This is the sexism that is entrenched in the UK. Look at the vitriol passed out at Sarah Palin because she went back to work quickly. We ought to have a choice. Some of us are fit and well after birth. Yes I was tired but it was hugely easier to be sitting at desk than looking after a baby, 1 year old and 3 year old at home which I otherwise woudl have been doing when I was 26.
I would be delighted if anyone thought I didn't exist as I never seem to be able to post anywhere without someone popping up saying clever old me I typed into google a few key facts and found "Xenia". I want to retain my anonymity.
It is very important other women know women can happily have five children and earn six figure sums and lead balanced lives and that is the only reason I might mention my work, return to work etc. I don't think I have ever said what I've earned. I certainly don't have any wealth at all and the island cost less than most Spanish villas but is very nice to have.
Going back to work quickly when you have a baby is not difficult for many women and we ought to have the choice and not be criticised for it. I've pasted on here before why it's a good thing for some of us, not least because the baby gets used to its routine and bonds with mother, father and nanny very early on rather htan used to mother 24/7 until age 1 and then ripped form mother's bosom with huge emotional trauma when it's life is radically changed and mother goes back to work then or whatever.
I adore babies and loved breastfeeding and would even like to have one now at 46. When I'd given birth to teh twins I was 36 and the first day home I was alone which wasn't ideal but life is never ideal and that was harder as I had to get downstairs to answer the phone a few times to clients. First week was school half term so their father was there and looked after them whilst I worked but obviously I was at home and just doing what I felt like doing and breastfeeding in the usual fairly constant way you do with small babies. Then week after their nanny started work here but again easier than when I was 26 as I was based at home so I didn't have to express milk. I never liked expressing although I did it in my 20s.
I certainly don't think women have a worse deal now than 100 years ago as we have more legal rights. 100 years ago most worked, many in factories and as domestic servants. Many children under 5 died and many siblings had to mind other children. Women's lot is hugely easier. Read tuppenece to cross the mersey or whatever that autobiography is if you want to see the life of many people in this country not that very long ago.
We have really never had it so good in some senses, even compared to normal life in the 1950s or 60s or even in the early 80s when we certainly couldn't afford to buy anything for the children new. It will probably do the nation good if it has to go back to a little of a flavour of post war austerity/rationing but I doubt things will get anything like as hard as they used to be then but we'll see. It's certainly interesting times and for the benefit of women actually although they may not think so at present if they are forced back to work as their husband loses his job or it is less secure it will do them the world of good, just the push some of them need and they tend to be a lot happier in work anyway, most of them.
[And I've earned no money yet so far so I'd better go off and remedy that]