Did someone just call me a lady of leisure?

I don’t have a problem with the word ‘lady, although it does seem a little old-fashioned. But I do have a problem with being referred to as a ‘lady of leisure’, which has happened to me on more than one occasion.

If I was a lady of leisure I wouldn’t mind. If I spent my days relaxing on a beach sipping cocktails, or if I spent my days at home watching daytime television, or if, in fact, I did have a large amount of leisure time, it would sting a little less.

But refer to any mother, regardless of whether they work from home, go out to work or spend their time at home looking after their children, as a lady of leisure and I am sure you would get a similar reaction. Because mums are incredibly busy people.

To me the term lady of leisure implies that you do nothing, and any parent will tell you that could not be further from the truth. I have a problem, in fact, without anyone who seems to think that mums have an easy time, that stay at home mums in particular simply go to one coffee morning after another. It simply isn’t the case.

In praise of mums everywhere

Parenting can be exhausting and draining and it’s not a role you can walk away from at five o’clock each evening. I’d like to see mums praised a little more in society. I’d like to put an end to the blame that is often placed at the door of parents who are doing the best they can. I’d like mums everywhere to feel a little bit more appreciated at times.

As for being called a ‘lady of leisure’, when I’m relaxing on that beach, cocktail in hand, taking a well-earned break, then it’s absolutely fine. But until then, while I’m ironing school uniform, preparing endless meals, supervising homework and meeting work commitments, let’s give the term a miss shall we?

What do you think? Does the term lady of leisure offend you? Do you think mums are left feeling a little underappreciated at times?