A chara, - For my part, the heartfelt defence of celebrity fatherhood by Harry Ferguson and Fergus Hogan (The Irish Times, June 3rd), provoked some reverse reflection. I now realise (silly me) that if enough rich and famous men are seen to be practising proud and caring parenthood, it must mean that things have changed.
Poor Tony Blair. How does he even get the time to be photographed with little Leo? He must have squeezed in the photo sessions between feeds, rotating nappies and snatched moments of sleep. How he manages to appear fresh and clean, without a spittle-encrusted shirt, is beyond me. What a man! Now he hasn't let himself go. There he is, singlehandedly (well, almost - he has a working wife, for God's sake, what sort of mother can she be?) managing the home and a demanding brood, cooking the nutritious meals, wiping the noses and nurturing the talents.
Whew, this is such a relief. There am I, 32, childless, with my biological clock ticking, feeling inadequate. My child-rearing resume is confined to the occasional purchase of chocolate buttons for ingratiating purposes. I now know that if I go forward and procreate, it is very likely I will receive psychological and above all, equable practical support from the father.
Great. I don't suppose that Harry Ferguson or Fergus Hogan are fertile and single? - Is mise,
Gertrude Sampson, The Craft Village, Dingle, Co Kerry.