I remember when the word 'juggling' was coined to describe terribly busy women who did lots of things, they "had it all" according to the media and the profusion of books that were published on the subject. It seemed to be aspirational in the 80's because frankly if you could juggle everything and still stay sane and calm of temper then you were bloody brilliant, and that is very aspirational. That holds true today.
But I think that women who juggle families, careers, marriages, cats, friends and all manner of other things have become more like the circus Ringmaster. Never mind the juggler, he's just a sideshow act, the real money's on the woman who can organise and control the huge circus she has created.
Effortlessly (or so it seems) managing to get ready for work in the mornings, whilst preparing a packed lunch, changing a nappy and making the obligatory cup of tea for the husband, who is shaving or some such manly thing. Referreeing a sibling argument over who gets the last ice lolly and remaining exceptionally calm about the fact that two small children have managed to get said ice lolly from the freezer. Then of course confiscating the item of contention and whisking one child off to watch television whilst the other watches as mum puts on her tights. Effortless.
The gloss is only tarnished when the old nappy gets put in the packed lunch or the ham is used as a baby wipe, but that's a small failure in an otherwise perfectly smooth morning. Of course this circus act would be a whole lot easier if one were allowed to use the Ringmaster's whip and hat. You know, just to really look the part, but I think that might be illegal.
Of course the other attribute vital to being a Mummy Ringmaster is the ability to just know instinctively where everyone living in the circus (house) has left his or her tie/socks/princess wand/ankle support or any other vitally important item you'd care to mention. It is a skill that comes with the creation of the circus and one you will never lose. But the most fundamental skill any aspiring Ringmaster needs is the ability to keep on going in the face of much adversity. Afterall who's going to calm the horses or keep the clown happy if not the Ringmaster? And as for the jugglers, well they are never bloody happy, always complaining about having too many balls in the air.
Best to leave them to it along with the plate spinners.
Effortlessly (or so it seems) managing to get ready for work in the mornings, whilst preparing a packed lunch, changing a nappy and making the obligatory cup of tea for the husband, who is shaving or some such manly thing. Referreeing a sibling argument over who gets the last ice lolly and remaining exceptionally calm about the fact that two small children have managed to get said ice lolly from the freezer. Then of course confiscating the item of contention and whisking one child off to watch television whilst the other watches as mum puts on her tights. Effortless.
The gloss is only tarnished when the old nappy gets put in the packed lunch or the ham is used as a baby wipe, but that's a small failure in an otherwise perfectly smooth morning. Of course this circus act would be a whole lot easier if one were allowed to use the Ringmaster's whip and hat. You know, just to really look the part, but I think that might be illegal.
Of course the other attribute vital to being a Mummy Ringmaster is the ability to just know instinctively where everyone living in the circus (house) has left his or her tie/socks/princess wand/ankle support or any other vitally important item you'd care to mention. It is a skill that comes with the creation of the circus and one you will never lose. But the most fundamental skill any aspiring Ringmaster needs is the ability to keep on going in the face of much adversity. Afterall who's going to calm the horses or keep the clown happy if not the Ringmaster? And as for the jugglers, well they are never bloody happy, always complaining about having too many balls in the air.
Best to leave them to it along with the plate spinners.
0 comments:
Post a Comment
Thanks for reading.