bad mom's dark side

What was your biggest disappointment when you found out you were pregnant and how did you cope with it?
Hmmm. Because I am an utter control freak, I pretty much had everything in place. Let's see. I guess a big disappointment was how very emotional I became and therefore could not bear to teach the adjudicated youth I worked with anymore; crying in front of teenage students is decidedly unproductive. I coped by constantly pinching myself when feeling weepy, getting those kids ready for and passing their tests as fast as I could, and helping them hire a new teacher.

How have you managed, if you have, to retain the friendships of child-less friends?
I didn't do very well - the few childless friends we had were pretty much left out of the new-baby-loop. But more, I think, due to their discomfort with the shift of attention & priorities. (I think?) Wow, that feels pretty rotten. (Thanks a lot for reminding me...).

Have you acknowledged the mistakes you have made in raising your child, to your child?
Oh definitely. The few times I've become a lunatic (Hulk Mom, actually tearing my son's door from its hinges, and various episodes of shrieking and grabbing shoulders) I have announced a time out for myself then followed up with a calm discussion of what went wrong and how we'll behave differently next time. I'm hoping to figure less in their future therapy sessions because of this...(Wish me luck).

What is the best thing your kid's other parent has said about your parenting?
He is awestruck at my creativity in discipline strategies, and appreciates my ability to stay calm (my beastly actions notwithstanding) in discussions.

What is the worst?
That I let them get away with too much backtalk. (Whatever).