Bad idea.
I know on the surface it looks like a great way to make someone be responsible for their decisions, but it’s not. It takes away a woman’s right to choose whether or not she may have a baby.
I know this woman is very clearly unfit to have custody of her children, and it’s a terrible, terrible shame that she continues to breed. BUT I do not want the government to have the right to tell someone they may or may not get pregnant or have a baby. I am okay with the government deciding that it’s in the best interest of the children to be removed from the home.
True responsibility cannot be forced. You cannot force someone to be a responsible parent. You can only teach them the consequences of their irresponsibility and hope that someday they “get it” and until then, they won’t get custody.
The party went well last night. We had a bit of fun wondering if the roof of our little deck cover was going to blow right off in the wind (it didn’t), but otherwise it was a good little gathering. Rob (someone I met at DunDraCon) and his family arrived at about 9:30, having been wandering around the neighborhood for almost half an hour. I felt so bad– I should have sent them directions, since they’ve never been to my house before.
John’s cat Allegro bit me last night while I was pilling him. Not intentionally…. much. He just scraped my finger with his teeth. But it bled, so I washed it, put antiobiotic cream on it, and bandaided it.
Oh, yeah. Rob and family (which includes 2 sons under the age of 15) arrived after Brian and John and I were hot-tubbing in a clothing-optional way. Erm. Right. Hi! Yes, I wore a robe to the front door, and then changed into clothes later. I also startled Brian and John (who were under the water and therefore not very viewable, which is why I did it) by turning on the light to introduce them.
Ahem.
Tonight is the Team in Training kick-off party. Expect to hear much about this from here on out.