Ruth Kelly

[JanH]

I'm amazed we haven't had a thread on her yet, on the back of DB's departure - she's one of those Superwomen - "Ms Kelly entered Parliament as MP for Bolton West in 1997 and 11 days later gave birth to the first of her four children." (Telegraph .) And she's only 36. Looking forward to lots of sympathetic "how on earth does she do it?" pieces in the Women's sections.

[FlashingRudolphNose]

Paying taxes for me to stay at home?? Am I not a valuable member of society if I don't work and pay tax? What about my DH's tax?

[SuzyStockings]

Rudy - I don't think Fairymums comment was aimed at you. sorry don't mean to stick my nose in.

[walkinginawelshmumwonderland]

I can't bear these debates. Do they really help anyone? They just seem designed to make someone with other life choices feel crap. Why do women insist on piling on the guilt on themselves and then on each other? We're not going to get anywhere with it.

[FlashingRudolphNose]

Hear hear walkinginawelshmumwonderland (phew). I have the utmost respect for WOTHMs and SAHMs - there are pros and cons to each role. I just feel that comments like Color's and Fairymum's do NOTHING to move us forward into a time when women are respected WHATEVER they do. Must leave these threads now before my blood pressure goes through the roof.

[FairyMum]

You'll find if you read my other posts that I am all for choice for parents! My comment was specifically to Color and actually it's true that a lot of the comments working mothers get is that they are only working for themselves, for money, to get away from the kids...It's easily forgotten that we also contribute with money into the public pot and it would be expensive if no mothers wanted to work with the population ageing, people have fewer children etc. It actually makes economic sense that women work!

[LunarSeasonsGreetings]

color seems to forget that for some of us it isn't so much a choice between work and "stay at home" as a between work and "no home".