I’m having one of those days, slightly ranty, more than a little frazzled and confused, always confused… 
Everywhere I turn I see fabulous women and men with real talent who are paralysed by insecurity, or juggling everything to make things work and condemning themselves when they don’t quite keep all the balls in the air. I read columns written by women who claim to empathise whilst directing the nanny, the cleaner and the PA to do all the things that normal folk berate themselves for not managing. (Actually I’m not going to do that one anymore, it sends my ranty levels to overload.)
Many of us are lucky enough to have OHs who take on at least some of the workload, or families living nearby who pop in and lend a hand now and again, but we’re not all that fortunate.
I’m here to say two things:-
1) We’re all in this together, undermining each other is not an option, and;
2) We’ve all got a talent, hidden or otherwise that we can share (it might not be anything useful but a talent’s a talent!)
So, in a terribly un-British attempt to cheer myself up and in the absence of being able to change the world, I want to hear what your talents are. If you’re too shy to write in the comments, at least jot them down on a piece of paper and keep it somewhere where you can glance at it regularly and remind yourself that you are a multi-faceted, amazing person.
Because you are, you’re wonderful and it’s time you started believing that!
So, I’ll start the ball rolling:
1) I’m pretty good at my job, when I get the time to do it.
2) I can say the alphabet backwards, without prompts
3) I haven’t done it for years but I can macramé a mean pot holder!
Your turn now, it can be one thing or 20 and as random as you like, but do it now and remind yourself that you’re so much more than the sum of your parts…
Yes, we often don’t give ourselves enough credit for all the juggling acts we perform in our lives. Bringing up kids for one is a massively difficult job, even though so many of us manage it superbly. If I may blow my own trumpet then: I’m good at written English, writing stories. I’m good at bringing up my autistic daughter, knowing how to cope and deal with her. I’m very good at ignoring ignorant people who stare at us in the street.
I’ll write the rest down and put it in my skeleton cupboard.
CJ xx
My children are, apparently, a credit to me. I have been told that a few times.
I am pretty good in a crisis. I think I write well when I put my mind to it. I’ve done well with my volunteering to get a team going and helping other volunteers to be better as well, in lots of different ways which ultimately helps the people they are helping. And I cook pretty well, even tho I have no desire to go on Masterchef!
And I appear to be not bad at selling the odd bit of advertising….
Its good to sit down and evaluate in a positive way, something I don’t do often because I am too busy focuing on what I don’t get done (aaaargh housework lol). Like CJ, I am a great Mum to my children, the best there is for them, including my son with autism. Nobody can be as good for my children as I am, I have absolutely no doubts about that. I am also really good at handcrafts, sewing etc, I hobby I don’t get much time for, but it will come around soon enough. I think I will do as you suggest and write a few bits down on paper, to remind me on the ‘not so good’ days 🙂 Thanks. Jen.
I read columns written by women who claim to empathise whilst directing the nanny, the cleaner and the PA to do all the things that normal folk berate themselves for not managing
Totally with you on that one… and the people who criticise parenting methods who don’t actually have children themselves… aaarrrggghhh *self combusts*
I think we should all stand in a circle and turn to the right… give the person in front of you a pat on the back for a job well done.
(courtesy of The Commitments)
I am good at:
Cross-stitching
Driving fast (maybe I shouldn’t admit that)
Swingball
Pub Quizzes
And I now have HSM “We’re All In This Together” running on a loop in my head!!! That *was* intentional, wasn’t it.
Can I order a macrame pot holder please? I haven’t seen one of those for YEARS!! 😀 I want it for my bathroom.
Hear bloody hear! Too often parents spend time thinking about the negatives and not the positives. It is one of my regular rants that we are “all in this together” and I despair at the lack of support some people (sadly, often women) give to other mothers. A bit of “big up yourself” is essential.
So following your lead, here’s my 3 things I’m good at….
1) I’m marvellous at making sure my daughter with ADHD gets all the support she needs educationally and via medical professionals. Quite the mummy-dragon at times but it works.
2) I make a damn good cake. Everyone ends up taking just a bit more than they think they should.
3) I’m very good at cleaning. I have to curb the desire to clean up whenever I go to people’s houses, not because I think they should but because I know I will be in my element doing it. I know. I am weird.
MD xx
It’s too easy to be negative about ourselves and focus on all we haven’t done. As soon as I tried to think of three things my mind went blank!! But after much thought:
1. baking
2. writing/editing
3. everyone compliments me on how fab my 17 yr old daughter is and what a great relationship we have. I’ve worked hard at that one and so far we’ve managed to get this far without any major nightmares. And even better we’re still friends!
I love this …
My 5 year old told me last night I make a good lasagne
I’m good on the wii, Mario Kart in particular, I thrash the 4 year old at it … Ahem
I have a wicked sense of humour
Thanks for kicking off CJ, you’re right, very few people give credit for how hard it is to bring up kids… we all go into it with our eyes firmly shut!
Good for you…remember to keep checking your list is the cupboard to remind yourself how great you are 🙂
Px
I’m very good at eating Mini Eggs. So good that I just ate a whole bag, all by myself.
well said that woman!
I’m a good cook – it doesn’t always look brilliant but it’s usually yummy. I can sew quite well and make nice things. I write well.
Crikey, i feel so un-British now i feel i must go and queue in the rain and engage in small talk about the weather for an hour as penance.
Well done Kate….why don’t you want to appear on Masterchef? Are you holding out for Gordon Ramsey?!
Px
Great stuff Jen… It’s all too easy to remind ourselves of our shortcomings, so lovely to read all these positive affirmations from some of the loveliest women I know…
Px
Great post.
I make people feel good about themselves.
I write like an angel.
And if my children are in any way a reflection of me, my parenting and my values then I must be doing something special. They are magnificent boys.
LOL at HSM….completely accidental but you’ll be happy to hear it’s been on permanent loop in my head too since you said it!
Driving Fast…I should have said that one, I LOVE driving fast!
Good work, Mrs O and consider the pot holder ordered- when’s your birthday? *crosses fingers that it’s not next week*
Px
I agree…there’s far too much competitive mothering goes on and it really hurts to feel you’ve been undermined, however unwittingly a comment may have been made.
I love your three, and I mean it sincerely when I say ANYTIME you’d like to come and clean at my house, you just say…I would NEVER think you’re weird. And I do know what you mean, at the weekend I caught myself cleaning my mother’s kitchen cupboard doors- something i rarely do here- why is that?!
Px
LOL, the same thing happened to me as I wrote the post, I got to the end and thought ‘Oh’ and really had to rack my brains!
Major kudos with your daughter, that must feel great. My youngest 2 are both girls and I pray that I can get them through the teenage years unscathed. It’s inspiring to hear that it’s possible…
Px
Big up Laura, and you must be EXCELLENT at Mario Kart…I don’t get anywhere near mine!
I bet there’s loads more as well…hope you’ve written them all down 🙂
Px
I could help you there…love that it’s Mini Egg season! Which reminds me…I have Easter Eggs hidden in the wardrobe and I’m having major choc cravings…not a good combination!
Px
You can take the girl out of Britain etc etc… 😉
Nice work H, you do loads more besides as well- organising the secret post club for one…
Px
Thank you 🙂
Making people feel good about themselves is fantastic talent…one of the best. The others are great too.
No link, so I can’t find out more 🙁
Thanks for visiting though
Px
What a fantastic idea. We should recite our lists every day.
I can also recite the alphabet backwards as fast as I can forwards. My Dad taught me when I was little!
I am kind and caring.
I can sing (I’m no Leona Lewis, but I can carry a tune)!
There, that’s my three! x
Thanks Sandy, and I agree…daily recitals should be mandatory!
My nan taught me, it’s weird how it becomes as easy as CBA 😉
Great work, keep adding to that list…
Px
This is a fantastic idea, P. Accentuate the positive! What am I good at? Hmm…
I can string sentences together in such a way that people enjoy reading them.
I am a whizz on an Apple Mac.
I can do the Vulcan greeting – with both hands!
I AM Doctor Pop!
Wow, even at stupid o’clock I feel better already.
HuN x
Thanks! I can do Vulcan greetings too (both hands…and I can separate all my toes without a toe separator- that just makes me weird doesn’t it?!)
Great talents…but what, or who is Doctor Pop? 🙂
Px
There are an awful lot of women here who I admire enormously, but you’re so right, we never give ourselves credit.
PS: I’m rather good at cupcakes :o)
I’m good at singing, I can knock together a limerick within a few minutes when I put my mind to it, I’m a bloody good cook, I give great hugs, and apparently I’ve got a great sense of humour.
I almost feel like I’m selling meself.
I’m cheap.
You are a lovely cupcake! More credit for all, that’s what I say x
LOL @ selling yourself…cheap you ain’t, just lovely, and talented! xx
I love this post…
I bake a mean cake
I am an organiser extrodinaire
I am a lover not a fighter!
Thank you…great talents, so lovely to see everyone celebrating themselves, especially on Mother’s Day.
Px