Firstly I am in no way nay-saying Rachael nor mothers nor the "superfrazzled" mother portrayed on the show today. But, I do have some problems with the traditional values and morals that had a large part in the presentation of her plight.

I'm so glad Rachael used her medium to shed light on this part of a woman's life. The "frazzled-ness" of women IS a problem that needs a solution. My issue lies in the framework used to present this issue.

Many times the busy-ness and stress in the mother's life was referred to as "her problem", "Mom's problem", "the problem with her schedule" when I would say it should be the problem of (at least) the father too. Throughout this portion of the program she sat alone at the table with Rachael and the expert while the father sat in the audience. The one time he was referred to or actually participated in the conversation was to scoff at the idea of him making his own lunch! Now I can assume the possibilities of him participating in the housework or of him giving up some time to help out, etc. etc. were exhausted - but I still do not see the necessity of excluding the male from discussions concerning his wife.

Most tragically, when she mourned the loss of their "intimacy" at one point it was referred to as him "wanting something" (insert laughs here...). Now beyond trying to go to school, work to support the family, cook, clean, and tend to the children now she must set aside time because he's "wanting something". It's just very sad. I imagine that she misses it too - must we use such traditional terms to describe their sexuality?

Rescending my last claim because I think THIS is the most tragic part - I cannot believe that the only solution to THEIR problem was for the woman to delay school. I do not know enough about their finances now their schedules to fully campaign for a different solution - but this sends a message to many someday-will-be-mothers of what to prioritize in our futures. Well, I reject this lack of creativity and close-to misogyny. When I have a scheduling problem because my priorities are (mine and my partner's) children and (mine and my partner's) housework I will expect my partner to be fully present in their solution. It's 2008 after all - and I can reclaim the kitchen for the enjoyment of food by watching Rachael, but not at the expense of my dignity.

AMEN AMEN AMEN!! Perhaps enough time was not given to the topic, which may be why they did not talk to "the husband" more, but I agree that way too much emphasis was put on "the wife." The audience does not know enough details about this family and their situation, including financial, to be judges, but we also don't know enough about this life coach who was advising the wife (have to check her name, that's why I'm calling her "the wife").

Honestly, I wonder about the life coach's credentials.
If she were a true professional with actual psychological training, I believe that she would have stopped dealing with such an overwhelmed woman on air after the first segment. It was a total train wreck of a series of segments.

As I said in my other post: SHAME ON YOU RACHEAL RAY SHOW. I won't be able to stomach this show anymore, or at least for a while. I am so offended.

I am just glad that so many other folks were offended as well, it makes me feel better to know that I am not taking crazy pills.

I am still burning about this show...

So many women think that have to be everything and do everything. It's the unfortunate truth. The life coach was trying to get across to Rania that something has to give. Okay, giving up school, maybe not an option. But cutting back certainly could be one. One thing would be trying not to have a perfect house. I have 2 young children and I gave up on having a meticulous house. Kids are messy. Let the dishes go once in a while, vacuum once a week, laundry 2 times a week. Sure the husband should make his own lunch, help with dinner, help with the house, and watch the kids, too. But control over those things have divided to some degree. Some mothers and a few fathers don't want to give up control. That certainly could be part of the problem.