Gillian Anderson Applauds Working Moms

by Jennifer Jordan (Subscribe to Jennifer Jordan's posts) Jan 29th 2009 1:03PM

Being a working mom is hard. Gillian Anderson should know -- the well-known actress of television's X-Files is also mother of two (and is expecting a third). Anderson admits to using help with the kids to manage it all, and says she would struggle to raise her children without such assistance.

Anderson is thankful her work as an actress allows her to afford a nanny for her three children, Piper, 14, Oscar, 2, and baby Felix. In a recent post at her website, Anderson wrote, "You know, one of the things I am the most amazed at in life is women who raise children without help. Yes some people are more built for it than others, higher levels of the patience hormone, but hell it is HARD! And how the hell do you clean the house and make the dinner and do the shopping? I know I am sounding like a complete idiot here but I'm telling you, every last one of you from the beginning of time should be given a medal, and free health insurance, and food coupons, and a government subsidized housekeeper that comes in one day a week per child."

While I doubt we'll see anything like that from the U.S. or British governments, it is nice to know that even famous moms like Anderson face the same struggles as the rest of us. Of course, not everyone can afford a nanny or other childcare, but Gillian seems genuinely thankful she can afford such help.

What about you -- do you have help with the kids or the housework?

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Comments (15)

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Melissa 1-29-2009 @ 1:39PM

Gillian Anderson, you rock....that's all I wanted to say, while I bask in the glow of the applause I just cyber-received from Gillian Anderson lol.

Jamie 1-29-2009 @ 1:57PM

I am a stay-at-home mom and wonder how working Mothers pull it all off. I struggle with my home and two young boys. I do believe it is a difficult job and deserves a special reward. However, I would like to have my home cleaned too please (LOL). I have an 18 month old who is learning to self feed and my kitchen needs to be cleaned daily.

Congratulations to those working Mothers. You are very special indeed.

Middle Class 1-29-2009 @ 2:34PM

JAMIE............................"Working Moms" PAY $$$ others to take care of their children. A basic job application requires some background information. Babysitters/day care workers/care givers.... are simply people who usually cannot obtain work because of a lack of education, or criminal past. So, they take care of children for those who have no interest in caring for their own.

Kudos to you, for sacraficing and actually taking care of your children. You can say, "I raised them!" Most women want an award for dumping their babies off for others to care for. Then they put down Stay At Home Moms. Very sad indeed.

steff hartman 4-15-2009 @ 8:41AM

Even though you don't work outside the home, you are a working mom, too! After being home with my kids for 20 years, I am working outside the home and I now have to cut a lot of corners, as far as housekeeping. I also now get more help from my husband and family, where it used to all fall on me to do just about everything. So don't sell yourself short. And don't regret this precious time with your family, that flies by way too quickly!!!

Middle Class 1-29-2009 @ 2:37PM

You an bask in any imaginary glow you want. Infants and small children are dumped off every day by millions of women who have children, but have no interest in caring for them so they hire that out. Go ahead and give yourelf an award. You just forgot something.... Your child.

nsnasty3006 1-29-2009 @ 3:01PM

Middle Class,
Are you kidding me??? Working moms do not DUMP their kids off at a babysitter's because they don't want to raise them. Many women don't have a choice BUT to work because their husbands simply don't make enough money or because they are single. You said in your post that working moms put down stay at home moms, but what are you doing? Putting down working moms! Last time I checked, this is a FREE country (until Obama changes that) and I, as a working mom, respect other working moms and moms who stay home with their kids.

Jamie 1-30-2009 @ 8:37AM

Seriously, please don't reply to my comment and change the tone of it. I am very lucky that I can stay home with my children. But, it has it's challenges. My Husband hates his job and I am not a big fan either. With that there is not much we can do because we need money and medical care. I spent 5 years in college and had a job for 4 years as a computer programmer. When I quit to stay home, for the first year of my newborns life I was in and out of depression. The amount of time you have for yourself dwindles and getting used to the drudgery of laundry and cleaning in place of creating wonderful things can wear you down. Being a stay-at-home is not for everyone. I have found my place now and I don't have the episodes of depression anymore, but it cam with a lot of work at changing my lifestyle.

I love my children and I am glad I made the decision to stay home. But I am even more thankful that I had that choice financially. Everyone has their reasoning to work while they kids are in other people's care. I think it is rude and cruel to simply assume that they are bad mothers or that they don't want to be with their children. I will never understand that mentality.

Now that I am home, I don't get how working Mothers get it all done. Laundry, cleaning, and child rearing. I think they need to be praised. Good for you working Mom!

kriszara 3-09-2009 @ 10:43PM

Middleclass wrote that babysitters are just people who can't get work because of a lack of education or a criminal record.
I really hope you are a troll, because you are so far off the mark it shocked me.
Professional childcare workers and nannies are trained and go through a background check that includes clearance through the FBI database.
Not every woman is meant to be a full time mother. That kind of constant care and attention is very difficult to do. I am a professional childcaregiver and take pride in offering a safe, clean, stimulating and enjoying environment for the children I care for.
Kristine
http://www.happyhumans.frih.org

Desiree 1-29-2009 @ 3:10PM

Woah woah woah for the previous users who made htose rude comments about working moms, you need to step back. I am a working mom as well. I pay a prestigious day care to take care of my child for the minimum time allotted so I can work and make money to, oh whats the word, oh yeah, SURVIVE! You think I wouldnt enjoy staying home with my daughter and play and watch her grow 24/7? Seeing as how I havent won the lottery or become rich overnight, I dont see that happeneing. Does that mean I dont love her as much as other women who stay home? Does that mean I'm worse of a mother than they? I dont think so, and if you have something else to say, please email me!

Desireem126@aol.com

maria 1-29-2009 @ 4:49PM

Wow - when did this turn into one of those places we have to worry about anti-working mom rants???? Different strokes for different folks, everyone's different, etc., etc., etc. I don't criticize you for not contributing to your family's bank account - I don't assume that you have free and open days and spend your time eating bon bons while your kids watch tv -

We are all on the same side here - create strong families the best way we can - and love our children.

penny 1-30-2009 @ 11:47AM

I'll add my two cents in as a former daycare worker.
We are not the bottom of the barrel or uneducated or even a criminal, considering we need fingerprints and a background check to work in a center. I happen to have been both a working mom and a stay at home mom. When I was working I was lucky enough to work in a center, and my kids worked along side of me, best of both worlds if you ask me! Middle class, you simply cannot work in a daycare center for very long without the love and desire to be there PERIOD! I left only because I couldn't handle the politics of it all, anther story for another forum. I LOVE kids and will work with them in the future in a different area, I always tell news moms, Keep it real, If you love your job and work because you want to then let your kids know that, you don't love them any less you just need something for yourself. Never feel guilty about your decision to work, your kids will use it against you. Do what you need for yourself and your family and screw the rest of them:-)

Pavlina 1-30-2009 @ 12:38PM

Woah, some serious vitriol there. Middle class that comment was plain uncalled for, it was rude, inflammatory and very negative. I am glad for you that one of the parent in your household obviously makes enough money to keep the rest of the family well housed, fed and clothed. Hooray for you. The rest of us work for a living, and we have found ways to have a family and a career. Get off you high horse, and I hope you don't live in a glass house.

Shannon 2-26-2009 @ 10:54AM

Wow, I so miss Scully and the X-Files!

I applaud moms who work without help. I really can't figure out how they do it but they DO IT! It's also quite alright to have nannies to help out, but nannies need not do everything. Children should be allowed to help with the chores, no matter how privileged they are. It is a MUST! They need to learn the virtue of work at an early age. It is a good way to wean them into this thing we call life.

http://instantamber.com/news

Rmarie 3-10-2009 @ 8:17PM

Well i know how it is to have children and want to stay home with them. I wanted to stay home with my children and never had the opportunity to do that. But now me any many of my friends have that opportunity to stay home be their for our children and make money too. Its about of helping people in this economy of tuff times. And i really love what i do and i with setting my own hrs and still being there for my family. www.EveryOneBenefits.com/rms

steff hartman 4-15-2009 @ 8:58AM

This comment is for "Middle Class" ....she is clueless as far as what is involved in becoming a teacher in a child care center! If it is a licensed facility, there are yearly inspections from the DPW, background checks and fingerprinting of all employees, and those employees without at least an "Associate's Degree in Early Childhood" or a related field are not allowed to be left alone with children without an overseeing supervisor! Not only that, but all employees are required to take 6 hours of continuing ed. in the field, CPR, and Fire Safety Training. I would hope that employees in home-based centers or centers without licensure, would be those who enjoy caring for children. The job of finding a good place for your child's care remains with the parent. But to say that people who care for children are those who can[t get jobs anywhere else is totally false. I was a college foodservice manager, a catering managerand a nutrition project coordinator before I decided to stay home with my kids. I have a "BS in Education". Now I am working as a teacher in a childcare facility because my kids are almost grown. I work there because I not only hold the proper credentials, but also found that working with kids is my passion!!!! Best wishes to you with your family. You will never regret raising them yourself. But if you would need childcare, there are very capable reputable people out there who would love to take care of your kids!

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