Susan GrahamI am a parent therefore I don't work!
February 17th 2008 23:41
Some time ago I was stopped in the street by a market researcher (male, smartly dressed, a mere 20-something-just-out-of-univ ersity). I had tried to avoid him as he marched towards me with his clipboard but failed as I had a child in a pushchair - and those things never manoeuvre the way you want them to.
As a result I spent a long five minutes in the cold answering questions about brands of toothpaste. At the end of theinterrogation interview the researcher asked me what my occupation was.
I said I was a mother.
He then said "So you don't do anything then," and scribbled something on his clipboard. It wasn't a question. And if I hadn't been sobloody angry annoyed I would have said something, but there was no time - I had a child who needed feeding, laundry to collect and several bills that could be only paid at the post office which was about to shut.
I was reminded of that incident again today when I asked my delightful (at times) four-year-old daughter if mummy worked. Her reply without hesitation was a definite NO!
So now I'm on strike.
For the rest of the day there will be no cooking, cleaning, washing-up, ironing, hoovering, story-telling, entertainment, or games of any description. I am no longer on 24-hour call (at least not until my daughter returns from her grandparents!)
And I will be sticking a copy of this picture on my front door due to complete exhaustion and reduced mental capacity:
Flickr photo by 14-2-1.
I am now off to read the newspapers in total and peace and quiet. Bliss.
This post also appears in my Parenting Issues UK site - come over and visit!
As a result I spent a long five minutes in the cold answering questions about brands of toothpaste. At the end of the
I said I was a mother.
He then said "So you don't do anything then," and scribbled something on his clipboard. It wasn't a question. And if I hadn't been so
I was reminded of that incident again today when I asked my delightful (at times) four-year-old daughter if mummy worked. Her reply without hesitation was a definite NO!
So now I'm on strike.
For the rest of the day there will be no cooking, cleaning, washing-up, ironing, hoovering, story-telling, entertainment, or games of any description. I am no longer on 24-hour call (at least not until my daughter returns from her grandparents!)
And I will be sticking a copy of this picture on my front door due to complete exhaustion and reduced mental capacity:
Flickr photo by 14-2-1.
I am now off to read the newspapers in total and peace and quiet. Bliss.
This post also appears in my Parenting Issues UK site - come over and visit!
| 194 |
| Vote |
Comment by Miswanderlust
Killer Beats
Ramble On
Hipnotherapy
I am with you here sister! I can't believe the perception of foks about the roles of mothers. I know from personal experience... "All mothers are working mothers!"
Mis
Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
It's dreadful isn't it? I mean seriously.
I don't get upset anymore, there are only so many times you can here the same rubbish before you're immune to it.
But because I've heard it so many times, I'm not taken aback now when I do hear it, so generally I "correct" people on their perception of motherhood.
Fools!
Vent away Rose
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by Nathan P. Mahney
NerdBlog
The Comic Nerd
Comment by Lilla
From The Home Front
Enviro Warrior
Dream Herald
Esoteric Bookshop
Someone needs to tell these people what a complete oxymoron 'non-working mother' is!
As a writer, and part-time clairvoyant, it was/is the constant interruptions to my thought patterns - after 32 years of previous solitude. Now some years on and into teenagers... ((laughs)) ... dimished capacity is par for the course, as a matter of course ...and um... add menopause, and it's a wonder I remember how to find orble!
Hang in there, it gets better *LOL*'
Lilla ...
Comment by the world of gaye
batty
Family Madness
bright lights greedy city
REFLECTIONS
THE WINDMILLS OF MY MIND
Comment by Mal
Mal
Mal.
Comment by Kleonaptra
Kalikapsychosis
I used to stay home full time and had my hands full just looking after my partner, mum and massive animal family! Mum and Kman used to tell me I 'sat on my arse all day' but if that was true, why was the kitchen always clean and ready to use, the bathroom sparkling, clean clothes laid out and no dirty washing to be seen? Not to mention clean animal enclosures and full food and water bowls? Oh, lets not forget vacumed carpets and cleanly mopped hard floors......
I could go on, as Im sure you know.
Now I work, and everyone whinges that the house is never clean etc etc.....
Im trying to get enough money under me that I can afford to get married and have a baby.....AND look after the animals too!
There is no way to explan it to someone that hasnt done it, but the second I say those 3 little words - "Honey, Im pregnant" I will not work until Im good and ready.....I dont think working and child rearing go together at all.....So, good on you!
Comment by Michaelie
Flick Wit
Michaelie
Comment by Anonymous
Comment by Luke
Old Movies
Cane Toad Warrior
Comment by Sarah White
coolgirlsar to the rescue
One Too Many Chocolate Bars
Enjoy the day off work.
Take Care.
Sarah.
Oh and I would have made sure I clipped his feet with the pushchair when I moved off after that comment.
Comment by Natalie Maxwell
Crazy Sexy Mama