How far can you go as a mother?

This one hits home for me. Just the other day when I was working ( I work in a retail/grocery store) and I noticed a family of 4 come down my aisle and stuff some noodles - a can of tomatoes - rice - 2 cans of soup - rice a roni 1 box - and a can of spagetti sauce in the ladies purse. I went to call security and they came and to them up to the office. After a lengthy discussion and they released them it was time for me to go home and I saw them walking out of the store. I then noticed that each one of their children did not have new clothing or shoes and the lady looked as if she had not eaten in a few days as well as the man. It hit me hard and so I walked over to them and asked if I may help them out just this once. We talked about life and it so happens that the man had lost his job a month before and had not found another job and he did not want his wife to support them. They were down on their luck as I have been before. I told them that we were going back into the store and get some groceries for their family as well as a set of clothing for them. I receive a bonus check every 6 months that covered their purchases. They said that the manager would not allow them back in there. I marched right in his office and told him what went down and what I was going to do. He was a bit hesident but let me do it anyways. I took them around the whole store and they each bought an outfit and pair of shoes plus groceries for a week or two. Then as we were leaving I asked where their car was and they said that they had walked to the store and so I gave them a ride home. Their home was not in the best part of town but it was all they could afford. I helped take in their groceries and while we were talking about getting them some help from the churches and aid offices the little girl age 3 came out of the bedroom with her outfit on and proudly announced " mommy I be a princess" gave me a hug and said she loved me and that I was her angel. I teared up as I am now as I recall what happened. I went over to their home yesterday to see how they were doing and the father was on his way to an interview at a gas station and I noticed that he was wearing the clothing I had bought for him. I sure hope he gets the job as they are a very special family. Hugs

i would do all that i can to feed and cloth my girl.except murder of course.you know the stomach can wait when it's hungered so my baby can't wait till i find a job she needs food right in this moment.of course i defend her in front of anyone even in front of her father.also are moments when she gets me nervous and then i'm yelling at her but i love her much i don't know if this love is good for her i don't know if i'm wrong sometimes.certainly i didn't follow a school of parenting it's all about intuition and your own conception to life

As a mother i do not want my children to go hungry i remember too well what it was as a child not to have very much at all one set of clothes maybe a couple of meals a day of which one was bread and milk if there was any .Today i have four of my five children left and my husband is a great provider for all of us .I too do what i can to help out by looking after others childrens it all helps and by doing that my children do have a comfortable life . But if things were different i think i would do almost anything to make sure they were well cared for as to what extent that would be i just do not know .

That would be the scariest thing i imagine if ever i will be in that point as a mother.Im a single parent of 2 kids both boys and i always do what is the best for them.Education,clothes,shelter and foods.Though i experienced a lot of hardshps as a mother an provider to my kids,but i am lucky because i got family who is always there to help me in any means.I think on doing that situation and decision,but God is good.He didnt allow that to me to do it.God provides and as long as you know how to work hard and do the the best as you can,im sure,God will do the rest.Now, i am fine and i am working in an office...Accounting firm that my sister owned...Since she is a Certified Public Accountant...

It is a very difficult environment, as far as know mothers could go any extend.But few are able do so.thanks for bringing such a subject for discussion.

I have 2 kids 28 and 25years old. Leat them learn how to get the food not how to eat it.

I grew up in a really bad situation myself, and I think it's affected a lot of my views on parenting. My son is the most precious thing in the entire world to me, and I would rather do anything than see him go through some of the things that I had to go through, like being hungry, abused, homeless. However, there are many views on what is enough! I know many parents who feel they have to push themselves way too hard so that their kids can have everything they want, or can live life completely worry-free. But those kids that I know who have parents like that aren't very independant, and often don't want to provide for themselves even when they can. So I hope that I can both provide well for my child and teach him to provide well for himself as well. I want him to have enough, and if he were hungry I would do anything to feed him, or to see that he goes to school, or all those types of things. But I'm perfectly happy also with planning things so that he does have to do a little work of his own in order to get through life as well.

i think being a mom has no limit. but, i wouldn't steal, hurt, or kill anyone just so i could feed my kids. i think i'd rather go beg for food. above all i'd find a decent job even at a minimal fee.

I would go as far as I needed to go in order to feed and clothe my son. If I was unable to help him then I would go asking for help, even though it may be embarassing on my part, I would do it. I would not steal or kill someone for food or clothing or even shelter, even though I may be desperate I just don't think I have that in me to do that.

My children were straving and my husband went to a fast food restaurant and begged them for a couple of hamburgers for my children. I try to do the best for my children and I almost go way too far. I am busting my hump so I can provide for my children, but at a price. I have to work at night so I sleep during the day and I miss out on spending time with them. I would steal just so my children could eat. I would break the law so my children would have something in their stomachs. I would not go as far as murder unless the person hurt one of my children.

I certainly wouldn't want to judge anyone for why they would do something illegal in order to provide for their kids but I would hope it would be an extreme situation. I have worked very hard and gone without personal extras for myself in order to see to it that my children had what they needed. I have not been able to give them alot of the extras that they would have liked and I would have loved to give them. For those things they knew they had to earn some money on their own. I would like to think that if nothing else, I have set for them a good example. I have been in some very tight spots financially and have been very blessed to have family and friends that have helped me through. Now that times are somewhat better, I try to pass that kindness on to others that I see needing a little helping hand when I'm able to. Even the smallest kind gesture can mean the world to someone struggling to get by. I would hate to see any parent steal and risk getting thrown in jail or be slapped with a huge fine that further compromises their family. I am very greatful to have not been in a spot that i have had to make such a decision.