On Mother’s Day, my grown kids told me they had chosen the restaurant and expected me to pay for all twelve of them, just like always.

help with her wedding.

Kevin needed help getting back on his feet.

Then came babies, medical bills, moving expenses, new appliances, custody fights, business ideas, summer camps, and holiday presents.

Helen had told herself that mothers gave. That was simply what mothers did.

But somewhere along the way, giving had become expected, and expected had become continue reading …