WHERE ARE OUR PUSHY DADS?

The Woman’s Own columnist has her say on ghosts and inspirational women

- DAWN NEESOM

Women are so often lumbered with the label, while men get a pat on the back for their supportive parenting.

Ladies, did you know there’s something only men are allowed to be and you’re definitely not?

No, not a blithering idiot – though that, obviously, is mostly rather accurate too! Yes, there’s another somewhat cocky answer there too, but this is a family magazine I’ll have you know!

It’s to do with your kids. Or even your grandkids or nephews and nieces.

And ambition.

As supermum extraordinaire Judy Murray pointed out recently, while encouraging his children to do well is dubbed a mum doing the same is seen as

Think about it.

Tiger Mums are very much a thing. Scary women who force their nippers to learn algebra, speak four foreign languages and be violin virtuosos – all by the age of four.

But have you ever heard of a Tiger Dad? No, you haven’t. Because they don’t exist. Instead they’re referred to as Brilliant Alpha Dads (or BAD for short, snigger). They might have little Johnny up all night learning his times tables before he’s out of nappies, but this makes him a caring, encouraging, wonderful person, apparently.

Meanwhile, women like Judy Murray – unemotional and branded

Curious isn’t it? Good parents – regardless of sex – surely just want the best for their children. And while both mums and dads can go too far in driving a child to achieve, be it in education, sport or music, most don’t. They motivate, inspire and aid.