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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

to wonder why some women 'bother' to have children???

272 replies

babiesblue · 28/11/2009 09:56

I know a woman who had her dc around the same time I had my 1st. Our mothers are friends.
Just recently Mum has told me about meeting up with her and her Mum at some social event.
This woman spent the entire meeting explaining to my Mum about how busy she is at work, and how little time she gets to spend with her dc. Dc goes to stay with grandparents on Sunday evenings so that they can do the nursery run on Monday mornings (so that she doesn't have to get dc ready as she's getting herself ready for work - grandparents bring the child to nursery every morning also and collect in evening). Apparently (at 2yo) dc has never slept through the night, and she's exhausted. Her husbands mother, once a week, delivers a week's worth of food to her house for the child to eat.
And, since I've now had my 2nd dc, she was asking how we all were, and saying that herself and her dh were thinking about having a 2nd baby.
My point is, although I think she's very lucky having all the help from her family, I just can't help feeling that she isn't actually looking after the child she has, let alone would be able to look after a 2nd!!!
Also (now maybe you think I'm being really mean???) she works full-time - fair enough - and isn't home before dc goes to bed most nights (relies on grandparents again), so doesn't really see dc that much during the week, but at the weekends she continues to make arrangements with friends to meet up and go to the ballet, the opera, the theatre (where she saw my Mum), out for lunch or dinner, and so therefore still doesn't see her dc.

AIBU to wonder why she's planning to have another child when she hardly sees the one she has???

OP posts:
saltyseadog · 28/11/2009 10:18

Don't forget the pitchforks lulu.

babiesblue · 28/11/2009 10:18

I think her balance between career, social life and motherhood is a joke...

OP posts:
scottishmummy · 28/11/2009 10:19

start a pyre by all means but do get the wee man to clean up afterwards. damn smoke

saltyseadog · 28/11/2009 10:20

Well if it is babiesblue, that's for her to realise in her own time, not for you to make judgement upon.

Lulumama · 28/11/2009 10:21

you might think so, but you know what, there are some women who actually don't want to spend 24/7 with their children, does not mean they don't love them any less... what is the point of being at home with your children if (a) you can't afford to and (b) you are resentful and angry and would rather be elsewhere?

life is not one size fits all

would it be better for her to give up her job or go part time, have to sell her home and give up the stuff that makes her and the children happy too? just so she can fit your ideal of what a good parent is?

Lulumama · 28/11/2009 10:22

scottishmummy, you're on top form today, made me snort my tea out of my nose !

scottishmummy · 28/11/2009 10:23

i dont have time to joke.make an appt with my secretary if you want mirth.

saltyseadog · 28/11/2009 10:26

Agree - scottishmummy is on fire today

scottishmummy · 28/11/2009 10:26

tea doon the snitch?nice.did it go on pc?i could get a wee man wipe it up for you

saltyseadog · 28/11/2009 10:29

Tis OK scottishmummmy - I've just yelled for the housekeeper to come hither.

scottishmummy · 28/11/2009 10:32

wis the wee bachle folding towels for the press

ChristmasMoon · 28/11/2009 10:33

What a nasty op, yet another slagging off of a woman who dares to work and have children. Enjoy your ivory tower there op.

saltyseadog · 28/11/2009 10:37

Yes SM - I like to keep her busy of a weekend, otherwise she's sooo distracting whilst I'm on my Blackberry.

HerBeatitude · 28/11/2009 10:38

What's a clipe?

What about the father? Does he not come in for a slagging then? why is he bothering to have another kid? Or is she doing this by herself?

hocuspontas · 28/11/2009 10:40

Why are people getting heated? I thought the op outed herself at 10:11?

cornsilkwearscorsets · 28/11/2009 10:45

I think the op is jealous of her life.

HerBeatitude · 28/11/2009 10:45

oh we just enjoy it.

Dumbledoresgirl · 28/11/2009 10:47

Well, I am with the basic argument expressed in the OP (not sure if it is genuine or not, but I am).

Working when you have a small child is one thing (though I still think it is preferable to be at home with the child and I am sure a lot of full-time working mothers would prefer that if possible) but having your parents or in-laws providing food for the child is OTT, and not spending time with the child at the weekend is unforgiveable.

I don't care if I am flamed. I solidly believe some parents do not spend enough quality time with their children.

Goblinchild · 28/11/2009 10:48

Well, I'm writing children's reports so I keep dropping in here for entertainment in between euphemisms.

SoupDragon · 28/11/2009 10:49

Welcome to Mumsnet

saltyseadog · 28/11/2009 10:52

I'm sure there are some SAHMs who don't spend that much quality time (whatever that is ) with their dcs.

hocuspontas · 28/11/2009 10:52

Ah! I wondered why she'd been ignored

pooexplosions · 28/11/2009 10:52

......"
I don't care if I am flamed. I solidly believe some parents do not spend enough quality time with their children."......

and this is your business because.....? Seriously, I don't understand hy you care about other parents and children? Does it affect you in anyay?

Dumbledoresgirl · 28/11/2009 10:53

I am sure there are too saltyseadog.

But 2 wrongs don't make a right.

Dumbledoresgirl · 28/11/2009 10:54

I didn't say it was my business. I am not interfering with anyone's life.

But I do have an opinion and Mumsnet is a place I can come to to express it. Same as the rest of you do.