In parenting, as in much of my life, I’m pretty earnest and a hard worker. I try to do my best.

There are personal limitations that are just… limiting. Brick wall thick, even.

One of those for me is the whole pet issue. I just am not a dogcathamstersnakebunnypotbelliedpig lover. Back when I wrote fiction, I had to remind myself to put pets into my stories occasionally because people have pets.

Don’t you know that my shockingly responsible eight year-old would looooooooooove a pet? He says a cat would be the best (fortunately, his papa and his brother are allergic).

When I see him with his grandma’s dogs, I do feel terribly guilty.

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Number of ways to find yourself a Bad Mother: countless.