I found looking after my own young children a pleasure and a privilege. Working (in a job) is harder and less rewarding. As a single parent I have to do the cooking and cleaning and washing and ironing in the evenings and at weekends while still having to be able to do the parenting stuff like baking and arts and crafts and walks and chats and learning to use a sewing machine and all that stuff.
Most of the men I know would far rather spend more time at home with their kids.
Title:- Privileged and Pleasured
Paddy:- Do you remember the pleasure and privilege you had forced to give up your job after we were married?
Eileen:- I remember the days well having to rely on your income only and you had to work all the overtime to get a hand on the ever increasing mortgage interest rate not to mention the real recession back then that make 21st century recessions look like a doddle.
Paddy:- When our first came along didn’t you just love hacking, scraping, disinfecting cloth nappies and washing them and waking every night to breast feed. Then you loved preparing the baby feeds for the next 24 hours. In between there were babygrows needing washing along with bedclothes for the cot and your daily walk pushing that row-boat with wheels. Baby had to be washed too. Didn’t you just love all that?
Eileen:- Everyday was like Heaven. Not a minute to myself. The devil loves idle hands. I was delighted that I had given up my monthly visit to the hairdressers – too much gossip going on there. I managed my hair with the present of the hairdryer and scissors set you gave me for Christmas.
Paddy:- They were great times, not a moan from you and I only visited the pub three times per week and I’d wished that you could have joined me. But, No 2 was on the way. But, you didn’t mind as tracksuit bottoms and sweaters really suited you.
Eileen:- The paper nappies were great, but you thought they were too dear and we continued to use cloth nappies until after that few days where you minded No 1 while I was in the maternity hospital popping No 2. We didn’t see cloth nappies after that.
Paddy:- (Thinking to himself, with elbow on knee and chin rested on hand) They were great times, Eileen (then having a light bulb moment) I think I’ll skiddaddle for a while – our grandchildren will be arriving shortly.
Above is the opening sequence to the first play I've ever dreamed up. I don't see it progressing any further.
Main Lessons of Play:-(i) Eileen gets a raw deal. (ii) She is convinced her position in live is priviliged and a pleasure (iii) Purple . . . . sorry I mean Paddy wants to keep her thinking that way. (iv) There appears to be no end to the circle of privilege and pleasure which have taken on a whole new meaning.