The Ethics of Motherhood

Is it okay to completely tune your children out as they go on and on and on telling you lots of things about remote control toys or legos or inventions they are planning which you don't really pay attention to (all the while you continually nod your head and say "oh" and "I see").  When they slip a question in, unnoticed by you, you absentmindedly nod your head (anything to get them out of your hair) and they scuttle off.  A few minutes later, when when you stumble across your kids knee deep in the chocolate chips, a mere half hour before dinner time, you lash out in rage, only to find out that you gave them permission only a few minutes earlier? Is that okay?

Or is it okay to put your toddler to bed only a half hour after she gets up in the morning, because she is being so stinkin' naughty you can't stand it.  And then she plays happily in her crib, reading her books, playing with her babies, while you read blogs and write posts?  Is that okay?

Is it okay to tell your kindergartner that good heavens, for the millionth time, eight plus eight equals sixteen and for the love of Pete just give me the pencil and I will write the answer for you?  Is that okay?

Is it okay that half of my daughters math problems are over my head, and even when I read the textbook, I still can't help her?  Yes, that is bad.  

Is it okay to have neglected the laundry for so long that you actually find yourself digging through the laundry for a not so dirty pair of underwear for a child?  Surely that isn't okay, or is it?

Is it okay to give your daughter only fruit leather to eat all day, because everything else you give her ends up squished into her hair or thrown on the floor, disdainfully rejected?  

Is it wrong to laugh every time your baby shouts "go 'way" in  a nasty tone as any one of her siblings approaches her?  Where did she get that anyway?  Me?  That would not be okay, but is very likely.

Is it okay to have 5 activities scheduled in one day?  No.  But it happens all the time.

Is it okay to have your kindergartener say, "Mom if you made a list at the grocery store it would be easier."?

Oh dear.  Life isn't perfect, but it is exciting when you throw 4 kids in the mix.