Live online chat with The Rt Hon Beverley Hughes MP, Minister for Children, on Thursday 24th May 1-2pm

[carriemumsnet]

Hi all

Ok this is your chance to have your say about what, in an ideal world, you'd like to happen to childcare, nurseries and pre-schools (as well as debate what's happening in the sometimes non ideal world). The Rt Hon Beverley Hughes, Minister for Children and mum of three, will be joining us for a lunchtime chat on Thursday 24th May, so bring your sarnies, get your questions ready and join us then. For those of you who have unavoidable lunchtime commitments (and letters from your mum to prove it) we'll let you post your questions in advance here. For the rest of you, we'll see you on the 24th.

it is ridiculous to suggest that anyone who wants breastfeeding to be more actively promoted and for women to get more support it trying to make formula feeding mothers feel bad. Absolutely ridiculous.Sorry.

Well, this was interesting....

I think it answered more of the questions I hadnt actually asked.......

I look forward to speaking with Ivan.

Unless Hunker is made Minister for Breastfeeding in the meantime, which she absolutely should be!

HANG ON A MINUTE! Er, I wasn't asking the domestic violence question from a personal pov, so I didn't need the answer

"There are helplines throughout the UK that can offer you [MY BOLD ITALICS] practical help and advice including emergency refuge accommodation, safety planning and advice, translation facilities if you have difficulty communicating in English. The number for the English national domestic violence helpline is 0808 2000247"

Er, actually, I am very happily married to someone who is not violent and yep, I know the number should I ever need it but er, thanks for that Beverley.

I didn't ask for the number fo the national dom violence helpline fffs.

I do appreciate the strong feelings on here, but to be fair Carrie's original post did say BH would answer questions on childcare, nurseries and pre-schools. Although I completely agree that BH should have clarified her remit once she saw all the questions about bf etc.

Morechoc - I can vouch for the people on here who were asking the tough questions that they are in no way in the business of making mums feel guilty for being unable to bf. And I should know, believe me. Stick around for a while and have a read of the feeding threads and you'll get to know where we're all coming from.

Cammelia, I get your point about the guilt thing.

I feel guilty when I see starving children on the TV while I'm sitting there eating a big dinner with my children. However, I know it is irrational guilt, because its not my fault. I do not expect charities to stop talking or broadcasting about the issue, just because it makes me feel bad to see it.

Thats the point I'm trying to make. Sometimes we have to take responsibility for our guilt, and not pass the blame on to others because we feel that way.

lol www, 'i see that you're on the internet asking me a tough question so if you wanted this DV no you could get it yourself, but let me dodge the issue altogether by talking to you as if you're too thick to google for yourself...'

Absolutely Aitch, I wouldn't have minded being ignored, being patronised is worse imnsho.

hmmmm, i didn't much like being ignored.

I have to say www, having had 24 hours to think about it, I am far more annoyed at her response to your question in particular than any of the other 'issues'.

I think it was an abysmal response to a Very Serious subject.

Thanks VVV, I asked 3 questions:

• What's her remit?
• What about secrecy in family courts (Sally Clarke etc)
• What about courts ordering contact with violent men, which has resulted in the death of women and children

And the response was the number for the helpline, which I a) don't need, I am not in an abusive relationship and b) is irrelevant c) doesn't remotely answer the question.

Ridiculous.

I'd say, from what information I could glean from her responses, that her answers are as follows:

a) She doesnt really know.
b) She doesnt know enough about the case to actually understand how to answer.
c) A combination of the above two answers.

I think you could have a more meaningful dialogue with the Monty Python crew in character.

"I think you could have a more meaningful dialogue with the Monty Python crew in character."

Kind of sums up the whole exercise really, doesn't it?

Please please please can we have that as the quote of the week?

just read thread.

can't understand why the answers were so formal on an informal platform.

she did treat those answers she did give as Answers for Mothers = Answers for Non-Voters.

very condesending, especially the non-retort on breastfeeding.

it's sad to think these people are running the country!