NY Mom kicks kids out of car and drives off.

[Senusret I]

Originally Posted by paulam

So "mommy dearest" is a high powered lawyer. Big deal. She is a total failure as a parent, the most important job she will ever have. How sad.

Save the histrionics -- a total failure as a parent she is not.

[honeychile]

Paluam, I so understand you! I had the wonderful opportunity to be in a restaurant when a little boy started to really act up. His father spoke to him once, and the second time, the fther marched him out of the restaurant, and we could see Daddy scold Bad Son outside.

Eventually, they both came back in, and the little boy stopped at all the tables near their table and said, "I'm sorry I ruined your dinner."

I happened to run into the father as we were leaving, and told him that there needs to be more fathers like him. He thanked me and said that if he didn't follow up on what he had told his son what he was going to do, the son would never learn to listen to him.

I wanted to applaud!

[PM_Mama00]

My nephew is the typical 4 year old boy. There are times when he acts up and he definitely gets punished for it. When he's good, he's really good and polite. I think sometimes it's just in their genes. My brother apparently was a terror when he was younger. Everyone says this is his payback.

[paulam]

Originally Posted by honeychile

Paluam, I so understand you! I had the wonderful opportunity to be in a restaurant when a little boy started to really act up. His father spoke to him once, and the second time, the fther marched him out of the restaurant, and we could see Daddy scold Bad Son outside.

Eventually, they both came back in, and the little boy stopped at all the tables near their table and said, "I'm sorry I ruined your dinner."

I happened to run into the father as we were leaving, and told him that there needs to be more fathers like him. He thanked me and said that if he didn't follow up on what he had told his son what he was going to do, the son would never learn to listen to him.

I wanted to applaud!

What a great father and what a lucky little boy.

It only takes a moment for a predator to pick up a child out on the street. Why would anyone think this woman was a good mother for placing her children in that position? When she learned the 10 year old was missing, she seemed to realize something terrible could have happened to her child. If she were so wonderful, she would not have placed her daughter in danger. To me that is failing your child.

[Senusret I]

Originally Posted by paulam

What a great father and what a lucky little boy.

It only takes a moment for a predator to pick up a child out on the street. Why would anyone think this woman was a good mother for placing her children in that position? When she learned the 10 year old was missing, she seemed to realize something terrible could have happened to her child. If she were so wonderful, she would not have placed her daughter in danger. To me that is failing your child.

Why would anyone think she was a TOTAL FAILURE either?

[RU OX Alum]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

Why would anyone think she was a TOTAL FAILURE either?

Because she failed. Totally.

I hope she's never allowed to be around children again.

[DaemonSeid]

Originally Posted by RU OX Alum

Because she failed. Totally.

I hope she's never allowed to be around children again.

You know...it's just one incident...one would really have to see what her home life is like to make that determination.

Question: For those of you that call her a total failure, how many of you have children?

[RU OX Alum]

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

You know...it's just one incident...one would really have to see what her home life is like to make that determination.

Question: For those of you that call her a total failure, how many of you have children?

Okay, maybe that was a bit harsh, but...

if she were my wife, I would be thinking divorce.

Seriously. I'm not trusting anyone that would put a child in danger like that. A question for you: Would you leave your ten year old daughter (or 12 or both) alone on the street?

[KSigkid]

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

You know...it's just one incident...one would really have to see what her home life is like to make that determination.

Question: For those of you that call her a total failure, how many of you have children?

That's my whole thing - I mean, you can say she made a bad decision here, but saying she's a "total failure" as a parent is going too far. It screams "Ivory Tower."

I'm not sure if it matters whether those people are parents, though. Just because someone's a parent doesn't make them an expert on parenting. It just means they've been able to put their own parenting philosophy into practice.

[paulam]

Originally Posted by DaemonSeid

You know...it's just one incident...one would really have to see what her home life is like to make that determination.

Question: For those of you that call her a total failure, how many of you have children?

I have 35 years experience as a mother, who, while not perfect raised two wonderful sons. I also raised my stepson who is nearly 40. That was very difficult but we managed, through loving discipline, to get him to adulthood. So yes, I do know what a good mother does and does not do, even under extreme circumstances. It's the most difficult, yet rewarding job anyone can ever have.

Most of the responses questioning my use of "total failure" have been from males. Do you have children? Would you leave them alone on a commercial street?

Paula M
Sigma Delta Tau
Patrae Multi Spes Una
One Hope of Many People

[nikki1920]

Originally Posted by paulam

What a great father and what a lucky little boy.

It only takes a moment for a predator to pick up a child out on the street. Why would anyone think this woman was a good mother for placing her children in that position? When she learned the 10 year old was missing, she seemed to realize something terrible could have happened to her child. If she were so wonderful, she would not have placed her daughter in danger. To me that is failing your child.

To me, that is teaching your child consequences. To say she is a total failure as a parent is being extreme, BASED ON THIS ONE INCIDENT. A predator can pick up a child at home, at school, anywhere. This, hopefully, was a one time incident. Mom got tired (imagine that!) of talking, kids knew she wouldn't follow through, Mom switched it up on them. I say it's creative parenting.

Tomayto, tomahto.

Yes, Susan Smith is a total failure.