Interesting development within the Labor Party ladies this week - starting with Julia Gillard -
"Deputy Opposition Leader Julia Gillard has expressed doubt that a mother could reach the office of prime minister.
In an interview with the Bulletin magazine, Ms Gillard has spoken about her decision not to have children and the likelihood of a woman becoming prime minister.
She says it would be difficult for a mother to juggle the responsibilities of a senior government position with raising children.
"Peter Costello and John Howard should reflect on whether or not it would've been possible for them to have been born women and to have done everything in their lives that they've done, how they would've balanced being mothers and being politicians," she said."
I read that with mild interest and then found this morning that Tanya Plibersek had a different perspective.
"... I certainly don't think that there will never be a prime minister who's got a young family, who's a woman."
She attributes this to the possibility of having a suitable partner.
I have been trying to imagine a woman being Prime Minister or Treasurer with small children. I am picturing her during important meetings saying the things I have had to say at not so important meetings.
"Sorry folks - childcare problem this week - I have to be out of here NOW" and "I cant come to work Thursday afternoon because my girls are singing Abba and Kylie Monogue and my son is seaweed in the school pageant. Seaweed costumes can be such a BITCH to get on right you know."
Our high profile female politician will have children that excrete nothing - because all us mothers know how dreadful it feels when you realise your toddler has wiped his/her nose up your jacket sleeve as you handed him to the carer. The old leaky nappy thing isn't good either. Never mind the bits of weetbix and stuff than can accidentally get stuck to your person without you knowing.
I am thinking she is going to be an absolute riot when measles, mumps and chicken pox happen isn't she.
The poor woman is gunna have HUGE expectations at the three legged races - the sack race gets pretty darn competitive at the best of times - imagine knowing your competing against the PM or Treasurer? Not to mention tuck shop duty - let alone the fundraising at P & C.... mannnnnnn will she have to perform at the chocolate fund raising drives!
Or what about the horrible times us mothers discover HEAD LICE... oh wow is she gunna feel the heat.
I am thinking this "suitable partner" is a very good investment for potential cloning? He is gunna be marvellous at dealing with situations like... the time daughter No 3 told all the kids at school that daughter No 2 had red feathers in her private regions.
Don't get me wrong - if that woman does exist I will be in absolute awe and wish her nothing but easy times.
But... there are so many scenario's we go through that just make this sound like a fantastic situation for a comedy sitcom?
Hey - that kids gunna have a ball at show and tell! Take Mummy! Too easy. The rest of us poor sods have to catch cane toads or bundle up the family pet.... Oh wait - nah kids like the toads, rats etc better than a politician anyway. Maybe she could borrow something extra cool.
Oh - and what about when the poor woman FORGETS stuff. Like she is meant to be at the end of school thingo an hour early to get a decent seat where her child can see her? Or will police go shove all the other parents out of the way? Or with boarding school and you have to book the free weekends in advance to let the kids come home or go to friends houses... imagine if the press gets wind of her forgetfulness! I don't care how fantastic your spouse is - mothers always get the blame.
When a woman does - I want to bake for her family once a month to say thanks for being so great. But I think mothers already do a fantastic job without extra pressures like a job like that. I am wondering why any woman would want to encourage another woman to take on huge pressures when she already has taken on a huge responsibility.
Maybe some peoples kids don't get sick, have nightmares, like having mum attend everything, get in any trouble at school, break bones, hate dentist appointments and require bribes and hand holding.
I think aside from having one hell of a great woman and supportive husband - that woman better have amazing children.
1 comment:
Maybe someone with a grown-up kids, like Hilary Clinton. But you're right.
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