Having a Feminist Nativity
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So our eldest is Mary in the school nativity. I am literally melting with pride and excitement and….the need to make the costume myself. This need is in no way related to guilt or being a competitive Mum (honestly). No this is because I wondered if Mary might need an image update. You see I think she is kind of bad ass. We all know how hard it is being a new Mum, she is no doubt knackered, wants to be in her jammies, overwhelmed with love but yet wondering how the hell this happened (even more so in her case) and still holding it all together and
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getting out the mince pies for some flaming visitors who have turned up far earlier than expected / invited. She is dressed (wearing white primarily – jeez post labour we all know this is a bad idea), out and about (admittedly my knowledge of the story is getting sketchy at this point) and doing her best to hold it all together.
I realised this as my own little lady was practising for her new role this morning; carrying Jesus under her arm whilst pushing the pram, dragging a ride on toy behind her and shouting, ”come on Joseph, hurry up” to her
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brother who was sat on the floor playing his own version which included a box of plastic food and a book (hmm how strangely accurate they have this scene).
I looked on Pinterest for cool Mary costumes but there were none. Stars, angels, the inn keeper all get some pretty ace suggestions but Mary is stuck wearing white with a hint of blue and, dare I say it, a little bit dull.
Don’t panic, I am not about to use a nativity to make a feminist statement. It would be very funny to dress her in a onesie with dribble down her shoulder (I know there
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would be plenty of parents who would get it). I even considered my own Selfish Mother sweater (the real Mary would definitely have approved surely) but probably a little too far from tradition.
I am also well aware that this need to make the costume comes from a slightly misguided notion that I am a crafter and have excess time on my hands. Neither of those things are strictly true.
So I will be off to the supermarket this afternoon because I know that regardless of costume I have my own little version of kick ass on a stage for the first time
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next week and my biggest challenge is going to be not sobbing uncontrollably knowing this fact…
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Helen Bryce - 30 Nov 15
So our eldest is Mary in the school nativity. I am literally melting with pride and excitement and….the need to make the costume myself. This need is in no way related to guilt or being a competitive Mum (honestly). No this is because I wondered if Mary might need an image update. You see I think she is kind of bad ass. We all know how hard it is being a new Mum, she is no doubt knackered, wants to be in her jammies, overwhelmed with love but yet wondering how the hell this happened (even more so in her case) and still holding it all together and getting out the mince pies for some flaming visitors who have turned up far earlier than expected / invited. She is dressed (wearing white primarily – jeez post labour we all know this is a bad idea), out and about (admittedly my knowledge of the story is getting sketchy at this point) and doing her best to hold it all together.
I realised this as my own little lady was practising for her new role this morning; carrying Jesus under her arm whilst pushing the pram, dragging a ride on toy behind her and shouting, “come on Joseph, hurry up” to her brother who was sat on the floor playing his own version which included a box of plastic food and a book (hmm how strangely accurate they have this scene).
I looked on Pinterest for cool Mary costumes but there were none. Stars, angels, the inn keeper all get some pretty ace suggestions but Mary is stuck wearing white with a hint of blue and, dare I say it, a little bit dull.
Don’t panic, I am not about to use a nativity to make a feminist statement. It would be very funny to dress her in a onesie with dribble down her shoulder (I know there would be plenty of parents who would get it). I even considered my own Selfish Mother sweater (the real Mary would definitely have approved surely) but probably a little too far from tradition.
I am also well aware that this need to make the costume comes from a slightly misguided notion that I am a crafter and have excess time on my hands. Neither of those things are strictly true.
So I will be off to the supermarket this afternoon because I know that regardless of costume I have my own little version of kick ass on a stage for the first time next week and my biggest challenge is going to be not sobbing uncontrollably knowing this fact…
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I'm Helen, founder of The Guilty Mothers Club which is all about supporting and inspiring women to fulfil their potential and ditch the guilt through events, workshops and an amazingly supportive and growing community. That's when I'm not having adventures with my 3 little ones (all under 5) and incredibly patient husband.
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