Dear Dr. Laura,

Thank you for encouraging mothers to stay at home and raise their children and for reminding them that being a MOTHER is such an important responsibility. Over the past 20 plus years coaching ice skating one on one, I have had the privilege of knowing many great mothers. Just the same I am sad to say I've also known many other mothers with good intentions who seem to have a career with a family "on the side" as I put it. It's been my observation that it is not uncommon for children from families where the mother fits the children into HER schedule and around HER career to often mistakenly refer to ME as "Mommy", "MaMa" or "Mom". This saddens me and I never tell the parents, but I do correct the children. These children are kept "busy" and out of the parents' "way" so the parents can accomplish THEIR goals first and foremost.  These mothers need to be told, "Anyone could do your job, but only YOU can be your child's MOM. Please do so responsibly and know what a blessing it is because before you know it they will be grown and out the door."

Thank you for your work and sharing your insight.

Charlene