Is it just me, or would you even consider trying to run a state/county with a baby?

[Tumbulu]

I have a 7 yr old daughter and I still am lucky to get 1/2 of my work done on my farm and mail order business. My daughter had all sorts of needs, but she did not have downs syndrome. I have a friend with a baby who has downs' and she is so very busy with all of his medical issues. I am just confounded by the idea of being awake half the night with a sick child (haven't we all been there?) and then taking on a serious job like governance of any kind.

Am I the only one here who thinks this is completely nuts? Even if she wasn't a creationist etc etc wrong wing fanatic?

Is mothering so insignificant these days in the popular culture that no one even says a word about this?

[elleng]

1. No, mothering is not insignificant.

The answer to this question seems to be related to one's own experiences.

Mine were such that this does not at all seem outlandish. My daugters are in their 20s, and planning to become educators. They've said that my career actually HELPED them.

[tigereye]

2. I suppose if I had good help -

I think lots of women run all kinds of things with kids...


I'd much rather people focused on her bizarre fundie politics and lack of experience than on anything to do with her kids, baby or no.

[dropkickpa]

3. Shit, I have a hard enough time running our lives

and balancing my work with that, I couldn't imagine having a larger responsibility like governance.

[tigereye]

4. well, lots of men have kids with all kinds of needs and high-power jobs

and I think that there are also lots of women with these types of positions who still manage to work. I would guess that a governor would have lots of help and still be able to do her job.



So the feminist in me thinks that with help, any man or woman could still do his/her job even with so many kids and possibly with one with Down Syndrome.


But it certainly wouldn't be easy. I guess i don't want to apply a different standard to her, even though I find her belief system terrifying.

[mwooldri]

5. Well Tony Blair fathered a baby boy whilst being PM,

and Cherie Blair AFAIK at that time was a full time judge... and I guess they had nannies. No-one raised any noise about that.

I see nothing wrong with nannies per-se, but then I guess society expects the female to take the lead child-caring role and that if a mother isn't caring for their child then "some thing's wrong".