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Original poster

Mothering Madness

48 replies

flum · 12/05/2005 11:15

Anyone seen the Times 2 this morning article about a woman who moved from France to Washington (USA) and was staggered by all the crazy cookie baking, school inspecting, extra curricular activities by the American mummies

It was very interesting

OP posts:
zebraX · 12/05/2005 11:20

link?

Original poster
flum · 12/05/2005 11:22

Ermmm it was in the real newspaper.

will look on their site though

OP posts:
ghosty · 12/05/2005 11:27

I have to say that when I moved to NZ I was shaken to the core at the 'home baking' phenomenon. Kiwi women NEVER EVER go to someone's house with a packet of bought biscuits ... always home baked muffins or scones made freshly that morning.
I invited some friends round for lunch the other week and they brought so much home made stuff (soup, bread etc) that I didn't have to put out my food at all
I have to say that I have been sucked in and now bake regularly!

Original poster
flum · 12/05/2005 11:28

ermm here it isi hope

OP posts:
Original poster
flum · 12/05/2005 11:44

long isn't it...................

OP posts:
Original poster
flum · 12/05/2005 12:14

obvioulsy all too busy baking and organising fantastiv birthday parties and playdates then.

OP posts:
Original poster
flum · 12/05/2005 12:16

oh my day is ruined am now hopelessly jealous of everyone I know. was happier in my ignorance.

never mind have a healthy baby, my dp adores me, and the sun is shining. life is still beautiful

OP posts:
Original poster
flum · 12/05/2005 12:17

oh burger wrong thread. that previous message

OP posts:
Bozza · 12/05/2005 13:00

Just read some of the article and I can definitely recognise some of myself in it Flum. I have actually taken the day off work to make DD's first birthday cake and prepare for her party on Sunday. Not done anything so far, its such a nice day I've been too busy gardening. But all that will mean is that I am panicking trying to make a chocolate hedgehog and mini muffins at 11pm on Saturday!

Original poster
flum · 12/05/2005 13:01

mmm, i don't think i am really like that but then only have one easy peasy teeny weeny dd. but i did make 3 birthday cakes for her - as they kept coming out flat!!!

OP posts:
zebraX · 12/05/2005 13:07

Hmmm... let's see, the people who were profiled in the book are ... a cancer specialist, a high profile journalist, and live in "affluent neighborhoods"....

Well, pretty representive of the population as a whole, especially working middle-class women in the USA, wouldn't you say? -- NOT.

Original poster
flum · 12/05/2005 13:07

yeah but it did say that it was about upper middle class tbf

OP posts:
Surfermum · 12/05/2005 13:26

If I took my home made cakes to someone else's house I'd never be invited back.

slug · 12/05/2005 16:02
tarantula · 12/05/2005 16:21

Think Id feel like a smug mammy who was boasting/a cheapskate if I took homemade stuff to friends house. Dunno why cos Im not bad at knocking up sponges etc. Be a damn sight cheaper than a bottle of wine mind but not near as much fun

LunarSea · 12/05/2005 16:30

There's a lot in that article which rings bells. It's very similar to some of what's in Alison Pearson's "I don't know how she does it" - faking home made mince pies etc.

lunavix · 12/05/2005 16:34

The people at my playgroups etc don't even make homemade baby purees etc so I think they'd look at me like a 'super empowering NCT breast-feeding for 10 years ' type mummy if I ever showed up with home baked goodies.

Ds's godmother stuck cheese and pineapple on a stick into a cucumber to make a crocodile (annabel karmel thing) for ds's first birthday party and they thought it was insane!

expatinscotland · 12/05/2005 16:40

Anyone who brings a Thornton's cake or plonk - or both - is welcome in my home !

slug · 12/05/2005 16:41

OK I admit that I get the sluglet to help with the baking, then can claim its hers.

zebraX · 12/05/2005 20:43

Slug! Where have you been?

ghosty · 12/05/2005 20:56

Ah, but slug ... you are a kiwi are you not???

moondog · 12/05/2005 21:03

I scratch my head in confusion when I hear that 'we' are always being made to feel that we have to do it all. What a load of shite! Most of the people I know feed their kids crap,watch too much tv,are lazy slatterns,can't cook and would never dream of organising a proper birthday party.

I do all the cooking,housework and creative stuff because I like it,not because i am made to feel I should. However,I've stopped inviting people round for dinner because none of them can be arsed to return the invitation.

NotQuiteCockney · 12/05/2005 21:07

I bake. I don't clean etc, but I like baking.

Surfermum · 12/05/2005 21:13

One of the mums in our toddler group brings lovely, scrummy sponge cakes. We love her.

moondog · 12/05/2005 21:16

I love cooking,ironing,cleaning,washing windows,shopping for food and organising my cupboards until they are just so. I really do!

However I also enjoy drinking too much wine,ignoring everyone and reading for hours,sleeping in,avoiding 'kiddie' activities and just relaxing.......

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