Perhaps I am not the only mother to just give up; hand over the screwdriver and say; "Go ahead kid, do your worst". Or maybe these photos of my shirtless 2 year old (apparently experimenting with electronics) will be used as evidence against me. I don't think I am concerned either way. My child is fed today... I am out of bed... heck; I even made dinner. Are the dishes done? Hell no. Have I made the Robot costume I purchased $30 worth of supplies for? No, I have not... BUT I intend to... by 4:00 PM on October 31st.
On almost a daily basis I ask this question in my head; "Does this make me a bad mother"? I have questioned the long pokey objects I let my son run around with, the candy I bribe him with so I can make a phone call, the tote bag (some might call a purse) that I encourage my son to carry his Thomas Trains in, and the anti-war pin I let (re:force) my 2 year old to wear to the mall. Do I give my son a bath often enough? Do I feed him well balanced meals? Is encouraging him to parrot "George Bush is a Poo-poo head" a bad thing???
This week there was a woman from Norway on Oprah who, when comparing national parenting practices, said she would never give her child Peanut Butter; as if Peanut Butter sandwiches were some horrific American ritual destined to keep future generations of American children apathetic to the troubles of the planet... Pu-leessse! Don't even get me started!
I am a good mother. Each day I make sure to tell my son I love him. I give him lots of hugs and kisses and I try to make certain that each time he enters the room I smile his way. When he is afraid to try something new I tell him "you can do it buddy!". And when he throws a tantrum because I refused to let him eat a raisin he found under the refrigerator I don't send him to him to his room or put him in time out... I make sure it is indeed a raisin, then I let him eat it.
There's something wrong with a mother who washes out a measuring cup with soap and water after she's only measured water in it.
Erma Bombeck
