ABSTRACT
Typical differences in the styles that parents adopt in accounting for their actions are related to negotiated definitions of the ways in which their situation is different to that of normal parenthood. As parents account for acknowledged or observed differences, they make evident otherwise unobservable aspects of their private activities which are 'what any parent would do' in the circumstances in question. They display aspects of the biography of a normal parent, as defined in the official morality, which are relevant to a given event. Even if parents privately 'accept' the child's condition, they may be unable to manage his public presentation it is difficult to find an audience for endless self-recrimination. Whenever the child is present, parents must invigilate his performance and make proper restitution when it gives offence. Parents' presentation may be inappropriate to the child's 'actual' condition, whether present or future.
