tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19302868.post116003989052157779..comments2024-01-25T11:14:39.042+00:00Comments on maniacmum: That Pesky Glass CeilingJane Henryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17514534117777707886noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19302868.post-1161851033609681182006-10-26T08:23:00.000+00:002006-10-26T08:23:00.000+00:00Thanks Nic,I would say stop teetering and jump - b...Thanks Nic,<BR/><BR/>I would say stop teetering and jump - but be aware that things will change forever. Like I said, no one I know has ever regretted doing it, but I know plenty who've regretted not...<BR/><BR/>But it's a personal decision only one you and your husband can take...<BR/><BR/>Teaching does at least have the advantage of giving you the holidays, but I know how difficult it is (my dad was teacher, which is why I chose publishing as a career!)<BR/><BR/>love JaneJane Henryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17514534117777707886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19302868.post-1161686088128256372006-10-24T10:34:00.000+00:002006-10-24T10:34:00.000+00:00Have just stumbled over this via Carwyn Fowler's l...Have just stumbled over this via Carwyn Fowler's link (I too am a TOG in mourning)<BR/><BR/>What a powerful piece. I am at the teetering stage - all but one of our friends have embarked on this journey that i have continually put off, close family memberswho had always allied themselves with us as being "not grown-up enough" are doing it, and two close work colleagues also. Unfortunately, 12 years of marriage and spending the money on whatever we please has made my husband less fond of the idea - and I love my work. I always thought I'd just have a job, but now I have a career and I know that I cannot continue it and have a baby - I keep on top of it at present but I give it my all. Suddenly, "having it all" looks like a big fat lie to me - it might work in an office environment, but I can't see me pulling it off in teeaching - contrary to popular belief, my working day extends well beyond 3pm.<BR/><BR/>Ho hum. Thanks for the food for thought, anyway.... ;-)Nichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00150476755274772730noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19302868.post-1160143864047661362006-10-06T14:11:00.000+00:002006-10-06T14:11:00.000+00:00OK Mandora, trust you to be bolshie... love the ta...OK Mandora, trust you to be bolshie... love the tag by the way.<BR/><BR/>You know I don't completely disagree with you.<BR/><BR/>Actually the point probably should be, that the way the world is run now is pretty crap for anyone with a family.<BR/><BR/>But I am still not going to be encouraging my offspring to go and have babies early. See above. I've done my time and more...<BR/><BR/>Plus I think girls (and boys) should be encouraged to realise their ambitions, whatever they are.<BR/><BR/>love jxJane Henryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17514534117777707886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19302868.post-1160143312496434102006-10-06T14:01:00.000+00:002006-10-06T14:01:00.000+00:00I bought the Telegraph (and by the way you should ...I bought the Telegraph (and by the way you should be proud you read this truly wonderful journal) that morning and as a besieged 40 something male, I felt a smug glow come all over me. <BR/><BR/>That said I am now feeling a tad frightened for I sense the lid slowly being unscrewed from the dusty Pandora's Box in my head and there's nothing I can do about it. So I'm thinking, shall I, shan't I? Do I dare say what I have reluctantly come to believe over the last few years. Oh what the hell - in for a penny in for a pound (hee hee). <BR/><BR/>Now before you read any further, I want you to sit down ..... <BR/><BR/>.... right you see it's like this, like a lot of philosophies in history from Christianity through to Communism through to the Welfare State, the putting into practice often dissapoints. Feminism unfortunately is no different. Blair forced the issue by by-passing merit and creating all those ghastly Blair babes and surprise, surprise they were all totally shit. Let's be honest, the only women with any ability in the Labour hierarchy were Mowlam and Beckett. <BR/><BR/>Similarly in my business apart from one or two notable exceptions any women that have broken through the 'glass ceiling' have been to put it bluntly thoroughly useless. You lift the rock of any cock up in advertising and you will find a wriggling over promoted woman. <BR/><BR/>I once worked in a company where all the middle management were women. Total unmitigated chaos to say nothing of the monthly hell as a result of syncronised menstruation. <BR/><BR/>These modern feminists harp on about multi tasking when the truth is that most women are obviously totally unable to focus on the job in hand. Oh sure they can do more than one job at a time but then simply leave a trail of cock ups behind them. <BR/><BR/>Now don't get me wrong (though you probably haven't been able to read this far due to the fact that you're chewing the carpet) I have worked with loads of highly professional women, it's just in the pitiful rush to be P.C, inept women all over the country are being promoted well above their ability. Fawning male management have built a lift that effortlessly hurtles these muppets into top jobs and then lets them wreak havoc until they declare their pregnant and strutt off home on a full salary leaving everyone else to pick up the bill and the pieces. <BR/><BR/>It's the women with the biggest attitude that get all the top jobs leaving the truly talented men and women gazing up at the glass ceiling whilst the shards come plumetting down towards their confused faces. <BR/><BR/>Now I've really gone and done it - except I do feel alot better for that.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19302868.post-1160124029226845572006-10-06T08:40:00.000+00:002006-10-06T08:40:00.000+00:00Aw, Lesley, nice of you to drop by and say so. You...Aw, Lesley, nice of you to drop by and say so. You are seriously frightening me about the prospect of being a granny too young. Have already told mine NO BABIES BEFORE 30!!! Actually if they do, I shall take a lead from my parents and run away from my children just as long as they are old enough.<BR/><BR/>Can well understand ambivalent feelings towards grandson - maybe having four kicks out that maternity/baby loving gene or something. Have to confess that held my new nephew when he was a fortnight old and was just panicking I'd drop him... I was panicking more then the first time I held my niece, which was BEFORE I had kids...<BR/><BR/>However can report feelings do improve as saw my great niece recently and at 6months she is getting quite cute. Have no desire to start babysitting though... (Will probably not get a choice about it though as girls will be clamouring for her to come and play.)<BR/><BR/>love jxJane Henryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17514534117777707886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19302868.post-1160064194712562292006-10-05T16:03:00.000+00:002006-10-05T16:03:00.000+00:00That's an essay that should appear in response to ...That's an essay that should appear in response to the Mary Kenny piece. I tried to find something witty and controversial to say in reply, but all I can say is I agree with all of it.<BR/><BR/>I have recently become a grandmother for the first time - I'm obviously much too young to be a grandmama, but we won't go into that! - and despite the assurances of my friends and relatives who told me I would become as besotted as they had, I didn't. At 3 months, he is now smiling and responding, and I feel slightly different, but I, too, am nervous of losing a tiny bit of my hard won freedom. Like our Maniacmum, I have four children, one of whom is still at home, although grown up and earning his living. But for years I lived my life at the behest of others and now, without the responsibility, although not without the worry, and widowed, I no longer have to think about the repercussions if I do whatever I want.<BR/><BR/>My daughter, the new mum, has put her career as a professional singer on hold, but when she returns, because her partner is also a professional musician, I foresee babysitting will become part of my life. Like Maniacmum, I've always been lucky enough to work at home, but this will make me even more accessible, I fear.<BR/><BR/>But - lack of ambition? Purrlease! I can testify to the achievement of at least one ambition even as I enter the doddery stage of life. It goes on - and upwards. As do you, Jane.Lesley Cookmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10699182779296799170noreply@blogger.com