Where I talked on the phone, to the public, while hugging strangers*

WJR Interview on the Paul W. Smith show this morning. I can't believe we're STILL discussing the simple fact that you can love your kids and still be frustrated by them some of the time.

(Thanks Logan for finding it for me!)

*I didn't really hug strangers but to make it as awkward as possible I should have.

Comments

[Lisa]

Thanks for sharing, Melissa - you sounded great!

[emilie]

how un-awkward can you get? you sounded clear and confident and unapologetic. good work!

[greyfavorite]

"I can't believe we're STILL discussing the simple fact that you can love your kids and still be frustrated by them some of the time."

I think every mom in America just exhaled.

[chatty cricket]

Show me a parent who has nothing but 100% positive things to say about their child(ren) 100% of the time and I will show you a LIAR.

Or someone on Valium. And wine. And maybe some E.

[Ree]

Um. Hi. So, we seem to travel in the same-ish blogosphere circles, and yet I just found out that we were probably neighbors in the not-so-distant past.

And I can tell you, that one of the greatest days in my life was the day I moved my son into the university dorm. Of course I miss him madly - on an hourly basis, but oh mah holy hell - I dare anyone to live through the teenage years and NOT want a very large vodka some days.

[Cincy]

Oh, lordy, Ree. I don't even drink Vodka and they make me want to drink Vodka. College (next Fall)--so near and yet so far away.

Melissa--you sounded great! Way to go!

[fightinghypocrisy]

I saw the news about your upcoming show in msnbc with the woman who crawled out from the sewer.

Couldn't help remembering what she wrote about your msnbc video years ago. I found this from google cache.

http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:HP0El84kmfsJ:www.pooponpeeps.com/index.php/2007/01/warning-warning-will-rogers-man-saving-panties-needed-asap/+pooponpeeps+Danger,+Danger+Will+Robinson,+man+saving+panties+needed+A.S.A.P.&cd=1&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=au&client=safari

Perhaps you could point out this to the producers of the show and ask them how it justifies as saving your children?

Danger, Danger Will Robinson, man saving panties needed A.S.A.P.

by Chickenliver | January 27th, 2007

Again, blogging celeb mommies sharing their dirty laundry, and getting on TV too. So I read this article and watched the video. Now she’s writting entries and trash talking to Meredith Viera…’cause she’s drwunk dwamn it and sheesss gots something to say. I have to say that I’ve read Melissa and moderation isn’t something that happens around her house or at least that‘s what come across to me when I have read her entries. Her blog is filled with stories of getting drunk, even her masthead is a pacifier in a martini glass. Half her pictures of her friends include a drink glass in her hand. Every holiday, family function where she ether goes to their house or they come to hers…there’s pictures of her holding a bottle of beer or other spirits.Maybe if they would have talked to someone who doesn’t come across as a lush on her blog I’d take her more seriously.Lastly I have to add this picture made me so, so sad for what you’re doing to your daughter, and, Melissa you have a face for radio.

[Erika]

Wow, that's the first time I'd actually read something from chickenliver. She certainly had a way with words, didn't she! Lovely, really lovely.

[Jill]

I love this interview... it's the reason I started reading your blog almost 6 years ago when my son was born - no one else was talking about how hard motherhood was!

[Melissa Summers]

I'm having real difficulty finding her stuff from 2007-early 2008 before she decided to switch her "voice" to simply, "defending children" from the nasty personal attacks she lobbed constantly.

How is insulting my face "sticking up for kids"?

MSNBC isn't going to want to touch that woman with a 10 foot pole.

[christy]

My in-laws are the same way. I think they genuinely believe if you express anything but SUPER GLOWING WONDERFULNESS about parenting AT ALL TIMES it makes you a bad person or something. You aren't even allowed to admit out loud that you sometimes need a break or would like to have some time to yourself. It just isn't in their vocabulary.

I have taken to feeling sorry for them for being so repressed.

[Erin]

Sounded awesome! Paul W is a nice guy to have interview you.

[Jessie]

What a nice interview. Great job!

[Kelly H]

What's so bad about drinking and being a parent any way? I mean, as long as you're not someone that shows up on that A & E show Intervention, right? Seriously. It's called a COPING MECHANISM. Or having an ADULT GOOD TIME. We are allowed to do both! Even at one time!

Great interview - keep rockin' it girl!

[RebeccaLand]

Girl, your blog was my gateway blogs/drugs 5 years ago that helped me, lady/mom, make it through some really dark times. Our situations are polar opposites, but your voice still hits a cord with me and for this all I can do/say is a big thank you.

[RebeccaLand]

Also, all I can say is sorry for the BAD grammar.

[Katie]

Just a personal note: You're a beautiful person and a wonderful mother. High School drama in the blogoshere is just a stepping stone, something that most of the bigger name mommy-bloggers need to deal with. I give you a huge kudos for taking everything the adult way.

[valarie]

Melissa - I was extremely impressed with how you handled yourself! You sounded smart, clear and direct, but still had that cutie girl giggle/laugh thing happening.
Freakin' good job!!!!

[RebeccaLand]

As a divorced/single parent working outside the home mom, I say to all, as per quoting Melissa's received email quote/twitter, "there are a million right ways to be a mother and only a handful of ways to do it wrong" as a motto and saying to those who sit in judgment take a moment or 10 to think.