Wow. Whoa.

Thank you to whomever shared that link to the video. Whoa. That was so effing surreal.

Natalie liked my hair color and said if she's ever in Detroit she'd love for Logan to do her hair.

Also Janet was a very nice woman but perhaps a robot. She had no answers to any of my points and it felt as though I was talking to a brick wall.

I have so much more to say. But! I've gotten some email, not really angry, but since I had about 3 minutes to tell the world what a raging alcoholic I am, I wanted to leave you with this link to the discussion we had after the New York Times piece aired.

It will likely clear up some of the hurt feelings some viewers may have had. (I did not mean you were uncool if you don't drink. Alice is cool and can drink just 4 ounces of beer!)(Last night she had 16 ounces.)(And I had to carry her home.)(Not really.)

Anyway, here you go. I have a city to view.

As always, more later!

Here's the video.

Comments

[Annie B.]

I like that the psychologist kept saying there were other ways of connecting with people and letting off stress but had no examples to offer. Until I hear them, Merlot does it for me. In fact, I just returned from a 2-glass play date!

Melissa, I loved how Meredith's talons came out when she asked about if you would allow a babysitter to drink on the job. The way you handled that I have to wonder if Logan had prepped you for that questions.

[Melissa Note: She didn't offer those examples, because I DID! Also, no Logan did not prepare me for that question because we didn't think she was such an idiot. Nice "Club Mom" representative!]

[Wine Drinking Mama]

Loved the piece. Meredith and that shrink were really on their high horses weren't they?? I'd like to know how long they stayed at home with their kids w/o a nanny to help them out!!

I love to have a wine and I love my son. My friends are the same way, why would we be participating in dangerous activities when we care for our children?? We get together once a week around 4 and have a healthy nutritious meal for our kids as well as a drink!! Margaritas were served at the Mexican night??

I would love to know how many of the people who bash our kind are not sneaking a glass of burbon alone at home every night. At least we know our drinking is social and we are having great friendships as well as quality time with our kids!!!!

I look forward to those crazy night playgroups b/c it makes everyone happy!!! How can a happy relaxed mommy be bad???

Bravo to you and all drinking moms of the world!!!

Cheers!!!

[Shannon K.]

Just wanted to chime in again because I forgot to tell Melissa thanks for taking the heat up there and maintaining your grace. I can imagine once the ridiculous questions started coming it took alot of will power not to roll your eyes at Meredith and interrupt Dr. ladies ridiculous judgemental responses.

I also wanted to add that the piece was edited to fit their slant. They spent almost 3 hours filming us and many of theses points WERE made when they interviewed us, they just chose not to use them. I guess I can see why they had to lie to us, I mean its not like we would sign up to do something that was just meant to judge us. As a reader of Melissa's blog, I had followed the *controversy* surrounding the NYT article and really thought that the Today show was out to do a more pro-mom piece than they did. Guess we learned a lesson.

[metrochic]

After seeing the piece this morning on Today, I immediately searched out your blog. Even though the piece was biased (in the wrong direction, IMO), I was glad to have seen it if only to have found this blog. If we're ever in the same city, the drinks are on me.

[themikestand]

Wow. I didn't go and read the 100+ comments that preceded me, but I'm glad I watched the video before commenting.

First off, I think I should once again roll my eyes at the way media portrays things: "cocktails" at a playdate? What exactly are they trying to suggest? The question on ivillage is ridiculous, if you ask me. And do you think they could have shown MORE wine being poured, or the kid actually TOUCHING the wine bottle when they were describing the juice boxes along side the bottle? Yeesh.

You looked great, and I think you held your ground very well. What the good doctor doesn't seem to realise is that there are plenty of unhealthy ways to enjoy ourselves that also do not involve alcohol. Do you KNOW how much fat is in that pizza? What about the aspar*tame in that diet coke? Yikes! [me rolling my eyes again]

Before I get off my soapbox, let me applaud you once again. Nice work -- I hope you benefit greatly from this, and not only from knowing you made a great international television appearance. Bravo.

Mike (in Canada!)

[jkopftwins]

After *finally* getting to watch your interview link, all I can say is, I agree with Shannon K: I'am so impressed that you resisted the temptation to roll your eyes!

I mean, honey, A GLASS of wine? Are you allowed to have one after the kids are in bed (because, really, my kids yell down they "need me" 4,000 times after lights out, so could I be trusted to walk them to the potty?) What about if DH is watching the kids some Sunday with football on TV and has a beer... can you honestly tell me that would be seen as worthy of attention or that his parental love and responsibility would be questioned.

Then again, I come from an Italian family that used to make its own wine, even during Prohibition, so obviously there's no hope of pulling me back from The Dark Side!

[Peggasus]

Man, I thought I hated Katie Couric, but now I believe I hate Meredith even more. You were ambushed. They had their minds made up before Word One was uttered. I especially liked (hated) that one shot they showed over and over where the little girl appeared to be waving a wine bottle around from her stroller or something. Subliminal much?

But yeah, like everyone above here has said, you did great, looked great, and were great. Yay! For you!

My friends and I did this same thing 18 years ago and, shockingly, perhaps all odds, we all have well-rounded, responsible children to this day. Some of them even drive now, are on honor rolls, hold down jobs, and a few are even in college, despite our horrible influences on them.

Salute!

[Peggasus]

That would be 'against all odds.' You know, like the movie starring Jacqueline Bisset.

[mrsgryphon]

Amen to Sweetney - I was thinking the same thing!

And Melissa - and tips on good wines to serve at my next playdate?!

[Suburban Kamikaze]

Re: My earlier comment. It should have read, "A toast to whoever coined the word "SANCTIMOMMY..."

Sheesh. I guess it was that second bottle of Cote du Rhone we opened at the P.T.A. meeting.

[ShelleyD]

You were awesome but that segment was just infuriating! And I rarely even drink. I completely do not understand the point about the babysitter drinking either. I'm paying someone to watch my kid so no, I don't want her drinking and I don't want her on the computer like I am right now either. Does that mean I can never go on the computer when my child is at home either? I really can't stand Meredith Viera either. I would have brought up all the fathers that come home and have a drink every day after work. Is that ok?

[Alana]

I can't wait for the inevitable "Moms Gone Wild" dvd! Whoohoo!

What poppycock. How you kept your poise and resisted walking right off that set in your sassy boots I'll never know. I have seriously been laughing about those nincompoops all day and so happy that you were the ambassador for reasonable moms everywhere. Thank you.

[RespectRx]

Melissa, You were very well-spoken! Proud to know you by way of the Net. I think the deeper issue of women-on-women judgement was a good thing for you/the woman on the taped segment to hone in on. (PS: Are you really afraid of hugs and talking on the phone? You're so confident!) xoxo

[veg4me]

When is the Today Show running a segment on moms who smoke cigarettes around their kids?

I'm not a drinker, therefore I didn't drink at playgroup, but I would rather hang out with moms who had a drink occasionally vs. the mom who smokes.

[kalisah]

Girl, you looked FABULOUS! (Did they do your makeup for you? I always wondered if the Today show did your makeup for you.)I do media training for a living and, in my professional opinion, you did a very nice job!

[fridas]

I've never commented on a blog before, but I just wanted to say I saw you this morning and you were awesome. That Dr. Janet woman was a serious chafe. I wanted to pinch her head off when she was talking about mothers always having to be sober so they could constantly "multi-task." My husband only "multi-tasks" while he's at work, and I'm expected to do it 24 hours a day? I totally deserve my glass of wine at the end of the day -- I wish you lived in my town! (And, seriously, who would ever want to be friends with that Dr. Janet? Too bad she's such a teetotaler, she seemed like she could really benefit from a drink or ten. If you hadn't been on with her I would have turned her off, I need that judgment in my life like I need a hole in the head.)

[ThisMom]

Melissa,

I have been reading for almost three years, but this is my first comment. First-you looked amazing, you blew my mind with how you dealt with those two! Way to go! And, second. I wonder what they would say about me if they had heard what I growled at the TV about midway through the segment. It went a little something like this..."f*cking f*ckers". No, I couldn't come up with anything better. Then, I went and drank a beer. At 8:30 in the morning. Now what?

Seriously, you did an amazing job. So proud.

[Lori]

Hi Melissa,
Wow - you were a rock and you were great. I have media trained clients in my job, and your composure was truly impressive. A lot of readers commented on this "ambush". While I agree that the segment was biased in the opposing party's favor, it was pretty much what I expected from Today. They do things for the ratings, and as a corporate entity. of course are going to side with the safe, "responsible" argument. Never mind that most of our parents raised us with bridge parties and alcohol in sight - it just wasn't an issue then. Not that it wasn't talked about, I just don't think anyone cared. Now, it has become a hot topic, and Today simply jumped on the bandwagon to stir the pot and increase their viewership.

I think it was incredibly brave of you to go on there, and you held yourself so well. Congratulations.

[Kymba]

I completely agree with Lori above, the segment was clearly biased but you carried yourself well and presented your argument clearly and absolutely countered each of Dr. Mom's points credibly and logically. NBC clearly is riding the tide of public opinion.

And you looked beautiful; you totally rocked your necklace. Superhero indeed. Your family must be so proud!

ps - I'm sure a quick review of the archives will reveal, but which Superhero necklace is that? Love the colors.

[A Mommy Story]

Melissa, I just saw the clip, and you did a fabulous job defending your position. And I say "defending", because it really felt like they were trying to set you up as the bad mom. You made great points, points that Dr. Janet did nothing to refute. (Seriously, she was a robot.)

My opinion on the topic has always been that the real issue is that puritan Americans don't understand the meaning of moderation, or that moms can be anything less than saintly, much less human. Showing our kids moderation, being relaxed around our kids - those are positive traits to demonstrate.

And while, like you, I roll my eyes at my daughter, watching this segment also made me roll my eyes at Meredith and mutter some child-unfriendly phrases about the Today show.

You really did a great job - far braver than I could be.

[formertxmama]

Melissa--saw you on the Today show and had to check out your blog. Three cheers for calling out how mothers judge each other! You can count me as a new regular reader.

[Suebob Davis]

Has anyone mentioned that you looked totally pretty? With the hair and the boots...oh, they have? Well, I agree.

They HAD to have Doctor Stick-Up-the-Hooha on, otherwise it wouldn't have been Responsible Journalism. But I LOVED how she kept saying "We need to find healthy ways..." as opposed to what, Doc - the drunken unhealthy ways of women who DARE TO DRINK WINE??

You rock, as usual.

[Karen Sugarpants]

You got OWNED, Melissa. I don't mean that as a bad thing towards YOU at all. But holy slanted interview. Typical Meredith.
I would be more worried about moms who drink alone in excess, than I would about a few friends hanging out and having one drink together. PULL-EZE.
Oh and nice camera work with the drinks in the foreground and the kids in the background. Slanted slanted slanted.

[Susanm]

Melissa, you looked great AND it was really wild to hear your real voice after all this time.
I think they all forgot, WINE is a food and completely legal- sheeesh!

[maiareads]

Dr Janet needs a good stiff one I say, and not the carrot up her butt!

Great job, awesome composure, you did good and looked fab :)

[Kristen]

This was ridiculous; I'm still shocked at how overly slanted the whole thing was. I've started several comments but finally just posted my long-winded thoughts here:

http://homeonthefringe.blogspot.com/2007/01/its-not-about-drinking-meredith.html

[Flaneuse De Vivre]

Congrats on a difficult job well done. You looked gorgeous and handled the interview with such charm and grace. That was a tough interview to handle--I saw it live but watched it again with my husband on the link above an am still horrified at how slanted and right wing it was. Frankly, I expected MORE from the Today show.

I personally do not understand this puritan, self-denying culture that most inhabitants of the United States aspire to; where a glass or two of wine with lunch labels one an "addict." I suppose it is just as well. I am moving back to Germany in a few weeks and will drink to that.

[Chookooloonks]

you were AMAZING. Beautifully done. I am ridiculously proud of you, as if it's even my place.

Bravo.

K.

[Missy]

I thought it was a little ridiculous that the pitted a freaking PhD psychologist against a mom.

You looked very nice and sounded very articulate. Good job!

[Marilyn]

I don't often comment, simply because I'm too lazy to sign into Typepad (hence my blog name, "Slackermama"). I had to today. I thought you were very unfairly ambushed. You against a doctor? Seriously? I mean, you're probably a good deal more grounded than she is, especially on this subject but what message does it say to the public pitting a doctor against a stay at home mom? That's what really chapped my hide.

That said, you held yours and your boots looked absolutely fabulous. I'm off to enjoy an appletini. And the kids aren't even in bed yet!

[Prissy]

Melissa, I agree with the comments about you being ambushed. I was disgusted when Meredith and the "Doctor" exchanged a knowing look at one point in the interview. The holier than thou are going to think this was great, but all they succeeded in was showing what judgmental bitches they were. You were sweet, relaxed and well-spoken. I don't think they were counting on that. I guess they thought the slurring drunk mom/blog writer would show up, fall down and show the whole world those "Man Saving Panties" she writes about to reinforce what they were saying. You're great and you did look fabulous!

[anne nahm]

This just gets me all riled up again - this very slanted interview underlines the current trend of drive-by mommying. The best mom these days is the mom who does nothing so that no one can accuse her of doing anything wrong. I think that parenting under the fear of some one else calling you out and attacking is the worst sort of modeling a parent can do.

I wrote about it before when you were talking about this issue:

http://annenahm.com/?p=210

But I'll say it again: The suckitude of our generations of mothers is that we are afraid to try anything because the response is so viscious if we are caught doing something someone else thinks might be detrimental to our kids. Our kids are living in little egg crates as a result. It sucks!

[Y]

My favorite part? Besides the dirty look you gave at the end of the interview?

That you used "air quotes."

haha. haha.

[JP]

This is such a hot-button for me...and mostly because it's just one more case of women (mothers) judging other women (mothers.) You see it everwhere and it's just so pathetic. When you should have a group of women, building one another up, being supportive of eachother, etc...instead you have ridiculous attacks on those that try to just live the best they can and do what they feel is best for themselves and their family. I must be gearing up to win the worst mother of the year award seeing as though I work outside the home, I drink at playdates (gasp!) AND I don't think I've ever made any sort of homemade treat to bring to school for any sort of event.

I am headed straight to mommy-hell.

Melissa, you looked and sounded amazing. I'm very impressed with the way you presented your side and held your own against those two. So impressed, in fact, that I de-lurked and have now posted an entire book here with this comment! You did great and I hope you can enjoy the city a little bit while you're there.

[brandi]

Delurking. It turns out I stumbled upon the best playgroup 6 months ago. There are almost 150 members, so I can't speak for every one of them but I have made a great group of friends through it. Thanks to your segment on the Today show (which I missed, so I'm running to see the video after this), it turns out we have so much more in common than I thought. It was all the talk at today's playgroup, and we all agree with your point of view. We're definitely going to be serving cocktails the next time we get together. I just wish I'd have turned them on to you sooner!

[bobthedog]

dude. a couple of months ago my ex threatened to take me to court and fight for full custody of our child because on the weekends when he has care of the small child - i liked to kick back and hit some bars with my friends. and its not that i drink a lot any more these days because anyone will tell you that looking after a three year old with a hangover is a special kind of hell - it was just the fact that i was out there, having a few drinks and trying to retain a small slice of my social life - that apparently showed that i was an irresponsible parent. because good parents stay at home, sober, all the time, even when they don't have to.

the thing that annoys me MOST about that is that my ex is a habitual drug user. he deals to his friends and their friends and smokes up at least once a day - including days when he has the small child in his care. not in FRONT of him mind you - but as far as i'm concerned, having a joint for lunch is far worse than having a wine or two with a light snack. only, because of the fact that the small child never sees this happening, i'm unable to take any kind of action. because by hiding his habit, the ex is a 'responsible drug user'.

dontcha know, addicts make heaps better parents than people who enjoy the occasional drink while free of the responsibility of looking after their offspring for an evening?

the whole thing makes me mad. they're taking a tiny issue and blowing it out of proportion and ignoring bigger, more important issues that people should be paying attention. and melissa, you were great - i wish i had your grace and control - i would have been mad as hell in three seconds flat, all het up and shooting my mouth off. you were polite and calm and made those other two look like the bullies they really are. and i applaud you for standing up for all of us who don't think its wrong to have the occasional drink in front of our kids. you rock!

[Sue]

WOW! Great job! You did awesome.

[Nancy]

Melissa, congratulations on your interview. I just watched the clip and you did a fabulous job. I agree with the other commenters that you held your own with grace and poise in a situation that obviously seemed like a set-up to criticize a certain parenting philosophy.

If I make it to BlogHer again this year, I am so buying you a drink. :-)

[thesilentk]

Melissa- I love that you wore your superhero necklace!

How cool it is to see you on TV.

[Susan]

Kudos to you for keeping your cool while those holier-than-thou talking heads tried to question your mothering abilities. Not that you didn't do a good job, but you never had a chance with those two. They'd have spewed the same rhetoric no matter who was sitting in your seat. That wasn't a discussion, it was an intervention. I've never commented here before, but I kept seeing links to the video and blogs about your show, and now I'm all pissy about this topic -- and I don't even have kids! But, let me say here and now, when I do, I will not be afraid to have a beer once in a blue moon. People are freakin' nuts.

[sillyme]

oh good god. she DID compare you to a babysitter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

listen sister, we have a 3 martini playdate regularly at my house in fashionable ferndale. you are welcome here any time. maybe we can take some video of the kids stalking us with kitchen knives, and loading the guns while we are passed out from our glass of shiraz and goat cheese salads.....

keep it up, we have got your back.

you looked fucking amazing, by the way.

rachel

[angelabikes]

Okay, this may have already been said, so forgive the repetition. Ms. Taylor suggests at one point that we are always "modeling for our children" and that we need to "teach them appropriate ways to communicate and to get together and it doesn't have to be around a martini." I believe that that is exactly what you are doing - you are modeling responsible adult behavior. Jeeze - if they don't see you drinking responsibly, then perhaps the binge drinkning buddies in high school will look normal to them.

There are many many many ways to be social - our kids see us being social at the bank, the grocery store, at dinner with our partners, with our friends over coffee. I see nothing wrong with being social with a glass of wine shared with friends in front of my kids.

As my good friend would say, they can fuck right off.

[Anna]

I just watched the clip with my husband and had to email our support. You did a great job, looked great, and you represented OUR point of view. Personally, being halfway through my second pregnancy and therefore on about month five of total abstinence, I am looking forward to the summer Corona and blender drink season after this baby's born. But, I'll make sure to lock myself in a closet, well away from my children, before drinking. Because THAT'S healthy.

[Mimimom]

Lots of comments before mine, but I just wanted to give you another voice of support! I knew I was in the right playgroup when the babies were about 6 months old, everyone was having a difficult week, and the playgroup host opened a bottle of champagne and we had mimosas - at 10:30 in the morning! And I'm looking forward to the Today show segment about dads who open a beer while watching their kids' soccer games. Something tells me it will be a long wait.
By the way, I grew up NEVER seeing my parents drink. (Dad is a recovering alcoholic, mom just doesn't drink.) And I went wild in college, like everyone else if not more so. Now I'm a social drinker - I don't get drunk. And I doubt that seeing me drink moderately will drive my daughter to become a raging alcoholic.

[Kelly]

Ok, had to quit reading the comments, as everyone was saying what I want to say. NOT gonna stop me!
Thanks, Maggy, for bringing up my first note: Europe must find us hilarious (when not outraged at our international actions). When I was in Ireland, at a neighborhood pub, there were all these kids everywhere. Like later in the evening! With beer on all tables!
My other thought (when I could think past those hawt boots and the v. sexy Michigan dulcet tones) was hey! We always got together at family parties with boozin adults all over the durn place.
Thirdly, my dad taught me how to make his martinis when I could see over the top of the bar--eye level to the drink. I think his idea, besides convenience was that I could finally see the correct ratio for gin to vermouth, and if I took a sip, my puckered face would be evidence. Didn't touch the stuff again for years.
I'm in my 30's and I babysit. I drink with the parents when they offer me one (or two) when they get home. Are we violating some morals here? Pleez.
Biggest point ever is that not a single f-in mention was made of the dads. So sick of this sexist bullshit.

Keep up the good work. Loved your eloquence in the face of something potentially messy. Knowing that you indeed do no wrong is a powerful thing, isn't it? Go CA moms! You all did a great lead-in, no matter the subliminals-that-weren't.

[Kelly]

Ok, had to quit reading the comments, as everyone was saying what I want to say. NOT gonna stop me!
Thanks, Maggy, for bringing up my first note: Europe must find us hilarious (when not outraged at our international actions). When I was in Ireland, at a neighborhood pub, there were all these kids everywhere. Like later in the evening! With beer on all tables!
My other thought (when I could think past those hawt boots and the v. sexy Michigan dulcet tones) was hey! We always got together at family parties with boozin adults all over the durn place.
Thirdly, my dad taught me how to make his martinis when I could see over the top of the bar--eye level to the drink. I think his idea, besides convenience was that I could finally see the correct ratio for gin to vermouth, and if I took a sip, my puckered face would be evidence. Didn't touch the stuff again for years.
I'm in my 30's and I babysit. I drink with the parents when they offer me one (or two) when they get home. Are we violating some morals here? Pleez.
Biggest point ever is that not a single f-in mention was made of the dads. So sick of this sexist bullshit.

Keep up the good work. Loved your eloquence in the face of something potentially messy. Knowing that you indeed do no wrong is a powerful thing, isn't it? Go CA moms! You all did a great lead-in, no matter the subliminals-that-weren't.

[Crazydazymom]

Oh my - you rocked. I'm probably repeating what others have said, but boots and necklace totally hot. Anyway - I just had a playdate yesterday and we were all drinking wine and having a great time, bonding, helping each other, validating, etc. I cannot believe how judgmental Meredith and Dr. Bitch were. Babysitter???? Holy Crap! And Melissa, the look you shot them at the end - AWESOME!!!! I heart you - read you everyday - thank God there are mommies like you! You are doing awesome! Keep up your fabulous work, your fabulous blog, your fabulous mothering, your fabulous self. :)

[Melissa]

Created a TypeKey account just so I could add to the list of WOW!

You looked poised, gracious, and more than a little angry. You allowed your reaction (I'm sure a tempered reaction) to the babysitter comparison to show on your face. The world needed to see how a "mom of two" feels when compared to a babysitter on national TV.

Good job!

Re: the "issue" or controversy about drinking around your kids...eh. I'll join the chorus of shrugging while I balance my oversized wine glass.

[Danielle]

OK first, this is the first day that I've ever read your blog and I'm so totally adding you to my list to read everyday now. If your blog is anything like you were on TV, well you are super cool.

Second, I'm so pissed about that video clip that I actually had to comment to someone who I had never read their blog before. I actually had to make a typepad or whatever it is account to do so.

Third. you rocked. They were totally trying to make it sound like all you do or other moms that do this do are hang around and get drunk with their kids a few feet away. I'm sorry that's not the point. So very far from the point.

yes it would be wrong to get trashed in front of your kid when you are in charge of their safety. I don't care if you do it at home by yourself or at a friends house but like you said. You know your own limits. I'm an extreme light weight. One drink and I would be too impaired to be the caretaker. I know this and I only drink when other adults are about. Just the same way that others do not get trashed off of one drink and know their limits.

This is crazy.

You did a great job of not sounding like a nut job and not sounding whiny and defensive either. They just don't get it.

I'll try to stop being pissed for now.

[jennifer]

I found you through Chris, and I remember reading something about this a few months back, but had completely forgotten about it, that is how ridiculous this issue (if that is what they insist on calling it) is to me.

First I will say how gutsy you are to put yourself out there for the rest of us free-thinking adult moms. Thank you for being so brave and genuine on national TV! When women come out and call it like it is, they open doors for everyone else.

Second I will say that I could not agree more with your view of this non-issue, that drinking is one of the many ways we socialize and relax, and that it is completely different from a babysitter drinking for precisely that reason. Like you said, the babysitter is working, NOT socializing and relaxing.

Third thing. You were totally on the ball when you pointed out that you were drinking to have a drink and not to get drunk. I live in Europe, where that is a concept that is fully understood and accepted and no one questions parents out drinking with their children present. One day those children will be adults who will drink, and if they've been around responsible drinkers all their lives, they will grow up to be responsible drinkers themselves.

Last thing. Where is all the criticism surrounding men who drink beer IN FRONT OF THEIR IMPRESSIONABLE CHILDREN???? AND EAT POTATO CHIPS ON THE COUCH! THE CONSUMPTION OF ALCOHOL! THE POOR EATING HABITS! GETTING GREASY CRUMBS ON THE CARPET! Seriously. Why isn't that an issue? Oh yeah, now I remember. Because they're men. So it's okay.

[Meredith]

Melissa,

You were excellent. You were real. And you were the voice of reason amidst a sea of parental correctness.

[Lisa W.]

I thought you portrayed your feelings well and you were correct in what you said about other "mommies" trying voraciously to point out all that is wrong with other mommies' parenting styles. pshaw.

So, are you going to change the name of the blog now...Subourbon Bliss? Now that would be funny.

[holly]

Ugh, you could tell from the music used during the video segment that this was going to be a one-sided thing.

Why is it okay for my husband to have a beer with the other daddies at a cookout or gathering, but a cocktail is a big no-no for me?

Puh-leez, I'm sure Meredith Viera goes right home and has a big glass of wine herself. Her kids may see her do it, but the nanny/housekeeper/paid help is there to shuffle them off to another room.

[Angel]

Sheesh, I have to take a blogging break for health reasons and look at all the hubbub I missed!

Melissa, you are a gorgeous mom, and I think you rock for going on TV.

I wonder what these "professionals" would say about a mom like me who has to be on painkillers for my chronic illnesses, pretty much on a daily basis? Or moms who have to be on any medication, period (::also raising hand::) If I can parent on vicodin, I definitely think you can be a damn fine parent on one "Momtini".

Did I mention how much you rock? :)