Okay, so I’m usually the most immature person in the Western Hemisphere. At 50, I still suck at adulting – I haven’t the foggiest about what’s going on with my bank account, I’m probably lazier than Alice and Garfield combined, I keep wanting to stick out my tongue whenever I see an email from my boss, and I have a more-than-questionable relationship with deadlines and housekeeping.
Therefore, I can empathise with what I’m sure is a state of massive panic in the face of having to do some actual work and tackling a barrage of unpleasant tasks. I completely understand that Alice prefers to focus on side shows like her SM and Cameos. Unlike her, however, I never had that luxury; I’ve had to look after myself all my life. Not very well, granted, but so far, I haven’t ended up under a bridge, despite zero childhood money/inheritance and an appalling lack of Oucassis and Gruffudds to fund my lifestyle. It's one of the reasons why I never wanted children; I would have done a terrible job as a mother. Any kid of mine would have ended up a serial killer (to my great relief, Mr Arctic and I got together when his kids had long fled the nest).
And that’s the big difference – Alice, you made a
conscious choice to have kids, and with that, you made the
conscious choice to take on the responsibilities that go hand in hand with parenthood. With or without a partner. This means growing up, at least to some degree, and not sticking your head in the sand and expecting everything to resolve itself. That's the one luxury that
you no longer have.
Alas, bear in mind that ...
... money won’t miraculously fall from the skies.
... producers, casting directors and Disney execs won’t be throwing million-dollar contracts at you anytime soon.
... you will no longer get by on your looks, especially with the way you keep ruining them.
... your kids need a mother, an
adult, not a BFF, who makes them feel safe and organises their lives until they can stand on their own feet.
... the girls have a father who would be more than happy to do his share of parenting. You scream for support, but you’re doing everything in your power to deprive yourself of it.
... if you don’t take care of house hunting, organising the move and everything it entails, you’ll end up sleeping in your Prius (which should at least make the rat happy).
... Ioan won’t return to you. Ever.
YOU are the one who must man up, take your head out of your ass and
GROW UP. No one else will do it for you. Take it from someone who’s an expert at the ostrich strategy – it won’t solve a single one of your problems.