tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3178366214524455884.post5815033420360302549..comments2024-03-26T08:06:19.661-04:00Comments on The Road Less Travelled: "Emotional labour" and childless womenloribethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09272814565916935113noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3178366214524455884.post-71618441728545970742017-03-04T10:43:32.142-05:002017-03-04T10:43:32.142-05:00I don't begrudge the money, really -- and I...I don't begrudge the money, really -- and I've always had fun shopping for the perfect gifts for my nephews & other kids -- even after it became clear that I would not be having any children of my own for people to shop for. (Although I have sometimes resorted to just sending money or a gift card when it was too hard to face all the cute things for kids.) But it's not always reciprocated -- or even acknowledged with a thank you note sometimes. It's hard to always be the one doing the giving. :( loribethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09272814565916935113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3178366214524455884.post-43237487533899814402017-03-04T10:38:42.390-05:002017-03-04T10:38:42.390-05:00I have not yet been to one, but I have heard of a ...I have not yet been to one, but I have heard of a few of them... I am sure it's only a matter of time before we get an invite...! loribethhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09272814565916935113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3178366214524455884.post-86655299451629582052017-03-04T00:22:29.220-05:002017-03-04T00:22:29.220-05:00I read this as I was once again sending off birthd...I read this as I was once again sending off birthday presents to nieces overseas. I tend to stop when the niece/nephew or child of friends leaves home, so 18 (years) x 13 (children) x 2 (birthdays and Christmas) = A LOT! Putting the financial efforts (purchases, international postage) aside, the emotional labour is significant, and not returned.<br />And yes, this all contradicts the myth of the "free and easy childless women/couples." <br />Great post!Malihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03928262526502319303noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3178366214524455884.post-33493281325610454182017-03-03T15:10:44.121-05:002017-03-03T15:10:44.121-05:00Extremely excellent post!!! I learned of the term ...Extremely excellent post!!! I learned of the term "emotional labor" several months ago and it really resonated with me. In fact, I used it in a reply to a comment on my blog very recently. Hearing of this concept and understanding it has really been a game changer for me. I am now concentrating on doing my own work and not doing other people's work for them.Infertile Phoenixhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11033358612204465661noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3178366214524455884.post-52673758786002973972017-03-03T08:02:17.082-05:002017-03-03T08:02:17.082-05:00So true. I often get the impression that my time i...So true. I often get the impression that my time is considered less valuable than parents. At work but even among my friends at times. As the childfree person in the group I am expected to always be flexible and meet when it suits them and at a child friendly venue.dublinerinDeutschlandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14804856792598440633noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3178366214524455884.post-69576286637163850222017-03-03T03:11:59.630-05:002017-03-03T03:11:59.630-05:00Hi Loribeth, you outline the concept of emotional ...Hi Loribeth, you outline the concept of emotional labour so clearly here, and have given me lots to think about - thank you! CatherineAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12585314535811967157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3178366214524455884.post-57462246682424347992017-03-02T20:04:03.360-05:002017-03-02T20:04:03.360-05:00I've had to start letting go of friendships th...I've had to start letting go of friendships that have become unbalanced where I've provided large amounts of sympathy to friends with children who have problems only to get no support when I have a problem or made to feel my problems aren't as significant. Over it. Fortunately most of my mum friends aren't in that realm, just one or two. I also think you have to teach people how to treat you. We have to stop feeling we are less and know we are as valuable as anyone with children. Once you feel that and project that people will treat you better. Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3178366214524455884.post-12815377939762668582017-03-02T19:15:37.824-05:002017-03-02T19:15:37.824-05:00I can't tell if my comment took. Here it is ag...I can't tell if my comment took. Here it is again as anonymous <br /><br />=====<br /><br />Loribeth as usual your words hit a deep place in my heart. I could never begin to respond to this with the mental energy it deserves. I would be crying for several days. Thank you for voicing that which I've never been able to voice.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3178366214524455884.post-76604264701774147672017-03-02T16:34:00.864-05:002017-03-02T16:34:00.864-05:00Thanks for this Loribeth, it's so true. I so w...Thanks for this Loribeth, it's so true. I so wish parents had to justify why they had children in the same way we get scrutinised. And I feel very lucky that I'd never heard of a 'gender reveal party' - sounds horrendous and I hope they never catch on in the UK. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10692431054524980126noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3178366214524455884.post-8173406473989618392017-03-02T13:51:57.529-05:002017-03-02T13:51:57.529-05:00Great article. Your list is spot on.Great article. Your list is spot on.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3178366214524455884.post-45003086698011105622017-03-02T12:00:05.503-05:002017-03-02T12:00:05.503-05:00Dear Loribeth
Thank you, this is so true and so p...Dear Loribeth<br /><br />Thank you, this is so true and so poignant. Exactly what I am realising and being left to feel like at present and I do find this difficult particularly now. <br /><br />Your works make so much sense. <br /><br />Thank you, Denise Q Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3178366214524455884.post-12638153897603556662017-03-01T00:19:27.682-05:002017-03-01T00:19:27.682-05:00dear Loribeth, it is a great post and I just love ...dear Loribeth, it is a great post and I just love your list. I agree with everything on the list. I hope you don't mind - I copied it and put on my blog.<br />kind regards from Europe.<br />KlaraKlarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17028863974858724867noreply@blogger.com