identity. It's like having a segment on Club Mom and asking, "Why do these women think they're clubs? Are they actually heavy sticks, thicker on one end than the other? Are they lady cudgels? If so, what makes them like this?"

Henry entered his classroom this morning and shouted, "Attention, everyone! I was on TV today!" Of course, he had nothing to be ashamed of; when thrown a ball on national television, he manages to catch it. That kind of natural star quality--you can't fake that.

Updated to add: the video will be uploaded tonight, when my technically savvy husband comes home.

Updated, again: Here it is...

Comments

[Lisa Milton]

I ran in from getting my girl on the bus, just in time to catch your debut. You were lovely, and Henry should be proud.

I think I say it every time I comment, but truly, I love your sites.

Kudos and props all around.

[Hi Kooky]

Hi Alice,
Ack! I missed the segment! It aired as I sat, blissfully unaware, watching my sons jedi-pose and harass one another through their gymnastics lesson... Any mercy for the clueless? Does a video clip of your appearance exist on the internet? Yet? I hope so. Love, love, love your blog.
From a loyal reader,
Hi Kooky

[ozma]

Wait--do we not get the link? Where's the youtube? I wanna see. Don't tell me we actually had to get up in the morning and watch it on real television?

[coolbeans]

I saw you with the basketball and thought, "Oh, of COURSE they used that part."

I pointed at the television and told my daughter, "LOOK! I know her NAME. Oh oh! And her little boy, too! I'm famous."

[Nothing But Bonfires]

I was very impressed with the smoothie you made. It was a lovely shade of pinky-purple. And I was excited to see (one of) the sunroom(s) make its live debut on national TV!

[alice]

Honestly, I thought me being all spazzy with the basketball was the greatest thing they could have shown, because how ridiculously non-Alpha did I look, right then?

[kyran]

Screw Alphamom- I want to be in the Lady Cudgels.

Going to ff through my dvr recording and find you right now. Sorry, I can't watch network news in realtime, even for Finslippy.

xo

[Mary C]

Thank heavens I had set the Tivo or I would have forgotten! Just watched it and you were great. Very composed. You are very cute and so is Henry!

[Beth]

I hope someone posts a link to the video sometime soon. I tried to catch the segment and missed it. :(

[maggie]

Yes, where is the YouTube version? We working commuting peeps need to see this! Especially a pink smoothie!

[kyranp]

...found it!

First off, you give good tv. You look and sound great. Henry and Isabel too.

But to be honest, I didn't really get the story angle. Or how you were supposed to be representative of where it felt like they were trying to push it. (Grimacing host to co-host: "you're not an Alphamom, ARE you?")

Unless I've missed the boat completely, I thought the whole Alphamom thing is intended to be an ironic, light-hearted catchphrase. In which case, you would be a natural spokesmom. It seems like the producers were trying to set up something more one-up-momship. Good for you for not playing along.

I thought you just came across as lovely, likeable you.

Back to the Lady Cudgels, don't you think we'll need pink satin jackets with embroidered emblems?

[alice]

Not to worry, my commuting friends--Scott recorded it and will help me upload it tonight.

[alice]

Kyran, I think you're right on target. The confusion lies in this whole Alpha Mom As Demographic idea. I don't think the segment makes much sense, either.

[Leslie]

I caught it on the DVR this morning and just watched it. You looked and sounded great. Henry was fabulous, too. Way to go, TV star!

[VenturaMom]

"Count me in for one of the Lady Cudgel pink satin jackets, please," she said as she patiently waited for the YouTube link.

[KatieG]

Really, Alice? You were "moderately pleased?" I thought the taped piece went well, but then GMA dropped the hammer on me. I was expecting it, really (after the Today incident.) The commentary at the end was laughable. Cut to the crowd of moms shaking their heads in disbelief that "those Alpha Moms" view raising their children as a career and *gasp* even make their own smoothies! When Robin Roberts asked Juju Chang, "You aren't an Alpha Mom, are you?" it was the final straw. It seemed to me that GMA took yet another opportunity to divide mothers into two groups. The tone of the segment seemed to suggest that if you devote the same energy to raising a family as you would a career outside the home that this is somehow silly or that you are "trying to be perfect." Am I the only one that saw the piece this way?

[DM]

Oh, thank God. I'm glad that you'll post the link. Because, yeah, I told myself all weekend to set up the DVR. And blissfully said "I'll do it Monday before I leave for work." And then Monday came and I staggered out the door, cursing the Monday gods (and the tax season gods as well but thank God that's almost over - Mondays and people asking for their cost basis does not mix well).

May I be a Lady Cudgel as well, even though I don't have kids? I have a cat. Does that count?

[Dana]

I missed the segment because my boss demanded my attention. Do you think it will be online? If there's a link, I'd love to view it!

[alice]

Katie, you're right. As I said, though, I expected that to happen. Which is so sad and cynical of me, but I totally expected it. It did suck, but it was so textbook. Of *course* they had the women in there shaking their heads. It was just lame.

[melissaS]

You're so right about it being a demographic, a brand and not an identity.

Thank you network television! Please keep fighting the mommy wars for us! It's so incredibly enjoyable for all involved.

[Caron]

I missed it too. shoot!

Here's a link to a written version on abc's website: http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/AmericanFamily/story?id=3022510&page=1

Anyone have a youtube link? : ) Pretty Please?

[Woman with Kids]

Link... must... have... link!

[cce]

Looking for the link. Let us know when we can link on over. I want to see the head shakers for myself. Apparently they don't read your blog as you are nothing if not self deprecating, amusing, likeable and far removed from a SAHM proselytizer of the 'Oh look at me I am perfect variety'. That's why your audience loves you...you're like them, only more eloquent.

[chris]

I LOVED the basketball portion. I felt such a bond with you as a mother whose athletic ability is overshadowed by that of a preschooler.

My sons tried to teach me to throw a baseball this past week without jumping as I release the ball. I am just thankful there was no news crew filming it ;-)

[kyran]

having read the transcript to see if it was me or GMA who was missing the irony, I now have two burning questions:

You got a free Nintendo Wii? Dang.

Do advertising executives actually speak in terms of "sucking" people in? Really? They'd just come out and say it on national tv, like there was nothing wrong with it? Can we have a segment on that issue, all by itself?

i suspect your comments box will blow up before midnight. whenever these shows bring on a blogger whose opinions and values I feel somewhat familiar with, it just shows up how truly limited and shallow the format of these shows is. and that's compared to blogging, which should give somebody, somewhere pause for serious sober thought.

[Pretty Rambo]

The transcript on abcnews.go reports that "...when Nintendo rolled out its Wii game system last year, it created a buzz by giving special access to trendsetting alpha moms."

Alpha moms got Wiis? Where's our Wii? I mean, I've been waving something around the living room, but it sure as hell isn't a Wii...

[joe]

I'm a dad, not a mom, and certainly I'm no Alpha Dad, but I agree with Maggie in that I found the angle confusing. I enjoyed your more humanistic approach as opposed to the "Wall Street Hot Shot" who takes the same "experience and intensity" of the work place an applies it to parenting".

I don't know...seems while parenting is certainly intense, they're making it sound like something we're trying to “win”or advance in…"Today I’m only a middle-parent, but I plan to work really hard and one day hope to advance to upper-level parenting."

For some reason I pictured the "hot shot" as one who would scream at her kid's teacher for not recognizing his genius. You, on the other hand, came across quite normal and goofy.

[Pretty Rambo]

Exactly, kyran. Reverse dang, there.

[Sam]

I actually woke up this morning thinking, "I have to see Alice on TV!" I hope you are honored that you were MY FIRST THOUGHT upon waking. Or scared.

I don't think that ABC quite got the gist of the whole Alpha Mom thing, but it wasn't horribly skewed. Not as bad as the Today show, in any way. You were perfectly coherent and sensible and totally not scary at all.

And I thought the smoothies looked delicious!

[Pretty Rambo]

Exactly, kyran. No Wii. Reverse dang, there.

[Isabel Kallman]

Alice, you were fantastic and I am so proud of you.

This debate is interesting. I wanted to share some things. When we chose the name for the company, we were looking for a number of things. We decided on Alpha Mom as a brand name since we it spoke to us as a reflection of modern motherhood when so many moms today are forced to juggle so much given that the support systems of the past are just not there (support= family, gov't, school, etc).

So, our goal was to create a community (on TV at first, then online) that could be honest and to which women and mothers could relate.

At this time, I am proud that our content has stayed true to our underlying mission. Our video content is serious in nature, but non-judgmental in tone as we believe that parents are smart enough to make the best decisions for them and their families.

On the written side, we have taken great care to have wonderful women writers like Alice help develop the voice of Alpha Mom. The writers discuss issues that are important to parents as I think it helps them maintain their individual identity. I think we all go through periods of being "out of balance" and I think the physical and emotional intensity of being a parent make moms most at risk. The fact that many non-parents visit the Alpha Mom website speaks for itself.

Now, about GMA. If there is something I've learned the hard way: you cannot control the media. However, I am thrilled that I asked Alice to consider GMA and I am eternally grateful to her for being so downright fabulous.

Thanks for letting me share.

[Isabel Kallman]

BTW, I am still laughing at "Wall Street HotShot." I think my former colleagues are too.

Isabel
Alpha Mom

[Krisco]

I can't wait to see the clip!

Oddly I am in such a remote area we don't even appear to get GMA! Is that possible? In America? I mean, it is GM A. I don't get it. Can't wait to see the clip here.

[kate]

i'm glad the video will be up. Intelligent me only remembered when there were 5 minutes left of GMA.

[Michelle]

Just watched it (Tivo!!) - Henry is adorable, I loved the shot of you reading together. I wish you were on longer!

[dd]

"Lady Cudgel" is my favorite female hiphop artist.

[the new girl]

I thought you were great. Loved the basket-soccerball. I also really loved seeing Henry and hearing his voice, since I've read a lot of his words here.

I think GMA and (any mass media) like you said, should be expected to put that kind of divisive type spin to it, to make it more *controversial* and *compelling* to the masses. What made me laugh-cringe was the marketer (or whoever she was) talking about 'Beta' moms following behind the Alpha Moms. lmao.

What the hell is a Beta Mom?

Also, I was delighted and surprised to be flashed by Kristen & Liz from Cool Mom Picks!! (You know. Flashed in a way that was still show-able on morning tv.) Lots of great bloggers in one segment.

[kyran]

Isabel, I think you should absolutely own "hotshot". Just abbreviate it to "hot". ;)

How dare you be well-groomed, gorgeous, and intelligent, with interests outside the home and still call yourself a mommy?

Don't you know it makes the rest of us feel better to imagine something is terribly wrong with that picture? Me, I was hoping that your legs might be stubbly. But others might need to picture you as a screaming banshee.

God knows we can't have mothers with varying aptitudes, gifts, interests, challenges. Oh wait, yes we can. We just have to pit them against each other.

You want in the Lady Cudgels? Your nickname could be "Hotshot".

xo

[lynn]

Aside from the actual mommy featuring content I was disgusted with it.

This witch-burner of a segment was almost crazily complete except I was waiting for a little graphic somewhere to sum up everything. Some vibrantly colored little illustration for the piece, with a perfectly coifed uber mom sporting a powersuit, masterfully juggling a cooked turkey, bottle, laptop, iron, dish soap, big impressive book and cure for cancer, while her small child somewhere in the background is simultaneously watching an educational dvd, painting a picture, knitting mommy a scarf, tying his shoe and filling out college applications. This woman, she's just nuts, control freaky and far too demanding of her poor defenseless baby whom she's channeled all her atrophying career energy on, cause again, she's nuts.

But of course the reality of it was excruciating enough. With the rolling of the eyes and making of sloppy and outlandish statements and suggestion of how much better we and the other mothers in the studio are than these women because there can be no alternative way for raising children than the exact way we go about it. Which is in it's self the epitome of women who are trying to be actual (non website related) Alpha moms. Especially when no where in there was someone featured saying that site members/contributers and readers/watchers were better (which seemed to be the false theme of the story). Add in the sarcastic, shaming narration, that was utterly unneeded (since most people, even this early in the morning, when presented with material can form their own opinion) and just ick.

In a piece of their own making every element stated 'Who are these clueless robot women who don't get how real women live and feel, and who do they think they are pushing their crazy agenda on OUR show!?'.

Also the whole name being very serious bit. So silly.
Good Morning America?
Are they like insisting that every morning is good in America?
That nothing bad ever happens on any given morning?
That's just ridiculous.
Don't you agree
I agree.
What an inane, unfounded assertion!

yeesh

[fairly odd mother]

I practically ran over the children to get to the TV in time to watch it. And imagine how lovely things were in my house----they were fighting the entire segment which led me to scream at them so I could listen to the segment about being a perfect mommy. I thought you were great and Henry is adorable. If only I had actually heard the piece through the yelling.

[lynn]

I've cooled off a little. Just overall I was saddened to see the average negative approach used, when with such a positive example they could have easily gone the other way or been a bit more neutral. I look forward to innovative mommies being represented in a good light in future.

[Libby]

Thank goodness for Scott--'cause I totally forgot! I'll check back later to see all the fun.

[Pixie]

I didn't really listen to anyone except you & the other Alpha Mom, because you were the reason I Tivoed the show! I love your house, it looks warm & cozy. & Henry is a doll.

[slouching mom]

I enjoyed "meeting" you, and Henry, and yes, Kristen and Liz, if briefly.

But about the piece? It was just...weird.

I am not stupid, but I came away from it thinking WTF? What was that ABOUT?

There's WAY too much labeling going on for my taste.

[Jenn]

Alice, I loved how you handled the entire segment. What you said both in the show and here were right on. You did a great job handling it.

The media fueling the wars? SO OVER THAT.

I myself am probably a Zeta mom. You know, the kind that says, "Get your own juice, sweetie, Mommy is playing with her free Wii right now."

[E]

Alice,

You were wonderful! Henry was wonderful! The smoothie making was wonderful!

That said, what the f*** was that segment about? Other than the pithy things you said, it made absolutely no sense.

[elise]

I thought you were pretty and Henry was adorable. I could care less what GMA is trying to "say".

But what can I say? I'm a Finslippy fan, first and foremost :)

[LOD]

You're a natural for TV. And according to ABC's b-roll, all you need to be an Alpha Mom is to 1) engage your kids and 2) own a laptop.

I also like how they think the term "Alpha Mom" is "new." Coming up next: "The Berlin Wall: Will it ever fall?"

[ozma]

You were amazingly lucid and insightful. And so young! Somehow with all your wryness and irony I expected you to be dessicated and wizened with bitterness as I am. But you are as fresh as the morning dew! Still: Why not more you? Is Wellesley not as good as the Ivy League? Was there no mention of Finslippy? It all went by way too fast.

I'm not trying to crack on it since IT IS COOL TO BE ON TV. I MEAN WOW! NATIONAL TELEVISION. Sorry--it's been awhile since I've watched that sort of show and the absurdity of the hostesses' patter really cracked me up. It isn't trying to be a parody of itself is it? Still, you were great even within the confines of that format and it is not easy to come across as an intelligent human in there.

[Mauigirl52]

Great clip, Alice! Thanks so much for posting it, I just remembered this afternoon that I hadn't turned the TV on this morning!