Mum criticised for completing the same task her husband was praised for by strangers
Constance Hall, mum-of-four, has shared a post which is going viral for all the right reasons.
The Australian blogger has hit out at people who are constantly praising men for being a present parent yet scrutinising women for not parenting the right way.
Constance shares: “I am used to being scrutinised for jobs that my husband is praised for.”
“I am used to picking the kids up from school to judgemental looks about being late, while Bill is used to a red f*****g carpet and a 12-piece band praising him for his heroic appearance at school pick up.”
The viral thread by no means takes from her husband, who she describes as “a good dad.”
“I am not saying quit the praise. I love seeing Bill praised for the things he does for our kids. He is a good dad, why not celebrate him.”
The post came about following a nappy-changing exchange in the park – whereby Constance was at a loss for a changing table for her daughter:
“I went to the bathroom and there was no change table. No dramas, the restaurant was in the park, I went very far away, put her on the grass and changed her bum. No big deal.”
However, a woman approached the mum and requested Constance change her daughter on the tables provided the next time.
The Perth writer explained she could not find a change table to which the woman replied: “There is, it’s in the disabled toilet and that’s around the other corner.”
Constance went on to reveal “I felt like a loser” but yet “the world went on.”
And her point you ask?
The following weekend Constance and her family were at the park when her son needed to be changed.
Constance informed her husband it was his turn, obliging, Bill changed his son’s nappy – on the grass.
What happened next was unbelievable…
“A group of women walked past, one said ‘aww good dad, that’s what we like to see, get in there’, Bill felt like a legend, the world went on" the mum-of-four explained.
Constance felt the need to write the post, asking society to praise each other instead of pressuring one another:
“That’s the way we as a society are, we place so much pressure on women to be perfect and selfless while putting low parenting expectations on men.”
The mum signed off:
“But let’s praise each other too, let’s see women talking on the phone while pushing her pram and think wow, she chose not to stay at home bidding on eBay smashing straight vodka. She chose to come to the park and be a magnificent mum.”
Have you ever had a scenario similar to this one? Have you ever felt scrutinised for something your partner would be praised for? Share your story with us.