India Knight at it again

[EdgarAllenSnow]

here she goes

although she seems to be quoting the other lady, Elisabeth Badinter, i think she doesn't weight this piece particularly evenly... despite her conclusion being 'whatever does it for you is what you should do' for their mothering choices, the picture painted of breastfeeding cloth-nappy using own-puree food making types (such as, haha, myself) is not a pretty one.

Personally the above 3 options save me countless amounts of money every year (ok, about £2k - 1k booby milk, £500 nappies £500 using cheap veg/ home cooking rather than 80p per jar baby food - so not countless) Feminism has nothing to do with it.

Oh and also because IK right, it was ironic to begin with, but then it all got dreadfully serious

I agree with every word IK says

Anyway all this a far cry from the French lady and people scrubbing nappies on hemp washboards or whatever

they are iced buns. Yes they ARE!

I b/f my kids til a year, I love home cooking, but cooking is something i do for pleasure. Ditto baking. But dh is equally good and find of cooking. And actually, ds does most of the bun-making in our house now.
I could never have anyone doing my cleaning for me, as it would require me to clean up before she/he came.

I like growing my own veg. It woud be easier, cheaper to buy from Tesco, I'm sure, but those 'shackles' are ones I willingly don. The fresh air and excercise alone is my reward, never mind that feeling of really providing for my family.

some people don't see cleaning/home making as drudgery. Good for them.

There is always something about vanity purchases (which such items undoubtedly are) that has something to do with "dressing the part". In that sense you are right.

But you could buy all sorts of household equipment that would have the same effect of making you feel as if you have purchased a shortcut to being a better housewife. Witness the fantasy kitchen thread this afternoon - buying a fancy kitchen won't make you into a good cook, will it?

Elisabeth Badinter would think I am psychiatrically deranged to make the kind of lifestyle choices I do! Educated French women have a really hard time understanding why anyone would choose not to work FT in a demanding profession if they were qualified and experienced enough to do so.

Yes, I agree with you Bonsoir. Though I guess you might think a fantasy kitchen could release your inner cook. You'd make such great meals, so many fairy cakes, if only the door to your oven hadn't fallen off, and if you had room for one of Nigella's american mixing machines. Etcetera

I like certain domestic jobs. I don't have a cleaner as after sitting at work all day and a long commute, it is satisfying to dash about the house cleaning. I like doing the dishes, like mopping the floor. If I loathe a job (cleaning bathroom, hoovering, garden) I give it to DP or DD to do. I do the recycling though which I hate.

There is also a nice feeling in having certain domestic equipment - I love my Le Creuset stuff, and have some lovely knives which I am inexplicably fond of.

I am far far from perfect by any means but I do my best - I may be slightly crap at some things but I can't be arsed with going down the guilt road. Easier said than done though.

LOL.

DP thought a new ski ensemble for Christmas might release my inner ski champion .

No, I don't feel guilt either, actually that's not true. Sometimes I do.

Though I must confess to hating almost all domestic chores, they're so dull - and repetitive. I don't dwell on them though, I just do them, shrug and walk off.

I don't mind putting clean clothes away. There is some satisfaction in that. I like the washing machine too - it says ORDER.

LOL Bonsoir - I thought a new pair trainers would free my inner tennis player. We're all vulnerable.

Indeed. Better to learn the lesson with a pair of trainers or a ski jacket than some expensive new kitchen though.

I thought new gym kit = gym lover and ace triathlon expert, leading to perfect abs and bikini body in 6 weeks.

Nah, still hate the gym and half the time get off the treadmill out of sheer boredom and can't-be-arsedness and go and have a coffee instead.

Don't look like Heidi Klum yet.

Am not going to feel guilty about that one either

There ain't no shortcuts...