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.

That most recent attempt at ‘royal’ PR was laughable- exhausted?So relatable .....Patronising zoom calls and that ridiculous unnecessary train journey! I feel that the pandemic has resulted in a lot more people ( sorry - that should be ‘subjects’) finally starting to question the whole charade . I really hope so .
Get up off your knees

marbellamarc We’ll have to disagree on that then.
I think it’s wrong to dismiss anyone’s feelings just because they’re rich. The person I know that has struggled with lockdown the most is extremely well off. She’s also one of nicest people I’ve ever known and her feelings very much matter and are valid. She is struggling regardless of her money and can very much empathise with others.

Yes it will be interesting to see the next approval ratings, I expect they have declined for most (not the Queen).

I don't think that's the point. Of course it's shit for lots of people for different reasons
However the point of this exercise (because she is a royal) was maintaining profile & being relatable to the plebs. It was a fail.

It’s only a fail if you don’t believe she could be exhausted.

They must be having as good a lockdown experience as it’s possible to have, holed up in Anmer, with lots of help and no financial pressure.

We’ll have to disagree on that then.

Fair enough.

I think it’s wrong to dismiss anyone’s feelings just because they’re rich

I don't think the criticism is because she is rich, rich people aren't immune from everything. I'm sure no one doubts the mental health struggles of W & H due to their mothers death despite their wealth, do you?
It's because she is a Royal & was doing her job but it was a misstep. We will have to disagree on that too.

Being rich won’t change that

hahahahahaha

It’s only a fail if you don’t believe she could be exhausted.

Exactly.

It’s only a fail if you don’t believe she could be exhausted

Not really she could be. However It is a PR fail because it's generated negative news. Do you disagree?

I do believe she is not exhausted and it’s a PR campaign to contain at least some of the damage they did with their actions in the last few months . But the campaign has backfired spectacularly.

Of course nobody is claiming that only the worst off people may complain or are allowed to find things hard. I am far from being one of the worst off and I still find things sometimes get too much, and I frequently offload to family/friends, anonymously on Mumsnet. And family and friends offload to me; we lean on each other.

But context is everything. As a line manager I don't complain about my own lot to members of my team at work, as I don't think this would be appropriate; my role is to try to keep up morale and be as supportive as possible to them.

Of course the D of C is entitled to be exhausted but she should not have talked about it in the context of her work. Rightly or wrongly she is a public figure and as such needs to be acutely aware of what is appropriate to say. I don't think it is at all 'bitchy' to criticise the Royals as public figures.

Not really she could be. However It is a PR fail because it's generated negative news. Do you disagree?

I haven’t seen any negative news as in news articles. Just negative comments on here from some people. And the vote on here is almost 50/50 so ......

Social media is news.
google shows other articles.

I can't see the vote but 50/50 is not a good result for a PR campaign ime.

Not too exhausted to get lovely new hair extensions put in either I notice.
Still one rule for the plebs eh?

Poor Kate. Looked knackered when I bumped into her at the bus stop on her way to a DSS interview. Said she was tired from having the 3 kids 24 hours a day on her own and trying to fit her work in. Not to mention the rent arrears. Feel very sorry for her.

Tone deaf and out of touch. Exhausted by doing what? She has shown a complete lack of sensitivity for a lot of people's situation. Does she not watch the news?

Twelve paws, don’t you wonder why such a relentless PR machine is needed , if , as you believe , ‘ the Firm ‘is so beloved ?

Agree with several posters upthread that there are probably more PR appropriate descriptions that she could've used! Being in lockdown and trying to juggle /cope with life is a really sensitive subject for many as they are completely struggling financially, emotionally, etc. I am not discrediting that Catherine could well be feeling 'exhausted' but perhaps there needs to be a little more acknowledgement of that privilege. It feels a little bit similar to when many celebrities complain about juggling motherhood, career, etc 🙄

marbellamarc

So I’ve just looked and found the express reporting on ‘mocking comments’ on Instagram. There will always be people, like on here, that are never happy with what the royals do. These people will never be pleased, so should the royals never do anything when literally everything they do, some can find fault with. I don’t think so. I think they just accept that they can’t please everyone and do what they think they should. You see it all as a PR campaign for themselves, I don’t. I do think Kate seems to care about children and mental health issues.

Anyway, like I say, I’m not a particular fan, I just didn’t like the tone of the original post. Money doesn’t solve everything, despite what many people think.

But that's why good PR is essential!

Funny... I remember another royal wife finding things hard (albeit different circumstances) and getting a backlash for it

Maybe her exhaustion threshold is lower.

I'm not finding hs exhausting, because I'm simply saying:"make sure you hand your work in." I'm lucky that my primary aged kids are used to me ignoring them. I'm finding 12 hours a day staring at a laptop tiring, but not exhausting. Mind you, I didn't sleep for 8 years and was still working ridiculous hours, so nothing I do ever again will ever be as knackering as that.

I am not a single parent, I have very nice house with lots of land. I have three kids and I am also struggling to home school them. It's not exclusive to people on low incomes and single parents - we are all finding it hard. So yes YABVU

But can't you see how much harder it is for a single parent, in a flat with no garden, limited income and possibly children with SN? Some people are having a much more challenging time than others.