Ruth Kelly

[JanH]

I'm amazed we haven't had a thread on her yet, on the back of DB's departure - she's one of those Superwomen - "Ms Kelly entered Parliament as MP for Bolton West in 1997 and 11 days later gave birth to the first of her four children." (Telegraph .) And she's only 36. Looking forward to lots of sympathetic "how on earth does she do it?" pieces in the Women's sections.

[aloha]

Um, take a look on the media requests!

[Tinker]

She does make one feel terribly inadequate I must say.

[walkinginawelshmumwonderland]

I'm also impressed that she doesn't play on it at all. I don't think she's done any interviews mentioning her private life at all or how she juggles it all. She's a strict Catholic too so you can't rule out more Kelly babes

[JanH]

Thanks, aloha, hadn't spotted that one, obv! (Mind you they're all under 8, not 7, which I'm sure makes all the difference.)

Wonder what their dad does? It would be fab if he is a SAHD!

[motherinfestivemood]

I do find it a bit much that everyone always focuses on how many kids she's got. Do you think they'd always write about a 'father of four'?

She does knock one's confidence, doesn't she ?

[walkinginawelshmumwonderland]

And apparently she doesn't take her red boxes home. She must have a brain like a planet

[bundleofyulelogs]

maybe she smuggles bits of paper home inside packs of nappies or rolls them up inside breastmilk bags. what does her dh do?

[motherinfestivemood]

apparently carries the domestic strain although no other details bar the name Derek are forthcoming

[Tinker]

Bet she doesn't waste her time on mumsnet all day though.

[SantaFio2]

sorry i really thought she was off Hi-De-Hi!

[JanH]

WASTE, Tinker? Wash your mouth out!

MI, your link doesn't work.

[JanH]

Oh, it's ok, have figured it (2 https)

[Tinker]

That's Ruth Madoc. Same hairstyle though

[motherinfestivemood]

Sorry, obviously my glass of wine threw me totally. Have also been using work-free child-free couple of hours to wrap Christmas presents as am so hopeless at wrapping things I might as well blame the booze.

Bet she doesn't get side-tracked by the fact you don't get so many people called Derek these days either.

You don't, do you? How old is he, anyone know?

[SantaFio2]

not another one who has a glass of wine whilst wrapping pressies

[bundleofyulelogs]

gosh one of my old chums (who's in aus now) was born in 1968 in limavady, wonder if she knows her. did she grow up there?

MI, i know a couple of dereks but ikwym. don't know any baby dereks though, you'd expect them to wear a flatcap or similar

a glass of wine? at this time of day???

[motherinfestivemood]

IT'S MY PARTY.

See thread below.

Any minute now I am going to take off my own glasses and tell myself I'm beautiful, really.

[JanH]

I only know one Derek and he is about 65. Don't think it's the same one.

Wrapping presents already? I haven't even bought any yet!!! (But I've been ill. Good excuse? Wondering if I can string it out long enough to get out of Christmas altogether.)

[motherinfestivemood]

and I'll wrap if I want to

[purpleturtle]

I did notice that the lunchtime news made no comment about Charles Clarke's age or parental status, but obviously couldn't resist Ruth Kelly

[paolosgirl]

Leaving aside all the men v. women type stuff - how DOES she do it??? I'm always intrigued, because I can't figure it out. Does she have a partner that doesn't work or works p/t? Does she have a full time, v. reliable, v. flexible live-in nanny? Or does she have a v. helpful family who pitch in . I admire/envy(!) all who manage it!!

[bundleofyulelogs]

derek looks lovely

[motherinfestivemood]

Check out the front of that hair, though.

Am just jealous, small and inferior.

[bundleofyulelogs]

( i mean lovely in a Nice Man kind of way, i don't fancy him or anything...)

[Tinker]

I love that "In her spare time" !