Betsy

** What if I came new to this list and said "Okay, my kids are lazy
brats and IF they stop talking back to me**

(continuing hypothetical)

And if I said "Why do you call your kids brats?" and "Couldn't you think
about them in a more sympathetic and affectionate way?" I'd probably be
told that that was a slap in the face and a vicious attack. But,
honestly, I can't think of a more gentle way to say it.

Anyone else is welcome to try. But I think some torqued up and guilty
feeling mom's have to be tip-tip-tippytoed around like a shallowly
buried mine field.

Betsy