Sorry sexists, Jacinda Ardern's made for motherhood and being PM: Brodie Kane

Opinion

I'm kicking myself. I was chatting to a friendly bloke (probably in his 50s) who had come up to me to at the gym today to say he knew my Mum, so could I please pass on his regards.

The conversation moved on and I said to this man "How cool is it that Jacinda Ardern is pregnant?" To which he replied "Oh you're joking."

I asked why would I be joking and he replied something like "Well it's just ridiculous isn't it, that's just not right – but I'm old school, so…"

Now, I politely told him it would be wise if he went away and finished his workout. But now, I'm kicking myself.

When he said "but I'm old school", I now wish I replied with "nah,you're just a sexist dickhead."

The entire 35-minute drive home I stewed and stewed over why I hadn't come up with that response at the time.

But do you know what? He won't be alone in his thought process today.

In fact, the number of people out there who will even take the time out of their day to spew out some toxic waste on the comments section on various media sites will, quite frankly, be depressing.

Perhaps,the most common question will be, how on earth will she run the country properly while bringing up a baby?

Well, I'll tell you how.

She'll do it the same way my Grandma did, working as a nurse full-time while raising nine children, putting meals on the table, cleaning the house and providing them with a safe and healthy home.

She'll do it the same way my mother raised my brother for the first six years of his life on her own, with bugger all money, holding down two jobs to make sure she could provide for him.

She'll do it the same way my sister-in-law does, going back to work eight weeks after having her third child, with my brother taking up the role of stay-at-home Dad.

She'll do it the same way the late Benazir Bhutto – who was Prime Minister for two separate terms in Pakistan – gave birth during both those terms.

She'll do it the same way the Queen did – who had Prince Andrew and Prince Edward all while she was busy Queening.

And you know what?

She'll do it the same way millions of remarkable, strong, brave women - and men - do it, every single day.

* Brodie Kane is the co-host of The Hits morning show in Christchurch.