I HATE CLEANING – BUT I DO LIKE TIPS TO MAKE IT EASIER!

I’ve spoken on this page before about the fact that I’ve never wanted children and how I have the utmost respect for people who do – it’s the most difficult job in the world. But what happens when a mother finds that her maternal instincts don’t kick in as expected and she doesn’t find it as natural as others seem to? Resenting children after you have them is one of the last unspoken bastions of motherhood – you rarely, if ever, find anybody openly admitting to it. On page 42, we explore the issue and meet some women who regret ever becoming mothers. As expected, however, they haven’t given their full names and don’t want to be identified. But is it really such an awful thing to concede? I mean, having a child turns your life upside down, puts restraints on your lifestyle, impacts on your career, affects your financial status – in short, nothing is ever the same again. So why is it so taboo for someone to admit that they’re not okay with that? I guess the majority of women feel that the positives of having children far outweigh the negatives, but surely not all feel that way. Yet those who are struggling still feel that it’s not something they can freely disclose without inviting criticism from others. We hear so much about how one of the major devices to remove the stigma of mental health is encouraging people to talk about it more. What you hear might not always be palatable but it’s the only way to improve understanding and offer the right help to those who are struggling.

I’ve been glued to Marie Kondo’s Tidying Up show on Netflix – even though I hate cleaning! I do like tips to make it easier, however, so was equally enthralled by the article on page 40 today. Did you know how versatile vinegar is when it comes to cleaning your house, washing your clothes and even tackling acne? Me neither! It’s fascinating stuff – and could save you a fortune on unnecessary products.

Enjoy the issue!