A Modern Mother

I really need to watch more telly

I've always been hopeless when it comes to recognising celebs. Fifteen years ago when I was fresh-off-the-silicon-valley-boat and seated right next to Chris Evans at a press lunch at Langhams, I was more interested in the tech exec at the table. Later, the agency director whispered in my ear, don't you know who that was?

Well not much has changed. Last night I went to the launch of Sarah Brown's new book, Behind the Black Door. There were all sorts of celebs there, including Pamela Stephenson, Tim Vincent, Katy Brand, Jimmy Carr, Fiona Phillips, Kathy Lette, Caitlin Moran, Sue Perkins, Duncan Bannatyne, and Dan Stevens. The only reason I know this is because Liz Jarvis from Living with Kids sent me a list of names! I'm hopeless.

I did recognise kids cookery guru Annabell Karmel! Yay!

 

Here's a pic of Dan Stevens of Downton Abbey. I am the period drama's newest fan.

Sarah Palin does not speak for me

Sarah Palin has an amazing effect on women: either you want her to be your best friend or you think she's the reincarnation of the devil. These are not voluntary reactions, they are visceral, much like at a medical exam when the doctor lightly taps your knee and it goes flying.

Why? Why when someone mentions her name do I break into a cold sweat and start swearing uncontrollably? A woman politician should be a good thing, right? My girls need role models. I'm the same age as Sarah Palin. We were both cheerleaders in high school, and then went on to major in journalism. I should identify with her.

The issue I have with Sarah Palin is her unworldliness. When she touted her international trump card as "Putin flies over my airspace", I cringed for all of America. She doesn't know what she doesn't know. How could she? With America's delicate reputation at stake, this really would not be helpful.

No, Sarah Palin does not speak for me, please sign the petition.

The Obama effect

Ever wonder what it's like being an living American in the UK? After nearly 20 years, I've seen it all. I've been loved and I've been hated. For the time being, I'm pleasantly enjoying the "Obama Effect," which is a bit like giving a local pub another go after they have advertised they are under new management.

As a little reminder, here's a post I wrote the day after Barrack Obama was elected in 2008. It includes the original comments:

The UK you say, they’re America’s best ally. They LOVE us over there.

Er, no, sorry to burst your bubble. They actually don’t.

But I don't want the man with the blue tie mummy

But I don’t want David Cameron to be prime minister, my eight-year-daughter told me this morning, as we listened to Radio 4 discuss the hung parliament.

Why?

He wants to take away tax credits from children (I'm sure she has no idea what a tax credit is, but damn the man who wants to taken them from her).

AND, he wants to bring back fox hunting (she must have seen the “ashes to ashes” billboard on the way into London last weekend.)

On Gordon Brown and the "bigoted woman" gaffe

Have five minutes? Please watch this video ... and hang in to the end, that's the interesting part. Hat tip: Wife in the North and Potty Mummy.

Yes, this interaction topped yesterday's election news. This is very sad as British political campaigns only last a mere few weeks. I can see this happening in the US, where elections last a lifetime, but come on... surely there are better topics to headline?

It wasn't one of Gordon Brown's most brilliant moments. Wife in the North points out that despite being dubbed a cybermum election, women are not shining this time round. Gordon is not being sexist... unfortunately I could just as easily imagine him leaving the mic on and making off the cuff comments about a male pensioner.

I'm more interested in the gaffe. Everyone is entitled to an opinion. Our co-star Gillian Duffy is allowed to wonder about  "all these Eastern Europeans coming in" and the availability of public services for "those that really need them" (American conservatives will recognise this). And Gordon Brown can form his own opinions too. It's just not in his best interest to broadcast them. Especially if they seem out of touch with his constituents.

Oh dear. I wonder if "Sue" still has her job?

Will the next election be won at the schoolgate?

A few mummy bloggers (me, Alpha Mummy, Potty Mummy, NixdMinx, and Karen from The Rubbish Diet) will be chatting today about our take on David Cameron's appearance on Mumsnet. So if you have a few spare minutes before school pickup, and want to add your two cents, head on over the Times' Alpha Mummy blog and let 'er rip. The event starts at 1.45.

UPDATE: After a slow start (and mummy bloggers proclaiming pot noodles as the new biscuit) Cameron finally appeared on Mumsnet and answered a few select questions on topics such as childcare vouchers (a keeper); schools (and plans to "bust up" the state monopoly); special needs (an end to school closures); and family tax (eliminate the couples penalty tax). He did of course evade some of the biggies: like Europe. If you want more info, the Guardian did a nice summary.

The answers were few and far between, and at one point Cameron had to change laptops during the Q&A. Perhaps this is why he answered way less questions than Gordon Brown in the same amount of time. I can't blame him though, live chatting is definitely a female multi-tasking thing.

Did this help him? Cyber mums are a tough crowd, but it did show a human side. And who doesn't love oat cakes with cheese?

Playground politics: who are you at the schoolgate?

We're going on our fourth year at "big school" and with three in the system, I've met all sorts at the school gate. From the Keen Mum to the Now-You-See-Me-Now-You-Don't Mother, here's a description of some of the characters you will encounter on the primary school playground...

The Keen Mum -- With her first child of many starting the system, this mum is new to the school and her main goal is figuring out how things work. After four years of having a child velcroed to her hip, she wants to know what the heck Johnny is doing all day in that hallowed building. She attends every school function, is the class rep, does lunch duty, and is navigating her way around the PTA. Amazing as she has two little ones at home.

Where were you on inaugaration day?

Where were you when President Barack Hussein Obama was inaugurated?

I was four when Neil Armstrong first set his human foot on the moon. That July day in California was also my youngest brother's baptism and my parents had invited several people over to celebrate. My dad put the television outside because of the heat and every chair we owned was around it, full of relatives and friends marveling over the thought of capturing the moon.

I was snuggled on my dad's brother's lap when Armstrong's broken voice articulated those famous words, "one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."

"You'll remember this day," my uncle whispered in my ear," and he gave me a squeeze.

The New Mummy Wars

To work or not to work? That is the question that many mums struggle over -- torn between career and being there for the children.

These wars, more prominent in the US, have been exemplified with the nomination of Alaska governor Sarah Palin as Republican John McCain’s vice presidential running mate.

With five children, one only five months old with special needs, and a pregnant teenage daughter, many are questioning whether she has the time to take on such an important role, and to be blunt, whether or not she should.

I find it very difficult to juggle part-time work and three kids. I am constantly tired and struggle to get the balance right. I am in awe of any woman that is so together that they take on motherhood AND the 2nd highest post in the world’s richest economic nation. But I can't help thinking that the reality is that one role will come first.