ABSTRACT
A hassled stay-at-home mother of two compares her own competence unfavorably with a news story about a mother who manages a family of 14. An employed mother sees her own juggling act in the context of a TV nurse’s balancing ER work with the care of infant twins. A stay-athome mother feels in good company with one who calls Dr. Laura Schlessinger to say how happy she is with her work/family choice. A protective mom contrasts her own domestic vigilance with the absenteeism of the parents of two murderous Columbine teenagers. A dad who can “handle a little Springer” contrasts its love/marriage and social class dynamics with his own, and finds it easy to feel superior.
