Editor's Note - May 2018

Joni Hoffman

Oh, the shame. I can totally relate to the moms who fessed up to low parenting moments in this month’s Back Porch. I was guilty of a few. The one that still stings is the time Michael and I really wanted to get out on a Saturday night. We did not have a baby sitter. I found out about a theater that served dinner, a new concept at the time. The boys were 10 and 12. The only movie playing that worked as far as timing was Sideways. It was a movie about two men on a road trip in the wine country – and apparently somewhat inappropriate. At one scene, I covered the boys’ eyes. It was more embarrassing for me than for them. They do not even remember the movie, but I will never forget what happened right after, in the ladies room. A woman approached me and said, ‘Excuse me, I just want you to know that you are a horrible parent. I cannot believe you took your boys to that movie. I should report you.’ I was completely humiliated. So to all the parents who get it right, I salute you. And to those who might make a bad decision, know you are not alone. Happy Mother’s Day.  [email protected]