The Mummy Wars and Childcare

In an article in The Australian today, I learned something new thanks to a government minister.
Families Minister Jenny Macklin said the so-called “mummy wars” between working and stay-at-home mothers ended some time ago.
“The thing I feel strongly about is that our system of support – whether it’s financial support or service-based, childcare for example – [...]

Can you see me?

No?
Seriously, I *am* here. I am hidden behind the ever-expanding piles of paperwork that have grown like topsy since my DH died. I had no idea of the huge amount of work that was involved, and that’s even with a solicitor dealing with the legal side of things.
A little part of me thinks [...]

It’s hard to travel

… when part of your luggage is worry.
Since DD was born, I have had 4 nights away from her. Two were when she spent the night at my mother’s over Christmas and I was a suburb away. One was when I eagerly went interstate for a work matter. The other was last weekend when DD [...]

Still not the perfect housewife

I’ve heard there is such a thing. She is the one who has a sparkling kitchen, no grease spots on the splashbacks, no errant crumbs in the bottom of the oven, and she always remembers to wear an apron so that her clothes are similarly spotless.
She irons her husband’s shirts and he prefers [...]

Gifted child

It used to be that every mother thought her baby was beautiful and that was it. Now, (nearly) every mother seems to think her preschooler is gifted. I’m not kidding. Have a look at this BabyCenter poll on gifted children. A grand total of 74% of respondents believe their child is gifted.
As a former [...]

Polar Fleece Mum bites back

Yes, things have been quiet recently. Thanks to whichever delightful sharing, caring folks brought swine flu to Australia, various quarantine measures have been put in place. As one who travelled to Melbourne (treated as if it were the plague capital), I ended up spending a week in quarantine with DD who wasn’t allowed to see [...]

Mind your own business

Well, that’s what I feel like saying to people when they decide to “help” me by criticising my choices that I make for my daughter regarding food, entertainment, activities, bedtimes, sleeping patterns, clothing, and more. Sometimes it’s so-called experts (all that OMG your television will ROT your child’s BRAIN), sometimes it’s pretend-friendly acquaintances who [...]

Mother and housewife

Honestly, if you looked at the duty statement, salary, benefits and key performance indicators and then conducted a full cost benefit analysis, you wouldn’t take on the job. See how my mind works when I’m being snarky?
I read this article by Kylie Orr.
So while we debate what level of qualifications our country’s [...]

Pumpin’ Mamas

Article by Jill Lepore in The New Yorker here.
When did breast pumps become a substitute for proper paid maternity leave? Economically it’s cheaper for an employer to find a broom closet (remember, not a bathroom) with a power supply and a chair for a new mother, rather than the hassle of paying out maternity leave [...]

Daylight saving

Yeah, like we’re saving buckets of it in a dark closet to bring out on a dull winter’s afternoon.
DD is not impressed and insists on waking at some ungodly hour. She took over my side of the bed while I had a shower, covered me in uncompliments while I got dressed (like I really need [...]