Posts
... by two things, one in the mummyblogosphere and one tangentially so.
I'm not sure if there's a copyright (or etiquette) related issue why I shouldn't do this, so apologies if so, but I have to highlight Gaby Hinsliff's article in yesterday's Observer. Gaby is, or used to be, the political editor of the paper and she has just given up to be with her son. She writes wonderfully, movingly, well about her emotions, motivations and doubts.
We buy a paper every week, just so we can look as though we still have interests outside the four walls of our home, the tube and the office, but this is the first time in weeks I've actually read it. And even then, I was interrupted by two calls from work and one poo from L - which I think says it all about this working mum thing. I am so glad I did. Gaby has articulated so many of the thoughts that have been hurtling round this thing I have that used to be a brain, and if I do eventually decide to hand in my notice, a copy of her article will be attached to my resignation letter...
If you haven't read it, do, and then have a look at Gaby's blog, but if you haven't time, here is the bit that did it for me:
"I don't honestly believe that either [work/childcare] suffered from the other. But what got lost in the rush was a life, if a life means having time for the people you love, engaging with the world around you, making a home rather than just running a household."
When someone else is putting it as wonderfully as that, I wonder why I am scratching away at my keyboard, failing to put into words the same thoughts.
But, just as I was about to lose faith in my blog, I saw this and was moved to tears again (possibly I may be a little hormonal at the moment) I am officially the British Mummy Blogger of the week! Is it pathetic to be this proud and delighted? Thank you very much to Potty Mummy for giving me the confidence to keep going. I am loving blogging, and if I do ever decide to show my copy of Gaby's article to my boss, at least I will have my blog to keep those little grey cells (or lack thereof) ticking over.
Monday 2 November 2009
5 comments:
I know. I'm sorry. I hate these word recognition, are you a robot, guff things too, but having just got rid of a large number of ungrammatical and poorly spelt adverts for all sorts of things I don't want, and especially don't want on my blog, I'm hoping that this will mean that only lovely people, of the actually a person variety, will comment.
So please do. Comments are great...
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I think the interesting thing about the Observer article is not that she's giving 'it' all up to be with her son, she's just looking for a different way of doing 'it' .
ReplyDeleteIts a very very clever article in that it can be read many different ways and taken positively whatever 'your' (whichever working mum it happens to be) situation.
ahem, tis i, gaby hinsliff....
ReplyDeleteam so glad you enjoyed the piece and thanks for taking the time to comment on my blog - which gave me the chance to find your much more coherent one!
am awestruck that with 3 under 3 and a demanding job you find the time to blog as well, makes me feel deeply feeble. the more of us scratching away at the keyboard on this particular issue the better: hopefully we can all learn from each other.
good luck with whatever choices you make and keep in touch - am dead curious to know what happens to everyone who makes the leap!
Firstly, congratulations for your well deserved "Blogger of the week" title. Secondly, thanks so much for sharing this article. With only 10 weeks of maternity left my days are full of soul searching, trying to clutch at the last precious moments with my daughter before the stresses of being an employee, a mother and a wife all collide. I've chosen to go back part time and we're lucky in that my husband and I can share most of the childcare due to shift work but something still doesn't sit right. I used to be love work, constantly thinking about and working towards promotion. Little Legs changed all that. Now I have to take a leap of faith and decide whats right for her and us as a family. Money means I may not have a choice but this article has certainly provided food for thought.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous - you are absolutely right. My fear of doing something bloggingly incorrect kept me from plagiarising (aka quoting) more of the article, but the other bit that had me nodding in agreement was the wryly accurate list of the good things about working - of which money isn't necessarily at the top of the list - it certainly isn't for me (I'm not earning enough!) But, yes, whichever way I decide to go, I realise I (as will we all) will be "giving up" something. Which is why the decision is so hard.
ReplyDeleteHello! Congratulations on your blog and award. A very interesting read. All the best as you wrestle through these issues.
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