Should auld, WISE and AVID acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind, as long as they continue to shop, 2011 will be of the very best kind

[macmama]

New thread

waves to libra

I am so rubbish I've missed the undercurrent; or maybe it made me feel guilty deep in my subconscious and so I have blanked it But ooooh this is a lovely place to be and I hope you will stay with us.

It was prob me who started this. I think this thread is a great mix of WOH/SAH mums much like RL. I think being a SAHM is great if the choice is open to you, to me its not and prob never will be.

I try to avoid comments other people make about childcare and other things because I can be a bit defensive about the position I find myself in. But the comment about law being un-family friendly did hit a chord for whatever reason not least because I am currently struggling and working hard with trying to make it all work while still being there for my kids.

In my RL a lot of my fave people are or have been SAHMS - my mum, my sister, my SIL, 2 of my best school run mum friends. I think its absolutely brilliant and it would probably be my first choice TBH (as long as I could still afford to shop!). And, what LTEC says about people like her and Plum working late into the evenings to make careers work while still being there for their kids also strikes a chord because I also do this. I think we are all doing very well I don't feel there is any sort of sniping or judgement going on in this thread I was responding specifically to the law stuff which Is fresh in my mind as I have just been filling on a survey on female progression in the law and I do wish I had more women in my firm to share with (but understand why many of them have left completely).

and the whole reason my dh is working away is because we want hisd earning to increase so i can have a bit more choice in my life

but as to what sort of mum i would like to be? like my mum - loving, accepting, a safe haven. she was a sahm but i hope i can recreate some of what she gave me even tho i am working

just had friends for lunch, he is a sahd, she is working in tv - its hard on both of them in equal measures - ultimatelt we are all doing our best tho. no prizes for being a martyr!

If i was a sahm i would still like a cleaner for example ! i am no superwoman i sort of bumble along chaotically,

abo, I think it hides your amazing figure cf purple dress in previous photo. There's better stuff out there for you!!

group hug everyone

Goodness it made such a change today to have no rain, no snow just (a little bit of) sun! I can't wait to hide my puffa coat in the depths of my wardrobe.

I've thought of a spring purchase I'd like to share. It is this handbag. Not quite Bonsoir's Celine but it has been widely admired so far, goes brilliantly with my navy breton stuff and the leather is soooo soft.

cuddled up with my girls on the couch, the best therapy of all.

i really was trying to talk specifically about law and say that you can try and work in a family friendly way following eshers comment - i waS not having a "sah/woh debate" anyone who knows me knows i would love to be home more and that most of my fave females work in the home.

i dont think working ft is anything to be emulated - i do it because i have to. but while i have to do it, i want to enjoy it and progress if i can, that was my point. accept this thread was a silly place to make the point but it never comes across properly in posts wherever made so sorry all

MacMama I understand. The City is a hard place to exist, and there are very few who find a balance. Let's hope we can be two of them.

MM - cuddling is indeed the very best - now please stop worrying

Ooooh - I love it! I never really look in antropologie but must start.

thanks hells

i did get a bit silly reacting to the comment about law not being family friendly of course its not compared to being at home my concept of family friendly is relative!

my defensiveness tells a story!!

Eeek! Victoria Beckham is pregnant again! Maternitywear icon for you, Carciofi?!!

So that's why she had her fantastic plastics removed!

Esher, how's it going getting yr DD to eat a wider range of food. I have plans to do the same this year, although so far her evening meals have been very much based around 101 way with mince, as per-am too tired by then to face teh music. However, I have had mucho success with these rabbit training chopsticks. She's just eaten a tofu/veg/noodle stirfry, which would never have happened with a knife and fork. Whole house now COVERED with noodles, mind you.

Have been cooking a big lunch for grandparents, etc and only just caught up (started earlier post around 10am but didn't post til much later).

I am sorry if I managed to open a can of worms or caused any offense! Was only wondering if esher was at law school in Guildford at the same time as my sister!
I was agreeing with mac that most professions are not always well set up for women with families, not meaning to run SAHMs/ part time workers or anyone else down, so I hope no one took it the wrong way.
Anyway, I see that everything has been resolved. We all do what works best for us or at least try to make the best of what we need to do.
As someone who has only joined recently and an occasional poster, I am v impressed by the talents of you all; from craft and cooking to organisational skills to those who manage to exercise so regularly to those who manage to care for 3 pre schoolers!

oooh- so pleased you are staying :)

LTEC- I do hope your MIL doesn't ever come on MN!

carciofi- your DD is beautiful, as are you!

everything- you sound so fed up- I am really sorry that you are having a rubbish time (sounds stupid to say it as I don't even know you)! I am 100% confident that things will be better soon.
I bumped into an acquaintance in the supermarket the other day who left her DH a year+ ago and she seemed so happy and relaxed! I am sure that you will be the same soon :)

ollie- I like the coat. The concert sounds marvellous! I used to be v involved in music when I was younger and to go to concerts regularly. I would love to be able to do so again when the DC are a bit older. Who was the violinist out of interest?

I don't know if anyone can help me I have taken the plunge and been trying to add a few pics to my profile. I managed one but every time I try to add another, it comes up with error :(
Does anyone know what I am doing wrong?

carciofi agree with Looby you and your DD are stunning!

ABO, I like the dress on you. You could belt it (brown/black leather?) if you can bear to go shorter. I don't see why not, you have great legs. So I'd say more yeah than nay but with a belt to show of your lovely waist.

LTEC, I loved your l, r and c .

Libra, just wanted to say, your name always makes me smile as I read it as Libra is 'shaving' a biscuit .

Marsha, I think you definitely need a hat with those shoes, to get the MJ look right. I love hats and wore them a lot when I was younger (mainly to cover up my roots). These days I prefer not to draw too much attention to myself. I might feel differently if I was buzzing around London more.

About London, I have to say that people were very polite and helpful the other day in the shops. I was v. impressed. Also met a lovely lady and her 2 gorgeous six foot tall blonde daughters on the train and we travelled together, chatting all the while. It was so nice.

looby, go to 'my mumsnet', click on 'photos', then 'start a gallery' then choose a file, click on the 'browse ' button to find the photo you want from your computer, then click on 'send file'. When that photo comes up, click on 'save'.
Maybe there's another problem. I'm sure you'll have got this far already.

For those fans of Westfield out there - pretty much all of us? - did you know that they are building one next to the Olympic Village which is supposed to be the BIGGEST SHOPPING CENTRE IN EUROPE.

I'm probably behind the times but hearing this news on Friday made my day. And it should be super well connected on the transport front. 2012 meet up anyone??

OWW runs in with "did you know that VB is pregnant?" news!

DM alert

Ooooh to VB being pregnant - didn't we suspect as much when she was pictured looking very sick the morning after some party back in December

Oooooh pretty bag!

ABO - not sure about that tunic. Think it swamps you a bit and also I don't like that colour but know I'm on dangerous territory with that comment

Hells - I do love you Hey everyone lets talk about the weather

Right - in-laws still here and I'm meant to be warming up milk for DD.

Could I have used any more emoticons in that post!

Group hugs all round indeed!

It's all a balance/juggling act no matter what anyone does. We just do the very best we can - and that's good enough

Tracey I will PM you but I see we have a link on FB!

Glad to hear the house plans are progressing. We will discussing Granite v Wood worktops next!

Esher Hope dd is on the mend. Bo Concept has just opened in Guildford.

Ooooh Welcome!

Any tips for a dd's 3rd Birthday party? We may end up with 14 children and 30 adults here next Saturday

Training chopsticks a huge hit in this house too plum

lol at tracey. The colour is definitely an autumn, but not a wow . Nervous of doing figure hugging and short for everyday; wouldn't that be tarty? Although clearly not good if I look swamped Would love more opinions...

Love the bag ooooh and very excited that a Westfield-a-like is coming to my side of town!

looby are your photos very big? It doesn't cope with with very large files and shrinking them down might help.

Hmmm - should have read thread before posting! - Sorry Plum!

abo it doesn't do your lovely figure justice.

hello Libra and happy 2011 to you too

looby MiL coming on MN is the least of my worries. I recently found out that she and my 2 siLs read my blog where I am far less anonymous!! (and no more polite)