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Original poster

Sunday Times article about working women by India Knight.........

531 replies

ssd · 09/01/2006 18:32

Did you read it and if you did what did you think?

FWIW I agree with her, will probably be stoned now.

OP posts:
stinkweasel · 10/01/2006 09:49

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orangina · 10/01/2006 09:50

Before I became a mother, I never understood why everyone had to attack each other for their choices rather than accept that differing circumstances, needs and childcare philosophies lead everyone to make different decisions, most of which must be equally valid and neither "right" or "wrong". I assumed that once I became a mother, it would all become clearer and I would inevitably choose a side, but no, I am still equally baffled as to why some people have to assume that their way and their choices are the only acceptable options and that everyone else falls somewhere in the Bad Mother camp. The whole smug mum thing is so unattractive darlings! What about a greater attempt at understanding and a bit more support as mothers and as human beings?

stinkweasel · 10/01/2006 09:50

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Wordsmith · 10/01/2006 09:52

Hmmm - lots of X-posting there. Glad I have mad myself clear. I do Not think educating women who then become SAHMs is a waste of time, but it is just as logical an argument as 'why have children'. That's all I was saying! The fact is, for many if not most of us, we simply wouldnot be able to resume a career trajectory if we took five years off. End of story.

stinkweasel · 10/01/2006 09:52

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Wordsmith · 10/01/2006 09:52

Stinkweasel - no I hadn't seen it! Sorry.

stinkweasel · 10/01/2006 09:53

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bossykate · 10/01/2006 09:54

india knight smoked during her second pregnancy so she is an utter hypocrite banging on about child welfare for that reason alone in my view.

Wordsmith · 10/01/2006 09:55

SW: you haven't said it at all. Sorry. Confusing you with someone else. can we be well-educated friends again?

stinkweasel · 10/01/2006 09:56

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stinkweasel · 10/01/2006 09:56

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harpsichordcarrier · 10/01/2006 09:56

bk is that true??
oooh
as far as I can se she has about six articles that she recycles on a rota, just moving the words around a bit
money for old rope

CountessDracula · 10/01/2006 09:57

I agree a 10 hour day is too long. DD started nursery at 2.5, 4 days a week, but I kept our nanny on part time (thorough bribery) to pick her up at 3.30 each day and bring her home. I wanted her to have 1 on 1, time to chill out at home etc. However I realise I am in a fortunate position to be able to do this. I figured that when she starts school she will need after school care and the continuity of the same nanny (who I knew before she was born and she has known since birth) would be the best care I could provide if I chose to keep working.

The thought of an after school club to me is not a nice one. I can remember the joy at getting out of school at 3.30. TBH you may as well be a boarder if you are only at home one hour a day.

orangina · 10/01/2006 09:59

Is anyone here a journalist who would care to write a long wordy article for say The Daily Mail about the perils of reading articles about Bad Mothering by Evil-Smoking-in-Pregnancy-Mothers-Who-Really-Should-Know-Better?

I think that's the only way to settle it.....

harpsichordcarrier · 10/01/2006 10:02

actually bozza I thin kmost children WOULD be better off at home than in after school clubs FWIW - over a certain age.

yoyo · 10/01/2006 10:03

So my university education was a waste of time then? I worked hard at my job prior to having children and I now work hard at my job of parenting them. If my DH hadn't left it so late to decide on a career and then chose one where he has to work very long hours I may have returned to work. As it is I have chosen to be at home as for us this is the best solution to our childcare requirements.
My education is reflected in my children and I really take issue with the very idea that education is wasted on mothers.

Wordsmith · 10/01/2006 10:05

Oh FFS - read my subsequent posts on the subject. I wasn't saying that at all.

CountessDracula · 10/01/2006 10:05

Oh agree, what a load of crap that is, why should mothers not be educated?

Actually I have been seriously considering giving up work to spend more time with dd. I would still send her to nursery some of the time, I think she needs it.

3princesses · 10/01/2006 10:06

Am struck dumb (almost) by the audacious hypocrisy of IK. Only about a year ago I was moved (for the first and only time, which is why it sticks in my mind) to email her directly and rant about an article she had written about how DULL SAHMs are, and how she had tried it and it turned her brain to porridge and made her husband justifiably contemplate an affair.

Mercy · 10/01/2006 10:06

Countess, yes it's the lack of high-quality, affordable childcare that frightens me. I don't have a career, just a job, so when I become a WOHM, my choices with regard to work and childcare will be somewhat limited. (the after school club here is dire and a lot of the childminders have waiting lists)

CountessDracula · 10/01/2006 10:07

Yes but I assume she was advocating having a highly paid job and employing a nanny

Why not dig it out and send to her again?

3princesses · 10/01/2006 10:08

Will see if I can find it!

Psychobabble · 10/01/2006 10:11

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Caligula · 10/01/2006 10:12

God, so India Knight is actually Glenda Slagg in disguise?

yoyo · 10/01/2006 10:12

Wordsmith - don't think I've had an FFS directed at me before but am sure it won't be the first time. In fact I had typed my message earlier, got distracted by DS then pressed the button before checking to see other posts.

Many people do hold this opinion and have made their opinions known to me. Even my parents comment on my "wasted years" so I am ever so slightly touchy about the whole subject.