Comments on: Selfish Parenting

By: Crimson Wife

Crimson Wife — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 00:18:00 +0000

Here via the link on Rational Jenn’s blog.

Interesting post. I do not personally agree with your POV that selfishness is a virtue. But then again, I am a Christian rather than an Objectivist, so I guess that’s to be expected.

By: The Little Things · Objectivist Round Up #88

The Little Things · Objectivist Round Up #88 — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 15:10:21 +0000

[...] Mossoff (that’s me!) presents Selfish Parenting posted at The Little Things, saying, “Can rational selfishness be a guide for making better [...]

By: Amy

Amy — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 19:04:59 +0000

RJ: Good point about the frustration being a clue to sacrifice. It’s just so easy to fall into that trap with parenting.

By: Rational Jenn

Rational Jenn — Sun, 15 Mar 2009 18:49:22 +0000

I think it’s extremely important to be a selfish parent. In addition to modeling for children rational self-interest, it’s a sanity-saver. Some of the things I do that are selfish include going on a weekly Date Night with my husband (critical for having uninterrupted conversations!), setting limits on what I’m willing and able to do for/with them (“I’ll listen to two more songs and then I need to go do my work.”), and modeling my own productivity, parenting & non-parenting. I even have an “Only Mommy Drawer” of office supplies and a “Mommy Flashlight” which only I can use (since they tend to lose flashlights or leave them on).

When I realize that I’m feeling frustrated with the kids or myself, it’s sometimes because I am unwittingly making some kind of sacrifice. A careful examination of the situation will help me align my values better.

I’d write more but it’s not in my self-interest to continue typing one-handed while bouncing the baby one my knee while he’s pulling my hair, so I will stop now. )