Month: February 2016

A letter to the BBC – Parents unite (and share!)

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Tonight I saw on my Facebook news feed an article from BBC News interviewing people and generally making a bit of a fuss about the #motherhoodchallenge. I am sorry, but BBC, you need to wise up. What a load of complete shite for want of a better word. I am sorry, but this has prompted me to loose my rag ever so slightly. Apologies for the potty mouth, but this has rather pushed my ‘angry mummy’ buttons.

For those not in the know, this is a bit like the ice bucket challenge but is not for any particular cause. Parents nominate each other on Facebook, and add a couple of photos that make them proud to be a parent, then tag mummy/daddy friends. The fact that people are tagging for no particular charitable cause apparently causes irritation. Obviously, this is a BBC editorial ruse to cause a bit of an internet stir by getting some junior reporter to write something inflammatory, then publish it on social media. However, in my opinion, it shows a sack-able editorial naivety.

Don’t get me wrong, I am all for charitable facebook gigs. I am in fact the legal trustee of a national parenting charity as well as a regular volunteer at a charity for suffers and families of terminal illness. This does not mean that I think anyone tagging a challenge for non-charitable reasons should be slated. I join in the charitable, and the non charitable. Parents should be supported.

Lets put it in context shall we. Currently, we are facing a high level of terrorist threat in this country, we have mothers and school children running off to join Daesh, abused elephants in Thailand, an astronaut reporting from space, an immigration crisis and an EU standoff. Obviously, therefore, we need to start a debate about mums being asked to think about what makes them feel good, and share it with their friends.

Motherhood is the shitting hardest job IN THE UNIVERSE! PND is prevalent, and frankly, BBC, publishing this kind of tripe should result in an automatic fine to be paid to a PND charity.

I do not usually foray into political circles with my blog, but this is serious stuff. Please share because I would like the BBC to answer me. BBC, come out from behind your editorial veil and com and have a chat with me. We can share the reporting obvs, but I think we have some stuff to talk through.

BBC, I am waiting!IMG_0827

Yours furiously,

4kidsandachicken!

 

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As a working mummy (3 days per week) I feel consigned to a ‘grass is always greener’ kind of life. 

While at work, I feel an enduring guilt about not being there for my kids (while secretly enjoying uninterrupted coffe and loo breaks!). This is particularly prevalent as my 3 y/o suffers from fits, so can end up being ambulanced to hospital at any time (My commute is almost 2 hours each way, so I can’t be at her bedside quickly when she fits!). 

On my days at home, I find myself regularly checking and replying to work emails, and bribing children with Peppa Pig and haribo so that they will keep silent for long enough for me to conduct a court telephone hearing. 

It is not ideal, but I am very far from being alone. I want to teach my kids the value of working, and am lucky enough to have a part time job (and these are by no means easy to come by). Equally, I want to be there for my children. 

Whatever you do, stay at home, work full time, or split the difference, if you are like me, you never feel like you win. Today I missed the kids more than usual while at work. The train home seemed slow, and I   hurried back to be with them. When I eventually made it home, I was greeted as follows:

  

  


– the electricity is not working so lots of the lights won’t go on (*Mummy flicks trip switch and miraculously the problem resolves!*)

– the Internet is not working. This means Netflix is not working. This is the childhood equivalent of Armageddon. (*Mummy spends 30 minutes randomly switching Internet on and off until Netflix finally starts working. Kids stop crying*)

– Kids release the magnetic letters onto the floor in the name of education. Then they stand on them in bare feet. This is the equivalent of standing on Lego in bare feet. They cry a lot. Mummy tidies up. 

– Having established Internet connection, Mummy tried to use the Internet. This move is blocked by Purcy the cat. Purcy comes first and computers don’t feature. Purcy launches himself onto the iPad and laptop and starts treading over the keys messaging as he goes.

 – We have a major problem in that the sea monkeys have hatched but someone has thrown away the sea monkey food. If anyone has the faintest idea what sea monkeys eat, please get in touch! 

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