Father Loses 2 Young Children In Tornado
Why It's Hard To Get Along With Your In-Laws
For Astronauts, It's A Family Affair
Filed under: Just For Moms, Just For Dads, Work Life, In The News
The crew of space shuttle Discovery have 20 children among them. Credit: Getty Images
Space: The final frontier ... for parents?
All seven astronauts aboard the space shuttle Discovery, which was supposed to launch Tuesday but got delayed and launched on Saturday, are parents, reports the Associated Press in a story picked up by The New York Times.
In total, the crew boasts 20 children ranging in age from 6 to 26. The AP offered a glimpse into the lives of the parents.
While space has become a family affair, only one mom is along for Discovery's ride -- Nicole Stott, who has a 7-year-old son. Stott, 46, will have the distinction of being the first American woman to live at the international space station for three months with a young child at home. Her husband, Chris, will care for their son while the space mom is away, as he has done throughout Stott's overseas training.
In spite of the adventurous nature of Stott's business trip, she sounded like a lot of moms who juggle work and family when she told the AP, "'I can honestly say I would not be doing this if I didn't think it was to help improve life here on Earth for him [her son] and make things better for the future for him and other kids as well."
Stott isn't the only one inspired by her child.
Astronaut Danny Olivas, 43, has five children ages 6 to 14. He told the AP: "'The whole notion of exploring and space is what we, as human beings, can fundamentally do to nurture our children's sense of awe and pushing their own envelopes."
And Jose Hernandez, 47, also a father of five, hopes his family history will inspire children. Having grown up in a Mexican migrant family and used education to overcome poverty, Hernandez told the AP he wants kids to think, ''Hey, you know, if he did it, why can't I do it?''
Adding to the Discovery brood, pilot Kevin Ford has two children in their 20s; Commander Rick Sturckow has two young children; Patrick Forrester has two sons in their 20s; and Swedish astronaut Christer Fuglesang has three children.
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ReaderComments (Page 1 of 1)
8-30-2009 @ 8:30AM
directahead said...Congrats. and safe landing there and on your return..You all will be in my prayers for a secessful venture. God Bless you all.
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8-30-2009 @ 9:05AM
dale said...Leaving family behind for work is a fact of life for many. I was in the US Air Force for 20 years and spent months away from family while I served in Saudi Arabia and Italy. There were plenty of shorter temporary duty assignments as well.
And now, with the economy the way it is, I've had to take a job 700 miles from where my family is now. Most of my kids are grown, but I still have a 19 and 16 year old at home.
Nichole Stott is a grad of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, my own Alma Mater, BTW.
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9-06-2009 @ 2:30PM
mommiedear said...Congrats! this is totally awesome! www.truuconfessions.com has an opinion on this too!
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8-30-2009 @ 10:17AM
Suntierra said...For a man to be away from family is different than a woman. I give this woman credit for becoming an astronaut and I appreciate the hard work that got her to where she is. I am sure her family is very proud as are all women but there is a negative side.
My daughter is in the Naval reserves. I applaud her for loving her country enough to give of herself but there are two children. My grandson is 7 and granddaughter is 6.
They stayed with me and their father this past two weeks while she was in combat training. She is going to Afghanistan in January. They still haven't been told she is going.
Her children were devestated. I was the one who saw them cry for mommy and heard them say they had bad dreams that their mommy was lost. This time it was only two weeks. What will happen when she goes in December for 10 months?
At this age children need their mommy to comfort them when something goes wrong. They need the hugs, kisses, comfort, direction only a mother can give. They don't understand the sacrifice their parent is making for their country. They only understand their mommy is not there.
I applaud her for giving of herself and I will be there for her children.......but i am not MOMMY!
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8-30-2009 @ 2:23PM
john foote said...She is hot, three months in space with all those men! You go girl.
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8-30-2009 @ 11:48AM
vickie said........but ,I grew up with a mother that had to work .........She worked so we could eat.......I would rather of had her more with me..... than to have nice things......I am sure there are safer jobs for this mom because she has to be intelligent to go in space......She can't get those 3 months back out of her kids life........its about choices....I would rather stay with my kids ....but thats me.......
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8-30-2009 @ 11:51AM
vickie said.......I agree.....a mother is a mother....noone else could take my mothers place.....noone really askes the kids what they want,either.
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8-30-2009 @ 9:21PM
Kim said...Have fun! God speed! Wish I could go to space, too :)
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8-30-2009 @ 9:45PM
Susan Jones said...If she wants to do something for her kids, she needs to be there with them instead of going off into space. They should be first, Not a career.
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8-30-2009 @ 11:58PM
Kellie said...Are you guys kidding me? This female astronaut is leaving her children with their FATHER. Not a stranger, not a grandparent, their DAD. How come their are no comments on the dad astronauts above leaving the kids? Dad's today are aware of what their roles are and what children need. I would have no problem leaving my children with my husband because I know he is in tune with their needs. How confusing for your children in a household where only mom can give them what they need.
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8-31-2009 @ 12:34AM
KatieCouric'sNemesis said...At least she has a husband to help out. Every single mother who works understands that, as much as she wants to be with her children, earning a living is important. Without that, the only option is welfare.
It's been almost forty years since women were expected to be at-home moms, and reading these comments just shows how secist our nation still is.
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