If you have little kids you might not have tackled this, but my step children are largely step adults, so I have had to straddle being candid and being a role model.

Years ago, attending one of my hippie schools, I was riding in a car with my best friend from 7th grade, her mom, two of her mom’s friends, and one of their kids. AS THEY PASSED AROUND A JOINT. I remember my friend’s mom, with total seriousness, asking me, “Does your mom allow you to get high?” Like it was watching a cartoon before bed. “Sure,” I said, wanting to look cool, and I took the joint from my friend. I had no idea what I was doing. But even then, I had the sneaking suspicion that this behavior was inappropriate for parents.

That friendship was short lived.