This post is taken from the weekly newsletter “Darons Daronnes” on parenthood, sent every Wednesday at 6 p.m. You can register for it for free here.
Like many full-time working mothers, I live with an incessant little music in my head delivering high notes one after the other – “an article to finish tonight! –, serious – “no more bread in the freezer!” –, slow – “registrations at the recreation center! » – or fast – « we finish at noon! “.
My internal melody suddenly stopped on Friday, January 20, when I came across the video of New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announcing her resignation after five years in power. Facing the camera, the 42-year-old says: “I know what this position requires. And I know I don’t have enough fuel to do it right. It’s as simple as that. » Jacinda Ardern became pregnant just before her election in 2017. She gave birth and took six weeks of maternity leave while in office. Upon her return, her husband, a TV presenter, chose to become a stay-at-home dad. In September 2018, the prime minister attended the annual general assembly of the United Nations with her 3-month-old daughter, Neve.
In her statement, Jacinda Ardern further said: “I’m not leaving because it’s hard. If that was the case, I would probably have stopped after two months. (…) I know there will be a lot of speculation about the “real” reason for my departure. The only explanation you will find is this: I am human. (…) We give everything we have, as long as possible, and one day, it’s time to stop. And for me, it’s time. » Her voice trembling with emotion, she concludes: “After that, I have no plans. I look forward to spending time with family again. (…) Yours, Neve: Mom can’t wait to be by your side as you start school this year. To you, Clarke: let’s finally get married! »
The “good” and the “bad” mother
This video shocked me. If you haven’t seen it, take five minutes to watch it. I have never set foot in New Zealand and have no opinion on Jacinda Ardern’s record. Some have highlighted the bad polls that would have pushed her to act. Perhaps, but I see something else there: a woman of power who announces that she is leaving her post to be with her family, and because she is tired. A thousand thoughts assailed me. I envied her; I complained to her; I wondered if her own little music had become unbearable, and what her daily life might look like. If she too, in the middle of a diplomatic meeting, she visualized the contents of her freezer.
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