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Mothering Madness

48 replies

flum · 12/05/2005 11:15

Anyone seen the Times 2 this morning article about a woman who moved from France to Washington (USA) and was staggered by all the crazy cookie baking, school inspecting, extra curricular activities by the American mummies

It was very interesting

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zebraX · 12/05/2005 11:20

link?

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flum · 12/05/2005 11:22

Ermmm it was in the real newspaper.

will look on their site though

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ghosty · 12/05/2005 11:27

I have to say that when I moved to NZ I was shaken to the core at the 'home baking' phenomenon. Kiwi women NEVER EVER go to someone's house with a packet of bought biscuits ... always home baked muffins or scones made freshly that morning.
I invited some friends round for lunch the other week and they brought so much home made stuff (soup, bread etc) that I didn't have to put out my food at all
I have to say that I have been sucked in and now bake regularly!

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flum · 12/05/2005 11:28

ermm here it isi hope

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flum · 12/05/2005 11:44

long isn't it...................

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flum · 12/05/2005 12:14

obvioulsy all too busy baking and organising fantastiv birthday parties and playdates then.

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flum · 12/05/2005 12:16

oh my day is ruined am now hopelessly jealous of everyone I know. was happier in my ignorance.

never mind have a healthy baby, my dp adores me, and the sun is shining. life is still beautiful

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flum · 12/05/2005 12:17

oh burger wrong thread. that previous message

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Bozza · 12/05/2005 13:00

Just read some of the article and I can definitely recognise some of myself in it Flum. I have actually taken the day off work to make DD's first birthday cake and prepare for her party on Sunday. Not done anything so far, its such a nice day I've been too busy gardening. But all that will mean is that I am panicking trying to make a chocolate hedgehog and mini muffins at 11pm on Saturday!

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flum · 12/05/2005 13:01

mmm, i don't think i am really like that but then only have one easy peasy teeny weeny dd. but i did make 3 birthday cakes for her - as they kept coming out flat!!!

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zebraX · 12/05/2005 13:07

Hmmm... let's see, the people who were profiled in the book are ... a cancer specialist, a high profile journalist, and live in "affluent neighborhoods"....

Well, pretty representive of the population as a whole, especially working middle-class women in the USA, wouldn't you say? -- NOT.

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flum · 12/05/2005 13:07

yeah but it did say that it was about upper middle class tbf

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Surfermum · 12/05/2005 13:26

If I took my home made cakes to someone else's house I'd never be invited back.

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slug · 12/05/2005 16:02
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tarantula · 12/05/2005 16:21

Think Id feel like a smug mammy who was boasting/a cheapskate if I took homemade stuff to friends house. Dunno why cos Im not bad at knocking up sponges etc. Be a damn sight cheaper than a bottle of wine mind but not near as much fun

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LunarSea · 12/05/2005 16:30

There's a lot in that article which rings bells. It's very similar to some of what's in Alison Pearson's "I don't know how she does it" - faking home made mince pies etc.

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lunavix · 12/05/2005 16:34

The people at my playgroups etc don't even make homemade baby purees etc so I think they'd look at me like a 'super empowering NCT breast-feeding for 10 years ' type mummy if I ever showed up with home baked goodies.

Ds's godmother stuck cheese and pineapple on a stick into a cucumber to make a crocodile (annabel karmel thing) for ds's first birthday party and they thought it was insane!

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expatinscotland · 12/05/2005 16:40

Anyone who brings a Thornton's cake or plonk - or both - is welcome in my home !

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slug · 12/05/2005 16:41

OK I admit that I get the sluglet to help with the baking, then can claim its hers.

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zebraX · 12/05/2005 20:43

Slug! Where have you been?

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ghosty · 12/05/2005 20:56

Ah, but slug ... you are a kiwi are you not???

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moondog · 12/05/2005 21:03

I scratch my head in confusion when I hear that 'we' are always being made to feel that we have to do it all. What a load of shite! Most of the people I know feed their kids crap,watch too much tv,are lazy slatterns,can't cook and would never dream of organising a proper birthday party.

I do all the cooking,housework and creative stuff because I like it,not because i am made to feel I should. However,I've stopped inviting people round for dinner because none of them can be arsed to return the invitation.

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NotQuiteCockney · 12/05/2005 21:07

I bake. I don't clean etc, but I like baking.

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Surfermum · 12/05/2005 21:13

One of the mums in our toddler group brings lovely, scrummy sponge cakes. We love her.

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moondog · 12/05/2005 21:16

I love cooking,ironing,cleaning,washing windows,shopping for food and organising my cupboards until they are just so. I really do!

However I also enjoy drinking too much wine,ignoring everyone and reading for hours,sleeping in,avoiding 'kiddie' activities and just relaxing.......

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