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 have no issue with comments.

It not a bloody competition in tiredness and who has the most or least privilege. She’s tired and finding it hard, like many others, and sharing her feelings.

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

We know why that is don't we...

Not read through all the comments after @Aquamarine1029 as they said it best

Ffs. She may be privileged, but she's still a human being and the mother of 3 young children. Why can't she express how she feels, too? Honestly, she can't win with some people.

And that’s just it. End of

@longwayoff

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.

So again, were back to only people in the worst possible situation can be exhausted. Not the lawyer juggling childcare with her executive partner, even though they alternate working from 5 am / til midnight to do childcare for two young children. Not the SAHM of three who's got a child with poor attention and mills SEN plus two babies hit who's partner in securely employed in a minimum wage job. Not a teacher working from home whilst trying to home school one 6 year old. No, all those people should shut up and know their place.

There will always be people, like on here, that are never happy with what the royals do.

Of course but their survival in the current form is fairly dependent on the public's view & favour to them so 50/50 won't really cut it.

Nobody has the same experience. Based on some of these replies nobody should say any element of parenting is difficult because someone else has it worse. It's almost competitive.

Have people read the whole article? The headteacher of the school asked them to write down one word they associate with home schooling and she wrote exhausting. It's nothing to do with her work or general life in lockdown, only about having to home school. She was asked a direct question about it she hasn't been complaining about it being exhausting herself.

But I do think she walked right into that trap and other parents but more sensitive words down. Probably not the best choice of words for her. I too doubt she's doing the home schooling herself. I guess compared to her normal life when the kids are at school and she has tonnes of help she's finding it exhausting. She was trying to relate to the general public but it does grate a bit- yes. She doesn't look exhausted either- unlike me. I still like her though.

Ffs how many times do we need to explain that just because someone is worse off than you, doesn’t mean you can’t be upset. I have a husband, am I not allowed to say i’m exhausted because some people are single mums?

She was asked the question. Would you rather she had written ‘blessed’ or some bullshit

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.

In lots of cases this will be true, but that doesn’t mean everyone who is better off isn’t struggling. Why does it have to be a competition. Kate certainly hadn’t made it into one, she only said it’s exhausting. She didn’t say she was more or less exhausted than anyone else, just that she found it exhausting. And she’s allowed to.
If she’d have said it’s more exhausting for her than anyone else then I’d understand the thread.

She is absolutely entitled to feel exhausted and stressed or otherwise.

To publicly declare this is what we are criticising her for.

She's as lucky as one can get in this Pandemic. Her only worry is teaching her kids. Kids who no doubt have many live lessons in groups of 2 or 3 children. A nanny to keep the little one occupied so she can sit peacefully with the older ones.

She's in a beautiful home, housekeepers keeping it spotless, laundered and orderly.

Swimming pool for afternoon splash times. Her own fully equipped gym to keep her sane.

Not a financial concern in the whole world meaning she knows her children can be given as much support needed to ensure they're back up to speed.

Many of us in real life are aware of how privileged we are but I bet we're not shoving it down the throats of our friends who we know are not.

Quite simply, she is not just a normal mother of 3. So she needs to stop pretending she is.

@Seychelles98

It sure has grown a lot since October.

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.

Does the notion of 'somoene else has it worse' stave off physical exhaustion then? It's not a competition, it's as teedious as the competitive tiredness, the one that springs to mind is that no one without children can ever possibly be as tired a parent. Boring af, and the attitude of sucking it up and being grateful is why many don't seek help and support when they need it, as they feel wrongly guilty.

I find everything she does annoying. Her voice drives me crazy, she's fading away physically (way too much pressure on her to be thin I expect), and every time I see her and William and hear them speak I just think how way way out of touch they are.

When they were younger, at uni having parties etc.. they seemed normal ish, but now they drive me crazy. Doing the zoom call poor Kate just seemed ridiculous - she needs to lighten up! Dress normally in jeans and t shirt like everyone else!! Talk a bit louder, ruffle you hair, look like you have actually been playing with your kids or managing their tantrums!!

Ps. I feel.sorry for her. I wouldn't swap places. But she does drive me nuts pretending to be down with us peasants ...

Oh and I hate the Christmas card, the stages photos released to media etc.. etc... It's all so fake and privileged.

I used to be a fan of the royals. I don't mind the queen and Philip. But will and Kate are stuck in another era. They need to get real.

I'd hate to be Kate though. Imagine the pressure on her at the school gates, school activities, mum meet ups... Nightmare. No thanks.

@Babymamaroon

She is absolutely entitled to feel exhausted and stressed or otherwise.

To publicly declare this is what we are criticising her for.

She's as lucky as one can get in this Pandemic. Her only worry is teaching her kids. Kids who no doubt have many live lessons in groups of 2 or 3 children. A nanny to keep the little one occupied so she can sit peacefully with the older ones.

She's in a beautiful home, housekeepers keeping it spotless, laundered and orderly.

Swimming pool for afternoon splash times. Her own fully equipped gym to keep her sane.

Not a financial concern in the whole world meaning she knows her children can be given as much support needed to ensure they're back up to speed.

Many of us in real life are aware of how privileged we are but I bet we're not shoving it down the throats of our friends who we know are not.

Quite simply, she is not just a normal mother of 3. So she needs to stop pretending she is.

What would you have preferred her to answer to the question

“One word to describe home schooling”

If she had said fun, or exciting, or interesting, there would have been another thread saying ‘how insensitive when the rest of us are knackered and struggling for her to say positive things, of course it’s positive for her’

I am quite sure she is full aware she’s not a ‘normal parent’

I actually don’t think she can win. They were asked to put down one word describing home schooling. She could hardly say shit could she. Even with all the help she has, looking after 3 kids and homeschooling is exhausting. If she’d said something like fun or lovely everyone would have a go as well.

SaltyTootsieToes

‘Not read through all the comments after @Aquamarine1029 as they said it best

Ffs. She may be privileged, but she's still a human being and the mother of 3 young children. Why can't she express how she feels, too? Honestly, she can't win with some people.

And that’s just it. End of’

Well, I for one know I’m on the wrong side of the argument when a poster on the internet finishes a post with ‘end of’.

🤣🤣🤣

Anyone else spot the supreme irony of the MN obsession with royalty when its prevailing view is that it’s an irrelevant, outdated anachronism? If it’s so irrelevant, why give it any attention? If it was irrelevant none of you would give a shit about them.

But will and Kate are stuck in another era.

It is all a bit staid & dated. As a similar age with 3 young dc I don't find her relevant or representative of me or my friends. Maybe they have to appeal to the older generations though.

@Beefcurtains79 that's you told 😆

The issue is much wider than the fact that she used the word ‘exhausting’ to describe her life .
We all have more time to think these days . That is not a good thing for a multi billion royal machine that depends on perpetuating the status quo. I think the zoom calls have been very revealing - they are rather dull people without the trappings of pomp and circumstance
Once the queen has gone things will change and fast. Just my opinion.

Once the queen has gone things will change and fast.

I think so too.

Everyone has different worries and concerns about lockdown. I live in a big house with a huge garden... (if i'm honest) but my teenage children are still finding it hard and are missing their friends, wanting to do team sports and they wish we didn't live in the countryside where we don't get to see anyone passing by, no village shop let alone a starbucks....
Yes we consider ourselves fortunate but it is still hard!

@marbellamarc

Once the queen has gone things will change and fast.

I think so too.

I don’t. With 70% of the British population in favour of the monarchy and the yearning for stability that will follow this crisis, they’re here to stay.