Is Palin a horrible mother?

[MindSpin]

How is it possible to be a mother that is involved in her kids lives, while working full time   I understand that some people have no choice and need dual incomes to get by.  But, if you don't need the dual income, why would a mother of little kids choose to work full time!?  It seems like a very selfish thing to do

[a_joker10]

Yay sexism at its best.

Why doesn't the father stay at home if he makes less money?

[MindSpin]

Yay sexism at its best.

Why doesn't the father stay at home if he makes less money?

At least one parent should stay home, whichever is best suited to do so.  In our case, once we were fortunate enough to get pregnant, my wife stopped working and took on the full time job of being a mother.  And believe me, it's FULL time.  And, quite frankly, it's the most important job of all.  All I do is bring home a paycheck.  My wife is a major influence on the daily lives our little girls.  I can't imagine delegating that HUGE responsibility to a nanny or day care center... 

[a_joker10]

At least one parent should stay home, whichever is best suited to do so.  In our case, once we were fortunate enough to get pregnant, my wife stopped working and took on the full time job of being a mother.  And believe me, it's FULL time.  And, quite frankly, it's the most important job of all.  All I do is bring home a paycheck.  My wife is a major influence on the daily lives our little girls.  I can't imagine delegating that HUGE responsibility to a nanny or day care center... 

I don't.

Many parents are horrible and some should be around their kids as little as possible.

[MindSpin]

I don't.

Many parents are horrible and some should be around their kids as little as possible.

Thanks for stating the obvious

[CQ]

Yay sexism at its best.

Why doesn't the father stay at home if he makes less money?

I feel a mother with a downs baby, 2 young kids, a pregnant teen and an 18yr old has no place focusing her attention not on her kids.

Women in the day didn't fight for equal rights so women could leave their kids and run around waving at crowds. Many qualified people for VP, those kids have one mom.

What will she do? Tell Putin to reschedule as Willow is getting tonsils out? Tell Merkel to call her back as the baby is crying? Tell Kevin Rudd to chang his plans, as it's a PTA meeting? Or will she brush the kids important stuff off? It will be one of the other - she will suck at one job.

If any man running had 4 minor kids, 1 downs baby, 1 teen who is pregnant which is construed as poor parenting already by some - I would think their focus needs to be on their kids also - not running for the most demanding job ever.

[MindSpin]

I feel a mother with a downs baby, 2 young kids, a pregnant teen and an 18yr old has no place focusing her attention not on her kids.

Women in the day didn't fight for equal rights so women could leave their kids and run around waving at crowds. Many qualified people for VP, those kids have one mom.

What will she do? Tell Putin to reschedule as Willow is getting tonsils out? Tell Merkel to call her back as the baby is crying? Tell Kevin Rudd to chang his plans, as it's a PTA meeting? Or will she brush the kids important stuff off? It will be one of the other - she will suck at one job.

If any man running had 4 minor kids, 1 downs baby, 1 teen who is pregnant which is construed as poor parenting already by some - I would think their focus needs to be on their kids also - not running for the most demanding job ever.

Very well put! 

[a_joker10]

I feel a mother with a downs baby, 2 young kids, a pregnant teen and an 18yr old has no place focusing her attention not on her kids.

Women in the day didn't fight for equal rights so women could leave their kids and run around waving at crowds. Many qualified people for VP, those kids have one mom.

What will she do? Tell Putin to reschedule as Willow is getting tonsils out? Tell Merkel to call her back as the baby is crying? Tell Kevin Rudd to chang his plans, as it's a PTA meeting? Or will she brush the kids important stuff off? It will be one of the other - she will suck at one job.

If any man running had 4 minor kids, 1 downs baby, 1 teen who is pregnant which is construed as poor parenting already by some - I would think their focus needs to be on their kids also - not running for the most demanding job ever.

So you know their family strategy. Whether the husband will stay home or not, whether they will hire the right specialists that most can't get.

That answer is terrible and very sexist. I know you are women, but there are many answer to raising children.

So female Astronauts or Supreme court judges or female doctors should not work. Or maybe the family can plan around it.

[CQ]

So you know their family strategy. Whether the husband will stay home or not, whether they will hire the right specialists that most can't get.

That answer is terrible and very sexist. I know you are women, but there are many answer to raising children.

So female Astronauts or Supreme court judges or female doctors should not work. Or maybe the family can plan around it.

To clarify further:

Nothing to do with her being a working mother, I was myself. It's a combo of all these things:

- VP is not a regular job, it's highly demanding
- Intense press scrutiny on the kids, already her kid feels that wrath. Doctors kids don't.
- 5 kids total
- Downs baby who requires extra care and stimulation
- Pregnant teenager who requires extra love and attention.

That is a whole different deck of cards. Has anyone ever ran for VP or Prez before with 5 kids, 4 minors, 1 downs baby and a pregnant teen?

And yes, there is an answer to raising kids - you put them first...

[Grape Ape]

Women in the day didn't fight for equal rights so women could leave their kids and run around waving at crowds. Many qualified people for VP, those kids have one mom.

So you think any women with children should be automatically disqualified from holding major political office?

If the Democrats even hint at this, it will have women people flocking to vote for Palin.

[MindSpin]

So you know their family strategy. Whether the husband will stay home or not, whether they will hire the right specialists that most can't get.

That answer is terrible and very sexist. I know you are women, but there are many answer to raising children.

So female Astronauts or Supreme court judges or female doctors should not work. Or maybe the family can plan around it.

Calm down tiger.  I have two daughter's myself and I am raising them to believe that they can do anything they set their minds to.  But, the minute you bring a child into the world, that child becomes the #1 priority.  All other aspirations become secondary for BOTH parents.  

[MindSpin]

So you think any women with children should be automatically disqualified from holding major political office?

If the Democrats even hint at this, it will have women people flocking to vote for Palin.

No, it should not disqualify someone.  But, I do have to question someone who choses to put their career ambitions ahead of their kid's welfare. 

[CQ]

So you think any women with children should be automatically disqualified from holding major political office?

If the Democrats even hint at this, it will have women people flocking to vote for Palin.

See above, and no need to twist my words.

Again - parents who managed to end up with their teenager pregnant, have a grandchild on the way from a kid who is unable to even sustain herself, have a down syndrome baby, have an 8 yr old, have a 14 yr old - may want to consider putting their kids first as they made that decision to have them. That is my point.

And no, Dems dont need to hint at it. Check the polls, since he announced Palin as VP his numbers with women are dropping

Are MS and I the only parents here who think kids come first? Does everyone else treat their kids as afterthoughts to their own desires?

[Grape Ape]

See above, and no need to twist my words.

I didn't think I did

Are MS and I the only parents here who think kids come first? Does everyone else treat their kids as afterthoughts to their own desires?

Of course kids come first.  But your second sentence is based on your own assumptions and it just isn't the case.  Women who have political careers aren't necesarily treating they're kids as "afterthoughts".  That's just hyperbole.

[Grape Ape]

No, it should not disqualify someone.  But, I do have to question someone who choses to put their career ambitions ahead of their kid's welfare. 

I totally understand what you are saying, but implying that it's "one or the other" when it comes to politics and family is a generalization, a would technically disqualify any mother from holding office.  There are sacrifices, yes, but it's not an all or nothing proposition.  There can be balance.

[CQ]

I didn't think I did

Sorry if I was snappy, to explain I am raising a kid as her biological mother dumped her off, so I am hyper sensitive about bad parenting. Excuse my meltdowns.

[Grape Ape]

Sorry if I was snappy, to explain I am raising a kid as her biological mother dumped her off, so I am hyper sensitive about bad parenting. Excuse my meltdowns.

No problems at all.  I wish you good luck.

I get sensitive about it as well, since my wife and I both work full time, and often do struggle with home/work balance.  It is hard, but can be done.

[CQ]

No problems at all.  I wish you good luck.

I get sensitive about it as well, since my wife and I both work full time, and often do struggle with home/work balance.  It is hard, but can be done.

No, I am sure you are great. I did it as a single woman and hate to brag, she turned out great. Thing being, I doubt you have 5, special needs, and we know you aren't running for VP haha. You seem like a good guy, so I am sure you put yours first, which really is what we all need to do.

[a_joker10]

She has a husband.
I would think that he could perform most of the work. Including kissing a bruised knee.
The job of raising a family is for her and her partner.

You assume her husband won't be involved.

[MindSpin]

No problems at all.  I wish you good luck.

I get sensitive about it as well, since my wife and I both work full time, and often do struggle with home/work balance.  It is hard, but can be done.

Where are your kids while each of you is working?

[muscleforlife]

See above, and no need to twist my words.

Again - parents who managed to end up with their teenager pregnant, have a grandchild on the way from a kid who is unable to even sustain herself, have a down syndrome baby, have an 8 yr old, have a 14 yr old - may want to consider putting their kids first as they made that decision to have them. That is my point.

And no, Dems dont need to hint at it. Check the polls, since he announced Palin as VP his numbers with women are dropping

Are MS and I the only parents here who think kids come first? Does everyone else treat their kids as afterthoughts to their own desires?

I am right there with CQ and MS.  Parent's don't have the luxury of anything but children first, especially in The Palin family.  These are huge issues,I'm sure there are thousands of families in a similar boat....Kids with special need, babies having babies, both parents working outside of the home.....

I always believe we as parents don't have the right to put anything above the family especially when there are issues at home.

And on a side note, notice how quickly being POTUS ages you.

Sandra

[a_joker10]

I find it hilarious that some of the most liberal supporters are now for people staying at home to raise their kids.

No one talks about Michelle Obama working outside the home.

I guess that would make them unfit too.

[MindSpin]

I find it hilarious that some of the most liberal supporters are now for people staying at home to raise their kids.

No one talks about Michelle Obama working outside the home.

I guess that would make them unfit too.

whether is Michelle, Palin or anyone else, Once you have kids, that's your #1 job.

[CQ]

I find it hilarious that some of the most liberal supporters are now for people staying at home to raise their kids.

No one talks about Michelle Obama working outside the home.

I guess that would make them unfit too.

No comparison, and I am not for people staying home per se, I didn't.

I am not for older ladies choosing to have downs babies, then going back to work 72 hrs later, then running for VP and leaving baby when they are 4 months old

I am not for mothers having a pregnant teen, and thrusting the poor girl into the media frenzy to recieve veiled attacks in front of millions, and then leave her to run around the states

I am not for mothers of 5 - 2 with special needs - choosing to not put them first. Simple.

Within 10 minutes [literally] of her taking VP, she whipped the kids out, introduced them, said she was a hockey mom, talked about her mothering. Well, you want to run on that, it will be commented on. You want to preach abstinence while your kid is pregnant, that will be commented on.

[Tre]

Cranking out 5 kids doesn't make one a 'mother'.