My Questions & Answers

• Mommy confessions: What's the most effective bribe?

  None of the above. I've posted mine below.

  • Bribing just reinforces bad behavior. Here kid, if you whine I'll buy you a toy?! Speak firmly, restate expectations, but don't bribe the

• Teacher gifts: How much do I spend?

  Up to $25 is reasonable. It gets pricey when you have to buy more than one.

  • I am a teacher, and really don't expect any parents to give me a gift for teaching their child (not to say that if you DO choose to give one it won't be greatly appreciated).

• Letters to Santa: How many gifts are OK to list?

  We don't discuss an exact number. My kids know it's a "wish" list, so they can wish as much as they like.

  • I allow my child to write as much as she wants, but also have conversations with her about it. She's very aware that she CANNOT expect to get everything she wishes for, but should be happy if she even gets one, and that it's up to Santa to decide which one of her wishes to give her.

• Is it OK for pregnant women to drink alcohol in small amounts?

  No. It’s an unnecessary, bad habit for pregnant women.

  • They shouldn't drink at all! Why would anyone want to risk their baby being born with FAS (something that has lifelong repercusions)?
  • You're advocating smoking marijuana when pregnant?! WTF? Anyone who needs any sort of substance to relax has serious issues. I don't smoke, I don't drink, nor have I ever done drugs.
  • When you CHOOSE to carry a child to term, you have certain obligations, #1 of which is to provide that child with the best possible start.

• Is it OK for a mother to casually smoke pot?

  No. It’s inappropriate for a mother of young children to ever smoke pot. It’s an illegal substance.

  • And cocaine is derived from a plant as well, does that mean it's ok to take?

• Should baby boys be circumcised?

  Maybe. I think it's a very personal family decision.

  • No woman should EVER douche! That's not a matter of cleanliness, and in fact douching causes serious problems! Douching removes the body of the ability to properly, naturally, cleanse itself and actually causes infections. As far as circumcising goes, have any of you every seen it being done? T …
  • And what evidence have you to suggest that it's mostly homosexuals opposed to it? I am a heterosexual woman and would never have any child of mine go through that procedure. It's out and out mutilation.
  • Infants don't feel pain?! Are you insane? The night my daughter was born she screamed for hours because of the headache she had from birth. They say that apart from giving birth, the most painful thing any human will experience is being born.
  • Would you amputate while only using Orajel or Ambesil to kill the pain? That is effectively what they are doing! If they perform the procedure on a grown man they knock him out to do so. Do you honestly believe that it is less painful on an infant?
  • Fawna, don't speak for "most women." You really have no idea what most women want, just want you want.
  • So you could be dating a wonderful guy that treated you like a queen and you'd dump him just because he's not cut?! How shallow could you possibly get?!

• Was Southwest right to kick screaming kid off flight?

  Yes.

• Would you allow your child to work in the entertainment industry?

  No.

  • A child's job is just to be that: a child.

• Is it harder for a man to stay at home with the kids than it is for a woman to stay home?

  No. Staying at home is just as challenging for a woman as it is for a man.

  • I have to agree with "someone actually literate". I watched about 10 minutes of 1 show ever and couldn't watch any more. She yelled at him the entire time. I can't understand why anyone would want to live with that. I think Kate's just angry that he wouldn't put up with it anymore.

• Do the men in your life listen to you?

  Not really.