The Scoop:  Christina Aguilera is responding to critics who have called her a bad mom for going out on the town with her husband instead of staying at home with her newborn son, Max. 

She tells People.com, "Once in a while, if I want to go out and have a mommy-daddy night with my husband, I am more than allowed to do that. I spend all day with my son. Everybody has an opinion and everybody sometimes wants to cause drama and be mean spirited. But it's something that comes with what you do and I learned that very early on."

Colleen says:  Christina knows the value of a good soundbite.  I believe that's the one and only reason she didn't expound on this topic for an eternity, like I would do.  Although, in this one statement, she says a lot - from time to time people do love to cause drama and be mean spirited.  She's wise to have learned that and let it roll off her back. 

That said, party on Christina!!!!  Not that I'm following her around, but it sure doesn't seem that she's out every night getting smashed and losing her panties.  It seems like she goes out in moderation - and that's important for parents!  If I were Christina (which my body, hair, and voice will tell you, I am not), I would be going out to the hip clubs too from time to time.  This is insurance that she and her husband will keep the spice in their relationship to go forth and multiply again. 

Once a month, our church hosts "Kid's Night Out,"  we drop the little man off at 4 and he plays with the other kids until 7.  It's enough time for Matt and I to go to a movie or dinner and know that Ollie is being well cared for and having fun.  We know every month that no matter what else is going on, we have that to look forward to.  It's our time together.  Parents need that.  If that makes me a bad mom - so be it.  I'm not too worried. 

And furthermore, I am tired of the term 'bad mom'.  I don't want to hear it from people talking about other moms, and I really don't want to hear it from moms talking about themselves.  We all worry about whether we're doing it right, it's an important job, that's natural.  Can we just reserve the term for people who really are bad parents - the ones who neglect or beat their children (or worse), and stop using it for moms who are doing their best and occasionally trip up like we all do?