This was going to be gushy post about how much I love my children etc etc but after watching the most appalling VT of Katie Hopkins (The Apprentice) on The One Show, criticising mothers who stay at home to look after their children I feel compelled to rant for every mother or father who stays at home. I am not quite sure how I am managing to string the words together, after all I watch daytime television all day and sit around eating biscuits at coffee mornings, getting fatter by the day. Imagine how mushy my brain must be after birthing five children, oh how I am doing every mother a disservice for daring to have maternal feelings.
I cannot imagine ever doing anything else other than being there twenty four hours a day for my newborn children, I wanted to see every milestone that each child made and I chose to give up my career to spend as much time as possible with my children.
I understand this doesn’t work for everyone, I understand that some mothers are happier when they go out to work. I also realise that some people don’t have any choice in the matter but I would question anyone that thought it ‘normal’ to go back to work two or three weeks after giving birth.Why bother having children? In all honesty what is the point? How dare Katie Hopkins demand that all mothers go back to work virtually immediately after having their baby, not only would this be totally impractical for most families there is a physical, emotional and hormonal reason a woman’s body does what it does for many weeks and months after having a baby.
I can only assume her views on SAHM’s were made to ensure publicity. I understand that taking time off after giving birth costs employers a lot of money but what would she like us all to do?
I am sick and tired of the attitude of society as a whole on this subject. Having battled for a few years for my position to be recognised I have seen at first hand how little we have moved on, how the role of anyone who ‘just’ stays at home to look after the children is belittled and how the majority of the time this view is made by another woman. Where this attitude counts and impacts on a practical level, for example our legal system and the ‘powers that be’, we are still very much stuck in the dark ages. I can only assume Katie Hopkins has some deep rooted jealousy somewhere and realises that her feelings aren’t normal? Just another blow and put down for women by someone that should know better.
I could go on for hours but I won’t…if you dare, try and find the programme which was shown on BBC1 today at 7pm. If you want to go to bed feeling calm I wouldn’t recommend it though.
Being a SAHM is way harder then any job I’ve ever had. But better too.
I feel really lucky that we have one year mat leave here in Canada. I couldn’ have imagined going back sooner.
It is hard isn’t it. Wow, that’s a good amount of time isn’t it.
I’m so glad I didn’t see that or I’d have been throwing stuff at the telly. It sounds like she was spouting a load of ridiculous nonsense which has got both working and stay-at-home mothers fuming.
Just wanted to add that I have sinced watched this and I wish I hadn’t really. Am still fuming now nearly 24 hours later!!
Sorry for making you watch something that makes you so angry. I’ve calmed down now but utterly ridiculous wasn’t it ! X
Does she have kids of her own?! I definitely agree with notSupermum; she knows people will talk about it and it will generate publicity for her. Any press is good press right? I didn’t see it and won’t watch it because I think I’d get cross too. I’ve always said one of the hardest jobs in the world is being a parent. The pay is non-exsistent and the hours are lousy but the rewards out number all the negatives and it is very fulfilling – something I can only assume she isn’t!
Unbelievable as it sounds yes she does have children?!? 🙁
I saw it and I was furious. After I’d calmed down I decided that she was doing it to provoke people into talking about her, so desperate is she for her 15 minutes of fame to continue. Pathetic excuse for a woman.
I’m sure you are right. I had to get it out though. Women like that do so much damage.
You’re right, this type of thing just causes problems. I was disappointed they didn’t have a counter-argument on the show. It wasn’t balanced at all.
I’m so glad I didn’t see that programme as it would have sent my stress levels stratospheric! She seems to have managed the unique feat of upsetting SAHMs and women who work outside the home. I think that every mother should do whatever works best for her and her family and I would never presume to judge or criticise someone else’s choice. Can we not all just appreciate that different lifestyles and arrangements work for different people?
I couldn’t believe that she said all women should go back to work 2/3 weeks after giving birth. I really hope she doesn’t truly believe that. She was highly critical of any woman staying at home. 🙁
Wow, I think that programme would have had me ranting too! Each to their own but let’s not criticise those who choose a different path. I feel the most important thing I do is provide stability in my DD’s life which basically means being here for her all the time…
I believe everyone should have a choice too…she said all women should go back to work after two/three weeks. How completely impractical would that be for a start without all the health implications for the mother and the stress of it all. Thanks for commenting, I had to get this one out. 🙂