Mrs M
yoda762190 BUSY DAYS ON THE TROT
February 26th 2007 03:34
Well I’ve had another busy day today doing the usual domestic type stuff, entertaining the children, feeding the children, feeding myself (don’t laugh, there are some days when I’m too tired to do that).
I even tried to squeeze in an hour of television today. I wanted to watch “The Catch Up” – the new chat show on Channel 9 at 1pm. It is aimed at people like me. Stay home parents who have a brain in their head needing some intellectual stimulation as well as some light hearted gossip and fashion to allow me one guilty pleasure in my very responsible day.
It was a challenge to keep the kids at bay for an hour. I managed it, but it took some creativity on my part and when that failed, I ordered they have a rest in their beds until I came and got them.
But it is crazy that I have to fight and juggle to watch one hour of television. Now we are all aware how difficult it is to be a stay home parent. It is a subject that has been discussed far and wide with many statistics to back up the argument. Many agree that full time parenting does deserve more credit than it is given. So why do I feel as though nothing has changed?
It’s no secret that the current parenting payments are structured to favour parents who want to stay at home. Fantastic. Parents don’t have to be forced to go back to work. But what about the ones that do want to go back to work?
It is also no secret that the longer a parent, especially a mother, is out of the workforce, the harder it is to get back in – let alone trying to pick up where they left off. So it makes sense to try and keep working is some fashion, so as to not disadvantage yourself too much when you do want to get back into full time work. Oh but hang on, what about the financial side. Remember, the federal government favours the ones who stay home.
Why is it when someone asks me what I do I tell them I’m a stay home mum and their facial reaction just says “oh”. When I add that I also write all of a sudden I have validated myself as a member of society.
Why?
Obviously rhetoric, although a good start, alone will not change the status of full time parenting. What will?
I even tried to squeeze in an hour of television today. I wanted to watch “The Catch Up” – the new chat show on Channel 9 at 1pm. It is aimed at people like me. Stay home parents who have a brain in their head needing some intellectual stimulation as well as some light hearted gossip and fashion to allow me one guilty pleasure in my very responsible day.
It was a challenge to keep the kids at bay for an hour. I managed it, but it took some creativity on my part and when that failed, I ordered they have a rest in their beds until I came and got them.
But it is crazy that I have to fight and juggle to watch one hour of television. Now we are all aware how difficult it is to be a stay home parent. It is a subject that has been discussed far and wide with many statistics to back up the argument. Many agree that full time parenting does deserve more credit than it is given. So why do I feel as though nothing has changed?
It’s no secret that the current parenting payments are structured to favour parents who want to stay at home. Fantastic. Parents don’t have to be forced to go back to work. But what about the ones that do want to go back to work?
It is also no secret that the longer a parent, especially a mother, is out of the workforce, the harder it is to get back in – let alone trying to pick up where they left off. So it makes sense to try and keep working is some fashion, so as to not disadvantage yourself too much when you do want to get back into full time work. Oh but hang on, what about the financial side. Remember, the federal government favours the ones who stay home.
Why is it when someone asks me what I do I tell them I’m a stay home mum and their facial reaction just says “oh”. When I add that I also write all of a sudden I have validated myself as a member of society.
Why?
Obviously rhetoric, although a good start, alone will not change the status of full time parenting. What will?
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Comment by katyzzz
Photography Tips
MS Paint Art
As the song goes, "taking it easy". I always figure the dust will be there long after I'm dead and gone. What was that song "whatsa matter now, havin' no regrets etc....such a simple ditty and it was SOOOO popular.
Love and stuff.....ah, yes, I remember it well.....
katyzzz
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
I know the song you mean - I love The Eagles. I've often blasted The Eagles through the stereo while I'm doing the housework. It's one of my coping mechanisms. Dusting is less annoying while I'm singing Hotel California at the top of my lungs.
And yes, who could forget Joe Dolce.
Thanks for the visit and the comment.
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by DuskDevi
Rugby World Cup 2007
When therapists become tired of hearing
"...my mum/dad/parent was never there for me..."
Be well Mrs M...did Yoda and the paduwans took over the bed again??
Dusk
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
So this generation of new parents are paying the price for the mistakes the old generation made. Interesting thought.
It's always the way though. The next generation always pays the price for the mistakes of generations past. Who am I to break with tradition?
And yes, you would think that yoda with all his jedi training could get the paduwans to stay in their bed. Jedi master my foot.
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by DuskDevi
Rugby World Cup 2007
Ohhhh no. I didn't mean to convey that it's the faults of the foreparents.
I am just over this victim mentality that this generation and society as we now know it, feeds on and off.
Personal responsibility is a thing of the past.
I suppose the next generation will come up with something..."My parents were always there for me...it's made me too dependant..." or something like that!
These people who do turn up their noses at hearing someone is a fulltime parent...were they not children once?
Who knows?
We all do the best we can.
Hope you're gaving a lovely day...the sun seems to be breaking through the clouds...one more day of summer left...
Dusk