As I write this, Miss B is 'wooing' as loud as she can into her cardboard didgeridoo that she and Mr A painted up today whilst I zipped off for a lunch with a group of friends at Jones the Grocer. So I am finding it a little difficult to concentrate with all the cultural noise going on in the background!
As I drove out today on my own, leaving Mr A and Miss B free to their own devices, I felt a little strange not having them with me. Mr A is very capable and I know he treasures his weekends, particularly the mornings where I get to sleep in (yes spoilt!) whilst those two fluff around with paint and playdo (both things I prefer not to 'mess' around with through the week)!
Generally, I have always found the company of other women much easier when there are guys around to keep it balanced. I'm not so sure why I have never been one to not seek out the company of all women, although the 2 years I spent at an all girls high school was probably enough to put me off! Throughout my 20's, not all but many of my closest friends were guys who I could debrief with whenever needed and I found that support on par with my female friends. However, when you become a mum, generally, it is only women that really get your perspective, particularly relating to life after child and it is really only women that provide that 'hit the nail on the head' reassurance that you're looking for. I'm not saying that your male counterpart is not supportive, I'm very fortunate in that area, but a woman who has stood in similar shoes, 6 inch or otherwise, can be a saving grace on a bad day. I also acknowledge that women can be their own worst enemy and many are all too qualified to compete in and judge the world of motherhood. To them, I say when you find a rule book, I'd love a copy!
Today I spent a few hours over lunch with four other women and I was reminded of why being a woman and spending time with other women is good for the soul. Three hours of chatting and laughing about all sorts of bits and pieces, the 'birth plan bullies' to 'shit pie served up by "The Help". The latter had nothing to do with Mrs C's wagu beef pie served up by Jones the Grocer, that looked delicious by the way as did the fish and chips being eaten by my mag grabber next door! I was also particularly impressed with Mr's C's friend who used to leave all the old food in the fridge for the ex husband who used to raid her fridge, like the good 'ol times, when dropping the kids off.... how's that for inspiring?! Coming back to females providing the reassurance you're looking for, unfortunately I wasn't so successful in that area for my 2 pregnant mates, when discussing their impending births. The thought of going through that again still freaks me out and the thought of doing it here also freaks me out, possibly enough to put me off having a second! I do understand that's probably not what you need to hear in your 3rd trimester. Having babies is a pastime here, EVERYTHING WILL BE FINE, probably would have been better than "STUFF THAT!?" Foot in mouth unfortunately happens to me without wine involved!
So upon my return I was happily greeted by Mr A and Miss B who had been very busy at it, making what every good woman loves, a new handbag! As a result there's no way of forgetting where I'm from (definitely not forgetting with the dig noise that still hasn't subsided) but also... I AM WOMAN!
As I drove out today on my own, leaving Mr A and Miss B free to their own devices, I felt a little strange not having them with me. Mr A is very capable and I know he treasures his weekends, particularly the mornings where I get to sleep in (yes spoilt!) whilst those two fluff around with paint and playdo (both things I prefer not to 'mess' around with through the week)!
Generally, I have always found the company of other women much easier when there are guys around to keep it balanced. I'm not so sure why I have never been one to not seek out the company of all women, although the 2 years I spent at an all girls high school was probably enough to put me off! Throughout my 20's, not all but many of my closest friends were guys who I could debrief with whenever needed and I found that support on par with my female friends. However, when you become a mum, generally, it is only women that really get your perspective, particularly relating to life after child and it is really only women that provide that 'hit the nail on the head' reassurance that you're looking for. I'm not saying that your male counterpart is not supportive, I'm very fortunate in that area, but a woman who has stood in similar shoes, 6 inch or otherwise, can be a saving grace on a bad day. I also acknowledge that women can be their own worst enemy and many are all too qualified to compete in and judge the world of motherhood. To them, I say when you find a rule book, I'd love a copy!
Today I spent a few hours over lunch with four other women and I was reminded of why being a woman and spending time with other women is good for the soul. Three hours of chatting and laughing about all sorts of bits and pieces, the 'birth plan bullies' to 'shit pie served up by "The Help". The latter had nothing to do with Mrs C's wagu beef pie served up by Jones the Grocer, that looked delicious by the way as did the fish and chips being eaten by my mag grabber next door! I was also particularly impressed with Mr's C's friend who used to leave all the old food in the fridge for the ex husband who used to raid her fridge, like the good 'ol times, when dropping the kids off.... how's that for inspiring?! Coming back to females providing the reassurance you're looking for, unfortunately I wasn't so successful in that area for my 2 pregnant mates, when discussing their impending births. The thought of going through that again still freaks me out and the thought of doing it here also freaks me out, possibly enough to put me off having a second! I do understand that's probably not what you need to hear in your 3rd trimester. Having babies is a pastime here, EVERYTHING WILL BE FINE, probably would have been better than "STUFF THAT!?" Foot in mouth unfortunately happens to me without wine involved!
So upon my return I was happily greeted by Mr A and Miss B who had been very busy at it, making what every good woman loves, a new handbag! As a result there's no way of forgetting where I'm from (definitely not forgetting with the dig noise that still hasn't subsided) but also... I AM WOMAN!
"H" is for Hermes, Miss B tells me!
I keep swinging back and forth on the PMTea. Definitely smart politics but feel niggling irritation too at lack of substance. Just listened to Eden Riley interview on abc radio and was happy to hear her say that she took a more political approach to the event, discussing foreign policy. And Clementine Ford's column in Daily Life talked v eloquently about how the set up really made it impossible to step outside the polite chatter mode. I was thinking it would be great to have a round table perhaps instead of a morning tea - a forum of prominent women who talk with Julia about the issues that are of importance to them and their readers.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the interesting post.
Michelle
Hi Michelle, Thanks for taking the time to read. I read Eden's blog and Clementine's article. I wish I had read these prior and I knew that would happen but still wanted to put my view out there and I'm glad I did because I'm now a little more up to speed! I can see how the setting can only take you so far in terms of discussing the political issues. At the end of the day, the PM wants to hear your voices and that's a positive. This was a nice way for introductions, break the ice etc but I agree, to really make something of it, a round table is probably going to be more productive in the future. That doesn't get you positive PR though. I can also imagine a round table political discussion with the PM could be rather daunting to many, as if meeting her wasn't enough! Oh, now I feel like I'm swinging back and forth!:) Danni
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