When the history of guilt is written, parents who refuse their children money will be right up there in the Top Ten.

Never go to a doctor whose office plants have died.

Babies on television never spit up on the Ultrasuede.

We even switched to a newly-formed church across the town that gave one hundred and twenty trading stamps each time we attended. (We now worship a brown and white chicken with a sunburst on its chest.)

Everyone is guilty at one time or another of throwing out questions that beg to be ignored, but mothers seem to have a market on the supply. "Do you want a spanking or do you want to go to bed?" Don't you want to save some of the pizza for your brother?" Wasn't there any change?

It is not until you become a mother that your judgment slowly turns to compassion and understanding.

I got to thinking one day about all those women on the Titanic who passed up dessert at dinner that fateful night.