Sounds like she’s wanted to be some kind of influencer/ blogger but missed the boat, then wrote that one piece about breastfeeding or whatever it was, then someone’s chirped in her ear about her writing, then she found her topic-‘default parenting’, then someone’s probably gone ‘oh you should write a book’ and then she’s used Rob’s contacts to do so. I don’t need a celebrity/ influencer/ famous person’s wife to write me a book about parenting- and if I did I’d want Helen Skelton (why she’s not been on the pod is beyond me- unless I’ve missed that episode!). I’d rather have a nobody write it. How am I supposed to relate to and sympathise with someone whose kids have been abroad more times this year, than I have in the past 10 years?!
I bought Lou’s book when it came out and it came across very whiny and over-privileged to me but I am coming from the perspective of a single parent whose ex is abusive and doesn’t contribute in any way (and only contributed negatively before he was removed by the police); I also have no family support, no in laws to help out and very low income. Therefore, reading someone complain when they’ve had no parenting or life problems that money couldn’t solve (or at least improve), have a very loving and hands-on husband who provides financially to the point where they can choose not to work and still afford a huge house and multiple incredible holidays a year, and also has helpful parents, did not resonate with me.
Anyway, I’m relatively new to the podcast and really enjoy it, I started listening late last year, and have been going back to the beginning (so listening to new ones as they come out but also listening to summer 2021 atm). Just listened to the episode from June 1st 2021 and there was a segment on “mental load”, which sounded very familiar having recently read Lou’s book, so I Googled to see when she wrote her blog post and was interested to see it was only in 2024.
Can’t help but wonder if she found this episode inspiring for her book, particularly this lady’s email (I can’t find receipts but I’m sure this list is very similar to the beginning of the book):