Could I cut it in the Thirties?

Procter and Gamble have been making products to make our lives easier for 80 years now.

They've recently release research entitled 'The Changing Face of Motherhood' highlighting how the role has changed over the eras.

I was brought up in the Seventies and Eighties - according to the research this is the period most of today's mums would like to have brought up their baby.

Procter and Gamble challenged me and other mummy bloggers to undertake the 'Life Before Procter and Gamble' challenge and spend a day as a 1930's housewife.

How could I resist!  I'm thinking evening cocktails, cigarette holders, flouncing around saying 'I love you darling, rarely I do' in a Brief Encounter kind of way.

Hmmm.  After speaking to my Nana who was a real-life 1930's housewife, it seems it wasn't exactly like this.  However, with four generations of females - Ruby, myself, my mum and my Nana I thought this would be a wonderful opportunity to learn about how things were different in different eras.  We spent some time reminiscing with Nana, talking about wash days and rationing!

We also spent quite a lot of time looking through old photographs, which was quite a thought-provoking experience.  We lost Grandad three years ago, and I often forget what he lived through.  It was good to remember how he'd fought in the war, and sad to see pictures of him and my Nana looking so youthful and full of energy.  In their younger days they had a tandem and used to cycle all over the country on it.

When my uncle was born, my Grandad was away in the army.  He was allowed 2 days leave to come home and see him, and then returned to duty.  My uncle didn't really get to know his dad until he returned after the war.  Very different times to nowadays with 2 weeks paternity leave, and me moaning when Ruby's dad is too late home from work some nights to give her a bath.

During the war my Nana worked as a Clippy on the buses, with family helping out with child-care.  Bringing up children during war-time must have been unimaginably tough.  Not only the fear of air raids, the worry about loved ones fighting abroad, but the rationing and hard work of running a household makes me realise how good we've got it now.

So tonight I plan to have my bath and put in my rollers in preparation for tomorrow's 1930s task - although if I end up looking more Shirley Temple than Greta Garbo, I shall be washing it straight out again.

Pop back soon to find out how I get on.