To be annoyed by the Duchess of Cambridge's claim that home schooling is 'exhausting'

[Livingtothefull]

www.edp24.co.uk/news/kate-middleton-video-call-parents-homeschooling-challenges-pandemic-7080128

I accept that lockdown has had an impact on everyone to some extent, however privileged. But I can't help being irritated by this. Even if we accept that she is doing the home schooling herself without any help, I don't think there is any comparison between her situation and that of many other people. I am not saying lockdown isn't difficult for her.....but it is a million times harder if you are say a single parent, struggling with home schooling and a minimum wage job which you may lose any time, worried sick about your and DC future if this happens. And doing it in a poky flat instead of a vast country estate.

And I know she may be trying to show empathy with the rest of us. But TBH I would have much more respect for the royals if they would just acknowledge their privilege rather than claim common ground which just isn't there.

I think it's unreasonable to be annoyed, personally. Being privileged doesn't prevent you from finding life tough or having shit days. And I think it's good that she acknowledges it's tough.

I have a very ordinary life - but I'm finding being at home with teen DC boring and shit and I'm grateful not to have primary ages in many ways. However - if I were used to being able to travel the globe, go to film premieres, eat out in restaurants etc I'd be finding life even shittier. I presume they usually have a lot more of an exciting life than I do.

I have no real idea about their lives, by the way. But I imagine if you are used to a great lifestyle then lockdown is just as shit for you as it is for ordinary people. And she strikes me as a decent mother - just because they have staff I don't imagine she would say to her children Oh I can't be bothered with you - go find someone else.

Mum guilt gets to us all. Her children are not in school and are home all day and (presumably) wanting to be with her. Just because you can shove them off on alternative childcare doesn't mean you do.

She isn't saying I'm finding life as exhausting as a single mother wfh in a tiny flat with no garden. She's just saying life is exhausting at the moment.

I agree. Insensitive. I wonder how a single mother of 3 kids in a flat with no garden trying to work from home and homeschool would feel about Kate's view that its exhausting.

The fact they think they get it make me 🤬

Marie Antoinette anyone?

We might not be in the same boats (some might be in super yachts rather than leaky canoes) but we're all in the same damn storm.

I know she hasn’t said this, but honestly think I’d lose my rag if she said this to me in real life and I was living in a hostel with three kids and a one ring hob cooker. It’s just not true, is it?

She was asked to hold up a sign with one word describing parenting during lockdown. What did you want her to say? Easy?

YABU I’m not a royal fan can’t stand them..but her feelings are still valid and the situation is hard on everyone in different ways.

I don't think anyone is suggesting that she doesn't have a right to feel exhausted and be struggling. I actually think her life is quite tough and I would hate to be her (always on show, dressed up, probably feels quite pressurised to look wonderful and stay rake thin etc.) but I do think she has a responsibility to think about her privilege and in public settings - tread carefully. Not only is she insanely rich and privileged, we fund her lifestyle.

I don’t know, really. I’m finding homeschooling tiring and the lockdown a real drag. However, I’m also I’m a position of real privilege as I’m on maternity leave so don’t also have to worry about working (although do have a destructive early walking baby to contend with!). I’m well aware that my situation is easier than most of my working friends, and very significantly easier again than those who are struggling to keep jobs / businesses etc. I don’t think that means that I shouldn’t be able to say that I’m finding it tough though, but at the same time being aware that my situation is actually easier than many others.

It was utter patronising nonsense. Cringeworthy trying to pretend you have the same problems as others when you have an army of trained staff, tutors, nannies and hundreds of acres for the kids to run around in if they get bored. All that plus swimming pool, horses etc etc

She couldn’t of got it right if she had said “ easy “ then people would be complaining that she said it was easy etc

She literally could not have said anything right.

Marie Antoinette anyone?

Exactly

@StoneofDestiny you are right to an extent about the kids having a space to run around. A swimming pool etc but imagine what their life might be every year. Their freedom is different to ours all the time.
It’s not as simple for them to take their kids on a spontaneous trip to lego land on a Sunday they find boring.

I’ve read the link and cannot see that she said she had it as hard as other people?

She literally could not have said anything right.

How about, “We’re very lucky and aware that that we’re lucky. There are still differences though...”

Oh for Christ sakes. She's a mother of 3 young children, it probably is exhausting having them around 24/7 even with nannies etc.
It is not a completion of who is struggling the most during lockdown. We should be supporting all parents, not tearing people down because their situation may be more privileged than yours. Others may look at you and think you've got it easy. We don't know any bodies lives behind closed doors.

Pack of eejits. The whole family

Meh, she is working (can't imagine she is answering idiotic questions like that for fun), with 3 young kids... if that's how she feels that's fair enough in my opinion.

Yanbu

It’s not a competition.

A single parent of 1 child could e.g. be struggling less than a married parent of 3 who also has to WFH.

And I assume the people objecting know her personally? Know for a fact that she has tutors and nannies etc and that she just sits on her arse all day? No, didn’t think so.

She was asked for one word which described parenting, what would people want her to say? If she’d said “I don’t think it would be appropriate” she would be shot down for that as well.

Everyone is living their own life in the circumstances. The fact she’s a royal doesn’t mean she’s not entitled to feelings or that she has to keep them to herself because a single parent might be upset by them... Her feelings are her feelings, just as yours are yours...

Absolutely tone deaf :(

I tire of privileged rich monarchy trying to pretend they get it just like the hoi polloi
It’s fake,it’s disingenuous to suggest they get and understand real life

It would be equally annoying if she had said lockdown was great and she was loving helping the children.
It's probably best for her to say nothing on this occasion. Complaining comes across as ungrateful whilst saying it's great would seem very smug

They don’t have tutors.
They’re in lockdown.
Ok she has money... but what relevance is that? Oh her job isn’t taxing.. but sahms with 3 kids know how exhausting it is?
She has 3 children to care for, educate, plus her job (yes, little but still more than me) as I have a 4yo and a 7mo and it’s fucking HARD. Why can’t she feel tired looking after AND homeschooling 3 kids plus her responsibilities??!? Bull to argue otherwise.

Multi millionaires still kill themselves. Robin Williams was minted and loved and still died. What a moaning selfish prick. Oh wait.

Oh and imagine the constant media and social media s h i t.
She’s amazingly strong; better than I could do.

True, but I can’t imagine it going down much better if she’d said ‘Homeschooling is hard for you common poors, but luckily I’m rich and privileged enough to have my nanny do it for me’

Ok she has money... but what relevance is that? and the award for the most risible comment goes to...