Dang, what a bitch. I'm just saying...my mother would never say that.

Nah, it's a pretty accurate description. It's always a carnival with her, I tell you what.

I have absolutely no worries about P-Cow or Teppy's theoretical potential as parents. You are both sane, kind and non-sociopathic, plus you've had plenty of instruction on how not to parent. Which is what a lot of people use to guide them. My parents were okay in most respects, (less so in others) but I definitely have opted to NOT do many of the things my parents did and I'm a better dad for it.

Beyond that, nobody really knows what kind of parent they'll be until they have to do it. It's uncharted territory and you're not prepared for it. You learn it as you go and you change because of it. Having the responsibilities of parenthood will change you so much more than you can imagine before it happens.

Gluten-free beer alternatives.

My mother likes to say that whenever she wondered what to do when raising my brother and me, she would ask herself, "What would my mother do?" and then do the opposite. And I can attest to the fact that she generally made the right choices and is a pretty awesome mom. So I can see how having that example of what NOT to do can actually be useful and instructive.

Also, though, I am all in favor of people who don't want to have kids not having them, so Teppy, please don't take this as me trying to convince you to do something you don't want to do!

Ok, Tep. Although I probably should have said "That was bitchy," instead. Because it totally was, but I might meet your mom sometime. I bet she's fun on a Good Day... Like Vivi in The Ua-Ya sisterhood...I was still glad she was not my mom. Would it be so hard to say "Would you mind if it was just me and your brother this time?" people, man. Tired of my cough.

Ginger, that paper is perfect! And way too expensive.

Must think harder; I think henna would be almost as expensive as the paper, but my, wouldn't it look cool?!

Erin, is there anyone you know who would be good at writing on you? If so, get some black eye shadow, a bottle of makeup sealant (Ben Nye makes a good one), and a fine-tipped brush. (A narrow eyeliner brush from a drug store would work.) The only catch is you'd probably want to shave any hair off the areas you want written on.

There's the old stand-by of Sharpie markers, but they do bleed a little bit, and take a few days to wear off.

I know myself, and I know what lives under my metaphorical bed.

The most honorable of awarenesses, to my way of thinking. (forgive the non-word but 'things to be aware of' didn't have the same ring. language of convenience...I am guilty.)

I have a sharpie 'temporary tattoo' on my left wrist right this moment.

I'm testing out how I like the concept and location.

Steph, my comment about your mother was not meant as a comment on your own abilities to mother, particularly given that you are not interested in having kids. I just meant to say you've already overcome her shadow, even if you still have to grapple with her from time to time.