They don't see the supermarket shopping, the state of my skirting boards, the keeping on top of school notices and the "your child wants to do waterpolo so can you sign here, pay $100 and also be a parent-helper" forms.
The begging babysitters at short notice, the "knock on every door down your street to ask for money because our school needs some new tambourines" fundraisers, the numerous presents for the kids' friends birthday parties, the doctor's appointments, the cat vaccinations, the gardening, the banking and insurance and bills, bills, bills. "Then you really should get a nanny/cleaner/PA ... because your life would be SO much easier if you did," is what they tend to say if I ever do get the chance to vent my spleen about how staggeringly crap it is being middle class. Are these people on peyote? I really love my job, but it can sometimes be a bit of a financial stretch just to keep my eight-week hair appointments let alone pay someone to scrub the shower, swing past school to collect the kids or sort out my spreadsheets. Sheesh!
Actually, now that I've taken a few moments to think about it, those last few paragraphs are little more than a petulant, post-Christmas rant from a woman who should know better.
She should, in fact, calm down, take a deep breath and get over herself. Because life is good when you are loved.
Always be thankful for what you have.
Learn to say "no" more often because money isn't everything and suck it up, Yvonne. It's pride not money stopping you from getting help with the cleaning.
Stop complaining, spend less on your hair and more on your sanity and the world will be a better place.
Cheers! I'll drink to that.