11
‘junk food’. The subject-position that Sian constructs within her SE moves suggests that
for these women a 'good mother' is someone who shows awareness that their child
shouldn’t indulge in too much ‘rubbish’ and junk food but also allows their child the
freedom to indulge in treats on special occasions. Liz offer a GSM move (line 20),
showing sympathy to both Lisa's condition and Sian's discursive claim to good
mothering. Sian’s FTAp move admitting she has allowed her daughter to attend two
parties in one evening could elicit a negative response from the others but Liz’s
supportive response (L16) suggests on this occasion that Sian’s claim to good mothering
is not being challenged.
‘Look at me’: The 'inadequate' mother.
One of the dominant themes in the schoolyard data was discussion of the
problems involved in getting the children ready for school while managing to cope with
other domestic tasks.
Extract 6
25
Cathy: (pointing to her trousers which are not fastened properly) ooh look at me
half
TI
26
blooming dressed (.) look Jenny (laughter) oh I tell you (.) I'm getting
worse
27
I'm
getting
worse
CEs
28
Sian: your straps (looking at Cathy's legs) are half
FTAp
+ CEo
Convention