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Like many full-time working mothers, I live with an incessant mini-music – “An essay to finish tonight! –, intensity – “No more bread in the freezer!” –, slowly – “Registrations in the entertainment center! » – or fast – « We finish at noon! “.
When I arrived on Friday, January 20, my inner melody suddenly stopped 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. I know I don’t have enough fuel to do it right. It’s as simple as that. » Jacinda Ardern became pregnant before the 2017 election. She gave birth and took six weeks of maternity leave while in office. When she returned, her husband, a TV presenter, chose to become a stay-at-home dad. In September 2018, the Prime Minister attended the United Nations Annual General Assembly with her 3-month-old daughter Neve.
Jacinda Ardern added in her statement: “I didn’t quit because it was tough. If that had been the case, I would 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 can find is this: I am human. (…) We give everything we have, as much as we can, 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. Looking 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, Clark: 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 I have no opinion on Jacinda Ardern’s record. Some have highlighted poor polls as pushing him to act. Maybe, but I see something else there: a powerful woman announcing that she is leaving her position to be with her family, because she is tired. A thousand thoughts hit me. I envied her; I appealed to her; I wondered if her own little music had become unbearable and what her daily life would be like. She, too, displayed the contents of her freezer in the middle of a diplomatic meeting.
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