Julia Frogspawn – Work-Life Balance – The Woman’s Hour Riposte...

[extremelychocolateymilkroll]

Jane Garvey and Barbara Want lay into her here.

[BonsoirAnna]

She doesn't want it all, she wants all the fun and money and to leave all the dross and working around others to other people.

[AmIOdetteOrOdile]

All I could think was that by the time I had worked out how to download a podcast I would have had the washing up done, and probably be on to my next meal .

[hatwoman]

whilst listening to the news...?

[hatwoman]

am feeling v. frustrated by this thread because I can't listen to it (broadband not working, dongle too slow).

[Monkeytrousers]

lol MP. We got a dishwasher. I agree that idea was totally inane and if its typical of the rest it doesn't bode well. But well, if its shit idea why bother getting her on to talk about it. If it's that crap, its hardly a challenge to refute it. Why bother? Maybe that's whats bothering me. I spent 10 minutes listening to that when I could have been doing my kegels whilst making rocking chairs out of clothes pegs. Now I just feel cheated.

[morningpaper]

lol dittany I DID Notice that she doesn't do washing up, according to her previous articles

poor old Julia, aren't we mean?

[BonsoirAnna]

MT - I disagree that it was pointless to get her on.

There are lots of women out there (inc some on MN ) who think that they deserve for the world to bend over backwards to meet their very special needs as mothers who also want to retain all the other fun identities they have ever had and keep a finger in every pie. It is very valid to point out to those women that they are not really so especially deserving and that there are other deserving people on the planet.

[Monkeytrousers]

How do these people get published? In a recession too!

[EachPeachPearMum]

I was surprised at how high her voice was actually
Sorry- nothing more intelligent to say today

[MrsBadger]

oh pleeeease can we have her on to do a live webchat?

[does very quiet chicken impression in reference to a previous webchatter who bottled at the last minute]

[Monkeytrousers]

Maybe so Anna. Maybe so..

[Grammaticus]

The one that said "That's just life" summed it up really, for me. And then went on to point out that Julia's husband is at home. I liked that one.

Julia seems a silly old bag, doesn't she.

[traceybath]

I've got a brilliant suggestion for her - put radio4 on whilst washing up. Revolutionary i know.

[SwedesInACape]

Julia Frogspawn sounds identical to Delia Smith.

[SwedesInACape]

Flexiblism? Ha. It makes me want to laugh out loud.

[cyteen]

"If it's that crap, its hardly a challenge to refute it. Why bother? Maybe that's whats bothering me. I spent 10 minutes listening to that when I could have been doing my kegels whilst making rocking chairs out of clothes pegs. Now I just feel cheated."

Surely a contender for quote of the week

[2Happy]

Hmph, am glad I found this thread. I caught a small amount of the programme in the car on Monday and it put me in a foul mood the whole day. That stupid inane twerp. Instead of parent's evening, let's all have the parents phoning the teacher at home at a time to suit the parent, and that's her idea of work/life balance?!! I'm not a teacher and it still had me fuming. Idiot.

[Monkeytrousers]

Oh Cyteen, I've never had a nomination before. I already feel like a winner!

[Monkeytrousers]

Or as my son is want to say these days 2happy, 'you imberfool!'

[Northernlurker]

Thanks so much for linking this! I haven't had such a good laugh for a while.

A few points:

Julia started off by saying parents had to ask for flexible working but there was no right to it. If your child is under six you have the statutory right to request it in fact - though it may not be granted. So that gave me a giggle.

Barbara Want was absolutely right (imo) when she made the point about women balancing work and family right through history - why do we have to keep re-inventing the wheel on this one? Good to see the daughter of a historian being put right on matters of historical perspective. So that gave me a giggle.

But best of all JH said she thought it was very dangerous when women try to proscribe what other women should do! I couldn't believe my ears so I listened again then I laughed my head off. How Barbara and Jane didn't crack up or punch I'll never know! Daft thing has just written a book with tips on how we should do life, on what we need out of life - if that isn't telling me what to do then what is it??

Anyway - 'tis all good fun.

I think they should get Barbara Want on for a chat actually - she sounds like she's got a brain. Julia on the otherhand can stay at home doing the washing up!

[2Happy]

imberfool

[pointydog]

can't stop laughing at poppy's comment 'done up by a kipper'. ah, the tears...