Life

Marie Louise McConville: I have no time for whingers who don't know how lucky they are

Carey Mulligan, who earns millions per movie, has been having a wee whinge about expensive childcare while hitting out at film sets who don't have childcare. Picture by Isabel Infantes/PA
Carey Mulligan, who earns millions per movie, has been having a wee whinge about expensive childcare while hitting out at film sets who don't have childcare. Picture by Isabel Infantes/PA Carey Mulligan, who earns millions per movie, has been having a wee whinge about expensive childcare while hitting out at film sets who don't have childcare. Picture by Isabel Infantes/PA

I really can't stand whingers.

You know those people who needlessly complain about everything.

These are the type of people who don't know how lucky they are.

This week, Wall Street actress Carey Mulligan has really wound me up.

For those of you who don't know this English-born actress, she has appeared in a number of successful movies including The Great Gatsby, alongside Leonardo DiCaprio.

The 33-year-old is married to Marcus Mumford, lead singer of Mumford & Sons.

Not to be assuming too much but I'd say this couple, who are understood to have two young children, have a pretty decent lifestyle.

But, it's not enough, it would seem.

Having a little moan in recent days, Carey Mulligan spoke out about how film and TV sets are "limiting" for mothers who work on them because there is no childcare readily available.

The Mudbound star said she had never worked on a film that had childcare on set.

"It's incredibly difficult. Childcare is so expensive," she told the Radio Times.

"I've never, ever been on a set where they have childcare".

She added that if childcare was available on film sets "it would make it possible for a lot of talented people to come and do their job" adding : "At the moment, it's limiting".

Oh Carey, I feel your pain, I really do.

Imagine having to work somewhere that doesn't provide childcare - just awful.

Imagine having to find good childcare and pay for it and then having to leave your children there to go to work.

It's just terrible.

Time to wake up Ms Mulligan.

Yes, all us working mothers know just how expensive childcare is, the only difference being we aren't getting paid millions per movie and we aren't married to a very successful musician, who is most likely quite wealthy also.

Besides, why should film sets provide childcare?

The majority of employers do not provide childcare for their staff, what makes the film industry so different?

Why can't film workers put their children into a creche or find a childminder like the rest of us?

Believe me, none of us like having to do it, but we have no choice.

If you were on minimum wage, working shifts and having to pay childcare, then you would really be feeling limited.

Carey gets paid a good wage, does a job she seems to enjoy and has the luxury of having enough money to pay for it all and more.

Enough already.

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It’s hats off to Disney On Ice this week following a fabulous show in Belfast last weekend.

I have to say, Abbie and I had a really great time at the Dream Big show, which featured a host of famous characters including Aladdin, Beauty and The Beast, Frozen and The Little Mermaid.

However, for us, the highlight was seeing Cinderella’s magical carriage appear in the ice and an appearance by our favourite Princess, Moana and of course, Maui.

Abbie was just mesmerised and it was wonderful to see.

Great job Disney - thanks for helping us make magical memories.

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Competition

With the cold weather upon us, how about just snuggling up on the sofa with a "wild thrilling novel"?

Top Dog by Jens Lapidus, who has been described as "the new Swedish thriller writer everyone’s been waiting for" is sure to get your pulse racing.

For decades, a secret network in Stockholm has been exploiting young girls, ruthlessly eliminating anyone who threatens to reveal their secret.

As oddly paired duo Teddy and Emelie – the thug and the lawyer – investigate, the terrifying noose tightens.

The police force has established a special team to find out just who’s involved in the network, but can’t seem to get close enough.

And who is it that’s trying to silence Teddy and Emelie, using any means necessary?

I have five copies of Top Dog to give away.

If you fancy winning a copy, simply email your name, address and telephone number – along with the answer to the question below – to competitions@irishnews.com

Closing date for entries is 12 noon on Tuesday, November 13, 2018

(Q) Who wrote Top Dog?

Normal Irish News Rules Apply

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The winners of The Ivory competition are Karen Hetherington, from Dungannon, Sally Coyle, from Swatragh, and Kieran McGarry, from Crumlin.