Nevertheless, secret to calmer, happier parenting: one-night stands. Although, it wasn't just one night
Random Thoughts: Why Bridget Jones, wanton sex goddess and mother, remains as relevant than ever
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READ ALL ABOUT IT! I’m interrupting this post so that I can take a second to scream from the rooftops about the latest edition of Beth’s TV & Film Recommendations. Why? Because Beth Lisogorsky, Helen Cox, and I offer two choice picks each of Mom-centric pop culture! Check it out! (Once you’ve finished reading the rest of this post though.)
Now back to your regularly scheduled program.
SPOILER ALERT! If you haven’t seen or read Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, come back when you have. Everyone else, onward!
When thinking about relatable women who are mothers in pop culture for this Mother’s Day piece, my brain immediately supplied me with a perfect answer. Could I give flowers to screen moms like Lorelai Gilmore or Morticia Addams or Carol Brady or Bow Johnson or Penelope Alvarez? Of course.
Instead, I opted for the potentially less obvious alternative.
The woman I’m talking about is English. (Yes, I know the U.K. celebrated Mothering Sunday on March 30. That’s why this is so brilliant!) She also happens to be an icon and was once described as someone who “smokes like a chimney, drinks like a fish, and dresses like her mother.” (To be fair, this comment was made by the woman’s future husband at a New Year’s Day turkey curry buffet hosted by his future in-laws and is 100 percent true.)
Not to mention that she speaks her mind, stands up for herself, unwittingly enters romantic triangles on the regular, finds herself in embarrassing situations, handles those embarrassing situations with aplomb; is weight conscious, evocative, self-aware, loved unconditionally by those who know her; and was famously once told, “I like you. Just as you are.” (Again, to be fair, this comment was made by the woman’s future husband and is now what every person longs to hear — preferably from Colin Firth.)
(Okay, fine. The Colin Firth bit is just me. And yeah, I would be emotionally set for life if he ever told me that.)
As you have probably sussed out by now (and if you haven’t, I have questions) I’m talking about the one and only Bridget Jones.
Whether a singleton, a widow, or a mother, Bridget is Everywoman — not one of many but, IMHO, the ultimate iteration. Hell, Chaka Khan sang it loud and proud on the Bridget Jones’s Diary soundtrack. Bridget may not be everything to everybody, but most women can see a part of themselves in her.
Over the course of three novels by Helen Fielding and four films, Bridget evolves just enough as not to completely lose her naïveté. She would probably tell you that she sees the best parts of herself (and so much of her beloved late husband Mark) in her two children. It’s clear in Mad About the Boy, the final book and film, she wants to do right by them; finding a way to do that while being true to herself and having her wants/needs met is the tricky bit.
Even though she is a romcom heroine, Bridget didn't get the typical romantic comedy happily ever after. The one we were all expecting following the climatic snog in the snow with Mark Darcy wrapping his coat around his scantily clad new girlfriend and her genuinely tiny knickers.
A widowed mother of two when we catch up with her in Mad About the Boy, Bridget is emerging from her grieving period yet painfully aware she has to be both mother and father to her son and daughter, who miss Mark as much as their mum does. How Bridget manages this precarious balancing act of being there for her kids while finding her way back into the (dating) world is as messy as you would expect.
Nanny Chloe is a very smart hire. She's great with the kids and keeps them on schedule better than Bridget, which is a relief most days. However, there are moments when Bridget's guilt and insecurity kicks in making her resent her practically perfect nanny for being able to do without breaking a sweat what Bridget struggles to accomplish — and not always successfully.
Part of Bridget believes she should be able to do it all, to be Supermom — capable of organizing her children's lives in a single morning. It's only when Chloe and her boyfriend split up that the spell is broken for Bridget; she finally sees Chloe as a mere mortal and understands that even seemingly perfect people lead rather imperfect lives like the rest of us. It's a weight off Bridget's shoulders, one that we all can relate to regardless if we're willing to admit it.
When it comes to addressing her own needs as a woman (as opposed to those as a mum), Bridget finds a balance of sorts with Bachelor No. 1. Her age gap romance with a twentysomething hottie and his washboard abs gives Bridget a fun distraction yet ultimately reveals itself to be what it was always intended to be — a fling. Her children aren't heartbroken by Roxster's sudden disappearance (he was a minor presence and simply a Friend of Mummy as far as they’re concerned) and ultimately, neither is Bridget for she saw the flaws in the pairing from the off. But what a fantastic toyboy to have when climbing back on the sex horse!
Bachelor No. 2 is the dark horse who snuck up on her and the kids. He's been there, almost working behind the scenes. No, not perennial ladies' man Daniel Cleaver. Former love interest and now godfather to Billy and Mabel, Uncle Daniel has become one of Bridget's dearest friends. Despite his constant flirting (c'mon. Did you really think he would stop?), their relationship is in the perfect place now.
In regards to Bachelor No. 2, I’m referring to Billy’s science teacher, Scott Wallaker. He’s a graduate of the Mark Darcy School for Grumpy, Handsome Men™️and in the tried and true tradition of grumpy x sunshine romances, Mr. Wallaker is in the prime position to win our gradually-returning-to-merry widow’s heart. (Bonus points awarded for being Billy’s favorite instructor.)
For four years, Bridget (and her children) lived in the emotional black hole that opened up in the wake of Mark’s death. She leaned heavily on her friends, focused on Billy and Mabel, and did what was necessary to keep moving forward. It was hard and painful — at times, unbelievably so — yet she did it because she learned a long time ago that no woman was an island. That sometimes it takes a village and her village was there for her when she needed them most.
Her reward for surviving such a devastating loss — aside from two amazing kids and that very special village — is a chance to start her next chapter with optimism, a fair amount of alcohol, and a big (healing) heart that’s ready to love again.
Bridget Jones is chaotic AF. No one is arguing this, least of all her. She’s also the ideal contemporary screwball comedy heroine that we need and deserve. For all her faults, Bridget reflects the modern woman and mother with courage, honesty, and a fabulous sense of humor.
This is why I like love her… just as she is.
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