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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to hate the cliche "busy mum"?

152 replies

MaureenCognito · 28/10/2012 14:58

where are all the women who describe themselves as "bone idle sods who happen to have some kids in a cupboard somewhere"?

OP posts:
catinwitchyboots · 28/10/2012 22:23

Sorry. I normally take the time to reply.

But I'm a mum. And I'm dead bizzzy

Grin
MadameCreeper · 28/10/2012 22:27

I'm not dismissive of women with children who really do have a very busy stressful life. Or anyone who is relentlessly ground down and run off their feet. As a family unit we are busy but still have plenty free time.

I do find the phrase Busy Mum patronising, it's like a pat on the head, yes dear we know you're busy with all that cooking and cleaning. It pissed me off when I was a SAHM.

SlackSally · 28/10/2012 22:29

It also insinuates, to some extent, that 'mums' are the only people who are busy. Not just excluding dads, but all those people without children who could be, for a multitude of reasons, far busier than the average mum.

kim147 · 28/10/2012 22:32

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

BlueHat · 28/10/2012 22:32

I hate this expression. All mums are busy. I don't see why it has become such a thing.

In those Sky adverts, Lily Allen is a singer and 'busy mum'. There used to be an advert for business cards and they were marketed as ideal for plumbers, hairdressers, etc. and 'busy mums' - wtf? Why would you need a card with your phone number on as a mum?!

Someone I work with describes herself as a busy mum all the time. It's on her FB profile - 'busy mum to Alice and Oliver' (not their real names, obvs) and she precedes half of what she says with 'as a busy mum...' It's like she's trying to justify her existence - there's no need, she's a very competent person but very annoying.

EldritchCleavage · 28/10/2012 22:32

One of my pet hates is the way politicians always go on about 'hard-working families.' During the last election campaign but one I used to make my father laugh by saying 'Yes, but I'm a feckless singleton, who should I vote for?'

SHRIIIEEEKPoolingBearBlood · 28/10/2012 22:35

busy mums buy a certain washing powder, and microwave healthy, appetising meals so their family can tuck in while they wash endless white sheets with the washing powder and pat their back pockets

kim147 · 28/10/2012 22:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SHRIIIEEEKPoolingBearBlood · 28/10/2012 22:36

most people are busy. Few people describe themselves as having loads of free time.

EugenesAxe · 28/10/2012 22:42

Rikers - 'the buffet of beige' is one of the most genius things I've read in ages.

FWIW I don't like the phrase. It's cliched and lowbrow.

EldritchCleavage · 28/10/2012 22:47

Kim147 let's start a new website 'Can't be reduced to a soundbite.com' and try and get some political influence!

EugenesAxe · 28/10/2012 22:49

Sorry; thought the thread was '...phrase "busy mum"'. So I didn't need to say that about it being clichedCas it had been said by the OP already.

OscarPistoriusGirlfriend · 28/10/2012 22:51

I have an acquaintance who is a "busy mum", it's exhausting hearing how bloody marvelous she is and thereby how we are all crap in comparison.

I just smile wryly.

Viviennemary · 28/10/2012 22:54

I don't think a busy Mum is a cliche it's a simple fact. I just was simply rushed off my feet when my children were small. And sometimes seemed to achieve totally nothing all day.

oxeye · 28/10/2012 23:33

yes to all above
I also hate "community" used by everyone to describe any grouping usually where all the people are at loggerheads and anything but...

SomethingOnce · 29/10/2012 00:38

I once heard somebody use the description 'criminal community'.

OP, YANBU.

where are all the women who describe themselves as "bone idle sods who happen to have some kids in a cupboard somewhere"?

Hello, here! [waves]

Original poster
MaureenCognito · 29/10/2012 06:43

Busy mum means busybody ?

OP posts:
Original poster
MaureenCognito · 29/10/2012 06:44

I hate industry being overused.
IMe if there's no welding or blow torches it ain't an industry

OP posts:
33goingon64 · 29/10/2012 07:10

It's a bit like 'hard working families'. What does that meeeeeeeeean?!

mumzy · 29/10/2012 07:32

The terms "busy mums" and "hard working families" set my teeth On edge even though that's essentially what we are. I feel patronised when I hear them especially when pronounced by a politician or a supermarket trying to sell me something. It's as if by just coming out with these phases they feel they are empathizing with me but in reality have no clue what our lives are really like.

iamabadger · 29/10/2012 07:43

Oh yes, we are all just so BUSY these days what with our employment laws that mean we can't be made to work 14 hours a day in a factory or up a chimney 7 days a week anymore, oh and all those labour saving devices like hoovers and washing machines. It's just awful, our great grandparents would feel so sorry for us Grin

UptoapointLordCopper · 29/10/2012 08:04

I am not so busy that I can't find time to give whoever calls me a busy mum a kick up his/her arse. Wink Just try me.

NotQuitePerfect · 29/10/2012 08:32

I have an acquaintance who is a "busy mum", it's exhausting hearing how bloody marvelous she is and thereby how we are all crap in comparison.

Made me laugh - applies to about a dozen people I know! Grin

bamboostalks · 29/10/2012 08:37

It's busy mum as part of hard working family that is the real doozy. Had some doorstepper for looking for vote last election. He said, " I can see you are a busy mum and as a hard working family we know that you will support....etc guff cliche etc

IfNotNowThenWhen · 29/10/2012 09:14

YES! Hard working families!
Because single people don't ever work hard!

I also hate the cliche that seems to get trotted out as a matter of course that "OUR lives are so busy and fast moving these days.."
Are they??
People go to work, pick up the kids, cook food, wash up.
How has that changed, other than now we get more holiday and flexitime than we did 50 years ago, and we don't have to wash the clothes by hand and put them through a mangle!

I have a job, a kid, no husband,no car and no dishwasher (and feck all money) but I don't feel any busier than I did when I was single, childless and with a career.
You are as busy as you choose to be, and a lot of the time people who claim to be "soooo busy" (I have a friend like this and she has a job and 2 kids and is sooooo busy,)spend a lot of time farting about on their I-phones or watching telly.