to not want someone who is not even a mother to speak on behalf of mothers

[MollyRoger]

No thanks, Gina hun. We can speak for ourselves

And if you think MN popularity is based on the fact that some MNers are not keen on Gina Ford's methods, then you clearly haven't been on here much.

Rollmops thanks for that original reply

brighton nothing personal just don't think that anyones looks should be brought into debate when the topic has nothing to do with said looks, I'm not picking on you as several others are now referring to GF's looks and I just don't think it's right.

I completely agree with the majority of views on this subject and am certainly not overjoyed with GF being a 'spokesperson' for me at all, what a ridiculous idea

Have to agree with pesto that picking on looks is rather playground bitchy type thing. We all know she reads all this stuff.

And it's not as if there isn't enough ammo in what she has actually said...

Don't like Gina Ford methods, but don't like the notion that only parents can comment on child care. That is plain condescending. I've had four children, and quite honestly still don't really know much about child care.

You sound ideally placed to write a book about it then, jeee

Apologies to all and sundry for insulting said photo...

However it comes from a week of having old school photos posted on facebook - NOTHING can compare to those - and lordy, did I get some well deserved abuse...

I'm sure I bought her book when I had dd1, I bought it alongside The Baby Whisperer by Tracey Hogg. I did read both of them but I can't remember being particularly scandalised by anything Gina Ford said at the time-maybe I missed bits in the skim reading.

Someone up the thread said:
Anybody who says that you can't look at your baby and only hold it for 10 minutes a day is not speaking for me.
Is this for real? I don't remember anything like this being in Gina Ford's book-maybe I was too unfocused at the time to take it all in

Incidentally I routined my daughter according to Tracey Hoggs 'EASY routine'-it was fabulous. The best bit in the book was the advice to 'tank up' the baby before bedtime with a number of successive feeds. She was sleeping through the night in no time.

I'm wondering whether Gina Ford is the lady who talks about 'crying it out'. Thankfully never needed to use that with dd as she was out like a light everytime.

Posted below is the message on the GF website, where exactly does it say that she is speaking for mumsnetters ? The message clearly says that the editorial team will be doing a weekly round up for their members, of what the politicians are promising in the weeks up to the election. What is the big deal ?

"With the general election approaching, members are becoming increasingly interested in politics. In response to this, we plan in the months leading up to the election to cover the main events in our weekly round up.

We will look at our politicians' highs and lows, sharing with you their pledges and promises, and we'll cover many of the issues that concern families and children. We will also review each party's vision of the future, against the backdrop of current economic turmoil, so that you can consider whose policies might work and who you can put your trust in.

As individuals, we sometimes forget that we can affect things; but that is exactly what our vote is for. Individuals can and do make a difference, because our views and our votes count.

We're sure that this new section of the site will generate discussion and excitement. And whether it leads you to think, debate or simply smile, we hope you will enjoy it."

The thing is, MNHQ allowing MN to become more political courting the publicity about this being the MN election that will only backfire in the end. As a backlash, there's likely going to be some very nasty publicity focused on MN -- sooner rather than later, too.

Now it seems like GF wants to court publicity in the same way (publicly commenting on the upcoming election) -- and the publicity is going to backlash on her in exactly the same way.

The media is a dancing tiger with sharp claws, nasty big teeth and a big appetite for blood.

I don't like the woman myself, however I feel that the fact that she was a former maternity nurse would qualify her to have a say. Some of the most knowledgeable sympathetic and helpful midwives when I was in hospital were the younger staff who had never given birth. Kind of playing devil's advocate, but think it's a valid point.

wow. so arrogant. why should the government have a position on her book?

Her book is not the white paper for child rearing. It is IMPOSSIBLE to follow that book when you have older children who need to go to school

I saw she's writted a book about managing a baby with another child. (Just writing this for balance - haven't read the book!)

babyball that's the point - you don't have to have ANY qualifications to be a maternity nurse. Maternity nurses are NOT mid-wives who have to train and gain qualifications.

SomeMid-wivesBecomeMaternityNursesButThat'sDifferentTiggaxx

Gosh. I've never seen a photo of Gina before.
I didn't realise she looked like that.
Errrrrr....gosh. Don't know what else to say really.

I think this blog is a direct backlash against my comment that she was crap at publicising herself. I said on MN a few weeks ago, words to the effect that MN had done a great deal to give her publicity through MissileBabyGate and that she should therefore be grateful to us. She's clearly decided to up the ante on her publicity as a result of my words. So apologies all, for personally causing this horrible evil to be foisted upon the interweb.

I also have GF-like delusions of grandeur.

I can't believe the mad hysteria on here about something that is not going to even happen. GF is not going to be writing a political blog, her website team are going include in the weekly round up a summary of what is happening in politics.

Given the discussions on her website, it will probably be very boring - hence the reason I come here to read about issues other than babies.

As for "having this horrible evil foisted upon the interweb", you do have a choice,you do not have to read it.

In my opinion, she is a revolting self-publicist who has sadly developed something of a hegemony in childcare simply because her books are the only ones to contain sodding timetables. Poor sleep deprived first-time mummies with no clue what to do fall into the trap of following them because they don't know how else to organise their day. I think she should sod off. I HAVE ABSOLUTELY NO INTEREST in what she thinks about polictical policy. WHO DOES SHE THINK SHE IS? She is just trying to protect her royalties. And I love her comment about bossy politicicans, when she is a complete fascist.

Footstamper, can you please tell me where it says GF is giving her point of view on political policy ?

Priyaaaaag!!! What are you doing copying and pasting that quote from me? Didn't you notice my tongue was firmly rammed into my cheek??! Have a cuppa tea and a chocolate biscuit.