You Know You're a Failure as a Mother When . . .

Did you catch this little piece in the news today?

MILWAUKEE (AP) — Police in Wisconsin say a woman celebrated her birthday by helping her teenage son rob two gas stations.

Officers in the Milwaukee suburb of Greenfield say the 37-year-old woman acted as the getaway driver while her 17-year-old son robbed the stations at gunpoint.

Authorities say the pair were in custody Wednesday awaiting charges. Their names were not released.

Police say the teen was visiting from Chicago for his mother’s birthday.

And they say the woman’s 13-month-old daughter and two boys ages 10 and 14 rode along during the robberies in Greenfield and Milwaukee. Greenfield police Deputy Inspector Bradley Wentlandt says the younger children have been turned over to child welfare.

Let's just identify all fo the things wrong in this scenario shall we  . . .

First mistake - one should celebrate their birthday with cake and gifts. Committing a felony should not be  a part of the happy day. Tears are OK if it is a significant birthday and you struggle with aging. Or if a loved one forgets. Felony  . . . .?  Never a suitable celebratory activity.

Never.

Mind you, I always have been a tad weird.

Second mistake. . . . Now in fairness, I must confess to not having children. However, I'm pretty sure that good parents try and show their offspring that committing criminal activities is a very BAD thing. Good parents do NOT serve as a getaway driver and look-out while teen-aged son is in the bank robbing it.

Remember though, I don't have kids so what would I know?

Third mistake (closely related to # 2) . . . So it's your birthday. You and your son lose all sense of right and wrong and decide to celebrate with a festive bank robbery. You plan it out, you load up the family fire arms, you gas up the family sedan . . then you strap in your 13 month old baby girl!?!!?? Let's go all the way and load your other children into the car prior to heading to the bank.

I guess we should be happy, mom could have abandoned them in the trailer prior to heading off to the bank. Good mother.

Footnote - yes, I truly do understand that this story is a sad testament to our society and not a laughing matter. I understand that there is likely far more going on than was shared in the article but I won't make assumptions based upon common prejudices. Having said all of that . . . get over yourself and smile at the absurdity of it all!

Comments

[Eden]

OMG, Jerry. I believe in the saying that the family that does things together stays together, but this takes it to another level!

She has that many kids???And the youngest is only 13 months old? Why do people not know when they have reached their level of incompetence? (know I have reached mine a long time ago... LOL.)

Seriously, I am so saddened by situations like these. I always wonder what scenarios my students come from as I meet them for the first time every school year opening.. Mine is in a week and a half.

[Jerry]

That is how I was Eden - saddened for the kids and knowing the future that was likely in store for them but smiling at the absurd nature of it all. Why is it that the mothers who seem to have so many kids are generally the ones least able to raise them?

[sandrac]

This is a kind of absurd extension of the sort of parenting style where the adults want to be friends with the kids. I don't have children, so I'm certainly no expert. But I've always had the sense that parents that want to be buddies with the kids aren't doing them any favours.

[Jerry]

Sandra - I don't think that you even need kids to know that that type of parenting is just plain wrong! Kids have lots of parents but need just a few *smile* really good parents!

[Gail Hecko]

Article: simply awful
Your commentary: priceless

[Jerry]

Gee Gail . . . that sounds like a commercial for something . . . .

[katie]

Well, I certainly hope that she at least put the baby in a proper car seat in the backseat of the car, (she says, huffily)
Some standards just have to be maintained!
Do I still have to admit to being from Wisconsin?

[Jerry]

I am sure that not everyone form Wisconsin is like this sweetheart! *smile*