Weighing in on the Mommy WarsFollow

Well, the point you apparently missed being that general child-rearing hasn't significantly changed in that time. The institution of education has.Not much to argue there. I disagree with your assessment but I won't argue that you think it.I would disagree with that as well, although I've also been careful to add the caveat "in-home" to distinguish them from those who may be in organizations which require special licensing, certification, etc.

Nah, that doesn't even look like half a snipe. This part of your original confused me:
which is why I brought up my time alone. But yeah, that woman sounds like she cant handle being a mom if she cant be around them even after having them in day care all day.

Why does the "imminent danger" qualifier always come up when discussing spanking? Is it even necessary to mention? Who is going to say, "when my kid is reaching for a hot stove, I'll tell him 'no' but I won't touch him. Or I'll try to stop him, but only slowly enough that it won't be considered hitting." It's not even technically spanking at all (it's protective, not punitive), why do you feel it necessary to explain it away? Bah!

Oh, you just wait until Smash hears of this... Then you'll be in trouble!

But at least you won't get spanked. Every cloud...

Though I don't have kids, I do have a uterus and opinions a-plenty, so here goes:

1. Career Mom vs Stay at Home Mom

Almost a meaningless question in the current U.S. economy. Most parents do not have the luxury of even making this choice. Ideally, one of the parents at home at least until the child is in school. I have no Mom vs. Dad preference.

2. Breast or Bottle (keep in mind kids need to eat in public too, when answering)

Breast when possible. I just think it's healthier. Bewbies are good for babies! And I find nothing offensive in a woman breast-feeding a baby in public.

3. To Spank, or Not To Spank

Whatever works with the child in question, and every parent has to figure that one out with each child. If the job can be accomplished without spanking (and I'm convinced it usually can be) all the better. Gotta put the fear into those tykes early though, so they dread displeasing you. When my mom would ask in that deadly calm and quiet voice "do you want me to stop the car?" it was terror time. This was not based on any fear of a spanking. We kids had no idea what would happen if Mom actually ever did stop the car because her asking the question was always enough to snap us into obedience.

4. Organic only Foods? Fast Food OK?

The concern about the safety of our foods (and the long term health impact of the additives to them) is going to feed the movement toward parents choosing less processed foods for their families. Oh hell, who am I kidding? Everybody's tired when they get home and that drive-through is awfully quick and convenient.

I think by and large, most parents are muddling through, doing the best they know how at the time. They don't need me ragging on them. Parents who frequently drop their kids into daycare simply to get away from them do disturb me though. That just seems so wrong. Scheduling a little "me" time, no problem. Got lots of errands you want to finish quickly? Perfectly reasonable. Just find the kids too tiring to deal with on a regular basis? Something's wrong here.

Edited, May 4th 2007 2:00pm by Yanari