posted on bostonglobe.com
At the age of 8 and 6, my children, Mélanie and Billy, were lucky enough to have a bathroom just for the two of them. At some point, my brain says to itself: Why am I cleaning this? If they’re old enough to use it themselves, they’re old enough to clean it. It’s time for lessons from naughty mom. There were weekly negotiations over who would do what and incredible feats of engineering to see how high a mountain of trash they could build before they were forced to empty the wastebasket. Later, in grad school, Mel and her new roommates discussed chores. Both were from families that employed maids and neither knew how to clean. Like mother, like daughter – Mel quickly introduced them to the business side of a toilet brush.
Sue Zile
North Kingstown, Rhode Island
Guilty of being charged for some of that, and I’m paying the price now. I emphasized independence and agency for my children (now 19): they walked to school alone at age 8, even traversing busy streets (I got the side eye d other parents). They flew alone as young teenagers. They started working at age 14. They pay for all their personal expenses, computers and books at university. But – the housework was a failure. They never did much with it and I was too tired to bear supervising them. They are both messy now and when they come home from college they do very little, even when I ask them. It’s frustrating.
Alpha and Omega
posted on bostonglobe.com
Letter of the law
Thanks for posting this Connections by Phil Primack (“My Soviet-Era Pen Pal”, May 15). It brought back memories of the excitement attached to receiving letters from abroad. Those of us who had pen pals usually had more than one, and we dreamed of visiting them or having them visit us. No one I know has ever traveled to visit their pen pals, so Primack’s story is unique. The friendship of the two boys came across as very real and also very special. Learning the reason for the end of the letters was sad, but understandable as we see it through the prism of the story.
PenBookSpirit
posted on bostonglobe.com
Impossible mission?
In Charlie Baker’s “On Bipartisanship and Building Trust” (Perspective, May 22), he mentions “that it is of critical importance that…government continue to get things done for the benefit of the people”, but undermines then his argument citing the US Rescue Plan Act of 2021 as an opportunity for future state and local bipartisanship. Not a single Republican voted to pass this much-needed legislation. If Baker had referenced the US bailout to call for his own party’s abdication of bipartisanship, or to urge Republicans to work with Democrats to pass grassroots legislation (e.g., gun control, choice reproductive rights, the right to vote), then its mention would make sense. Championing its cast as a way to foster bipartisanship proves dishonest at best, and gaslighting at worst. Americans have only one party supporting the government’s efforts to serve and protect its citizens, and it’s not the GOP.
Sarah Pascal
Somerville
This is what we need from our political leaders. Unfortunately, Washington, DC has become the equivalent of trench warfare, with each side firing daily mortar rounds and the occasional full assault. Stop voting for extreme primary candidates. Reward bipartisanship with re-election even if you don’t agree with all of the politician’s votes.
ZenQuant
posted on bostonglobe.com
It is telling that Baker has no place in today’s Republican Party – either within or [outside of] Massachusetts.
David Odland
Peterborough, New Hampshire
I used to subscribe to the ideas that Baker had adopted in his Perspective. I think in general it is best to listen to all parties and compromise will bring the best solution. However, this relies on both parties acting in good faith and agreeing that a problem exists and needs to be resolved. What do we do when a party is ready to do anything to keep power? When a party actively tries to limit people’s ability to vote? I don’t like democrats, but they’re not actively trying to ruin our democracy. I grew up learning that bipartisanship only works when each side has the best interests of the people at heart. When will Baker grow up and realize the GOP is not playing fair?
Bryanne McDonough
Boston
I am an independent voter and I vote based on the best candidate for office, regardless of political party. I was always really impressed with Governor Baker as someone who I thought could go across the aisle and work with both sides. This article reaffirms my position on him and I would like him to run for another position, because he would have my vote. Thank you, Governor, for taking the time to write an article that is needed at this time.
Hundflicka
posted on bostonglobe.com
While I agree with Baker’s general message, people like him did NOT step in when their party started going in the wrong direction. They were silent because they liked the results. Where was Baker. . . in 2015, when Republicans suspended routine Obama Cabinet appointments? Or in 2016 when they refused to hold hearings on a Supreme Court nomination for purely political reasons? Was he using his position as Republican Governor of the 16th [most populated US state] to say “Hey guys, stop it”? No. The silence.
RalphSlate
posted on bostonglobe.com
It really made me rethink a lot of assumptions about what makes a good leader. It’s not ideology because ideology doesn’t get things done, it stops people from finding solutions. After watching Baker during his two terms, I’m not surprised he grew up with a Democratic mother and a Republican father. He learned up close and personal how to navigate the political spectrum. Life is about working together – often with those you may not agree with – to create good public policy. Baker seems to have always tried to find solutions without unnecessary labeling, but that’s nearly impossible in today’s partisan politics. The center no longer holds and with it the ability to really work together. Bottom line: It’s always about good results. Baker got them.
Sal Giarratani
East of Boston
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