Bristol Palin: Being a working mom is exhausting; So, uh, welcome to adulthood

Bristol Palin says working (all right, dancing) and being a mom at the same time is "exhausting."

"Mentally, it's exhausting," the 19-year-old tells "Extra." "Physically, it's exhausting. But I'm making it work."

So far, so good. Palin competes again tonight on ABC's "Dancing With the Stars."

Who knows, with Halloween coming this could be a real scary week because, as not quite everyone knows, Bristol and her partner Mark Ballas were among the bottom two last week. And some people know what that means.

The drama builds. But, first, these messages.

B. Palin also reveals that her mother, S. Palin, the professional politician who you may recall is in the rhetorical dancing business, plans to return to watch the show, assuming Bristol survives Tuesday's vote.

In fact, Sarah Palin will be in the Los Angeles area on Saturday to headline an afternoon Republican National Committee Victory Rally in Anaheim, even though the midterm election is not until Nov. 2. Advance tickets cost $20.10; get it? Palin will headline another RNC Victory Rally in Orlando on the following Saturday, Oct. 23.

Meanwhile -- my, isn't this a busy show-biz day? -- comes word that B. Palin is appearing in a new music video for the Alaskan rock band "Static Cycle." She wears a mink coat and hat actually shot by her mother on a long hunting trip. (We made up that hunting part.)

See a brief unedited promo video excerpt below.

 

-- Andrew Malcolm

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Photo: Greg Zabilski / ABC

Comments

[Brigid Dunn]

Is she kidding? What "work" is she talking about? Does she work for low pay and then go home to the "second shift" of cleaning, cooking and wondering how she'll pay the bills? Dancing with the Stars is not adulthood or real life, Bristol, honey.

[George Kilgore]

Who cares about what her mother is doing. You need to report on the daughter. You cant even report right with out sticking jab's in.

[RS]

I'm really sick and tired of the Palin family trying to criticize others and then become the very thing they criticize- what hypocrites they are- no talent just gossip and rhetoric......What a messy family!

[Gracehedz]

B.Palin is doing a great job. I'm not a fan of her mom, but your editorial is mean and biased. Tsk Tsk. She's gettin my vote baby!

[Tracey]

Bristol, please don't make excuses for your performance on DWTS! Other Mom's w/more children than you have done it and done a wonderful perfomance. (Withstanding Kate from the reality show). Quit whining and welcome to the world of children. By the way, where is the little one when you are rehearsing, etc...

[mercfan]

Bristol, try being a single mom and working a real job. That's exhausting. Not some TV show you mom helped you get on so she could sit pretty in the audience every week - for only 12 weeks.

[Phyllis Ward]

Thank you Bristol for being such a positive role model for young women. You decided to to the adult thing when you decided not to abort your beautiful son. I applaud you and your family for your moral christian values!

[Erin]

I have to totally agree with mercfan. Bristol needs to work a "REAL" job and not rely on "mommy" to help her as much as she has. I mean, a lot of us single parents don't have that. So why is Briston saying "Being a working mom is exhausting?" I just don't get it.

[Patrick Simpson]

Why do liberals hate Sarah Palin so much? Why is it so hard to just do a story on Bristol without throwing a cheap blow at Sarah. Could it be that they are threatened that people will respect her for her moral values and courage to speak about them in public. Good job Sarah and Bristol. Keep being the good role models you are. Way to overcome a bad mistake Bristol by not aborting you baby.

[jennifer]

I think Bristol is doing very well for a single mother. I think everyone needs to back off. She's only 19 and is just learning to be an adult and mother. She's got my vote every week. An who cares what her mothers doing u can judge her based on her mother they are to different people. HELLO....

[Belle]

Listen up Andrew Malcolm! Bristol may not be the swiftest of the dance floor, but she tries. Her dancing has nothing to do with her family, she is a grown-up. You are the most biased, rude and ridiculous writer around. You need to give her a break, she has done nothing wrong.You should know you cannot chose your parents, so STOP taking shots at her! People like you is why we have such a messed up world. She is 19, a mother, activist, and is still growing. How about you get a life, grow some balls, and realize take you blinders off! Put yourself in her shoes you jerk! Let her be and continue to try her hardest and in the meantime, find a new job, cause no one wants to hear your biased close minded OPINIONS!!!!

[RoBoWayne]

Uh...what?
Why do you feel the need to denigrate what Ms Palin said?
She was sharing her experience and YOU want to make that a bad thing?
Whew, says more about YOU that Ms Palin!

[Christine Greenawalt]

It's a shame that our world has so many judgemental individuals out there! It's not impossible to be the loving, caring and brillant folks as created, rather than all the competition of judging others! Your country is an awesome place, let's enjoy what we were given.....

[Eric]

I think people need to remember Bristol does work a regular job in Alaska plus she is a teen advocate. I think she's doing as good as she can on DWTS for as much that she is truly a regular person not an actor or star in any way. I think the judges on DWTS have been extremely cruel to her especially her scores last night. Good luck Bristol

[K.C.]

Exhausting? Really? Try getting a real minimum wage job WITH a college degree and worry about paying the bills. Grow up Bristol, you have NO clue. As far as the mention of her mother- who cares? Those ignorant comments from any privileged child are disgusting, regardless their parent's political affiliation.

[Maria]

Is it me or is that Mark Ballas all over Bristol? She seems VERY uncomfortable when he gets close to her to hug her or to show affection. I think she would dance mush better if she did not have a partner that wanted to get into her pants, been there done that and now she is a mommy..!!! Mark just give her some space.....

[God Tarp]

Working mom.....please.

[enoughalready]

I agree with Belle. She is a sweet girl who hasn't been tainted by fast living. She is still rather unassuming and innocent. She's 19 years old and has tried to take an event in her life, present the reality of single parenting and remove the "glamour" in an attempt to reduce teen birth rate. If her mother was NOT Sarah Palin, you would not be making these attacks on her. You are just mean and motivated by liberal bias. I also detect the same bias in Bruno's critique of her. I think her scores were unfair.

[Jean]

Why do you insist on being mean and cruel to Sarah Palin? What has she done to you? It seems to me that any Republican's child is "fair game" to the media. I have not heard any of you take cheap shots at anyone else's children. If you can't say anything good about them, do not say anything AT ALL! Do you not have any honor at all? I guess not. Well that is exactly one of the reasons people are fed up! If you have anything else to say about Bristol, remember, she is still a child. Who is supposed to be the adult here?
As far as Sarah Palin, she gets my vote, baby!

[Judy]

Way to go, Bristol. Yes, it's tough...but ignore that part and just move on. We all get tired. YES, you have a beautiful loving family and support system and that's what's lacking in the general Single Mom scenario where the Mom goes it alone. That alone should emphasize the importance of family, which the left seems so eager to destroy along w/ unborn babies. Believe in what you're doing. Your presentation has been admirable...you just need to feel the confidence that will give you an all out top notch performance. You've got a great partner in Mark and he treats you with complete respect. (Must be nice after your experience w/Levi who seems so totally lost and pathetic.).
Beautiful baby boy and I believe he and your little brother will help each other reach the highest goals in life that they are capable of achieving.

[Bella Rising]

The difference between Bristol and a liberal is that she doesn't have her hand out to the rest of us to help her while complaining about being *exhausted*! She had a job before DWTS called her and she took this opportunity for her and her son. Every one on here complaining about this would have taken the call too (your just jealous).

I think realizing an opportunity and reaching for it, while raising your son, is very much being an adult. Anyone who says they wouldn't have taken this opportunity is lying.

I mean, what is Kim Kardashian known for - a sex tape for heaven sakes!? That's her claim to fame. Did you complain when she was on DWTS - about how she didn't deserve it because her tape got her on the show. You show your envy so plainly....

[g]

Put yourself in her shoes

OK. Where's my brand new Escalade? Where's my appearance on network TV that was only offered me because of my mom's celebrity? Where's my paid speaking fee for my experience doing what many other 19 year olds have done without being rewarded the same way? Where's my all-expenses paid hotel stays?

Put yourself in her shoes - someone with no talent or skills who got lucky and is grabbing all the money while she can.

[IRRITATED IN CALI]

Yeah, get over it Bristol... No one feels bad for your teen mom a$$! Any real mom KNOWS its hard work, but they don't spoiled and then complain about it whilst the silver spoon handle is hanging out of their mouths! Being a parent is a choice... You chose this life so deal with it... Try being a real mom instead of a celebrity for no reason, like your mommy!

[Zippy]

Stay home with your kid and quit trying to be a dancer. You made your choice to screw and get pregnant so deal with it. Or give the kid to Levi.

[MT]

My god, you obama-lovers have lost your GD minds. All of you.

You are such babies to beat up on Bristol Palin for not a single reason. She isn't running for office--why attack her? You are woman haters. Face it, you GET OFF on bashing women. It's easy, it makes you feel good for a few seconds, then you realize again how pathetic your are and go look for Sarah Palin articles on which to vent your woman hate.

It's appears Bristol was probably just answering a question from someone interviewing her. And frankly, I just don't see anything here, at all. Certainly nothing that warranted this bizarre blog post.

AND I am as liberal as the come.

[eddie]

exhausted? she's 19.....maybe lose some of her fat would help......

[bert hastings]

Poor Bristol, she is finding out being a working mom. She is lucky, my grandmother raised four children by her self because her husband died. She held down a full time job as a chef working large banquets

[Mommie]

What Bristol is doing is a "real job" and hard work. Ask any other actor or dancer. She's a beautiful 19 yr-old, who is getting the best of her situation. I'm happy for her. The writer Andrew Malcolm is ridiculous. Send him back to school. Who hired him?

[Trysta]

Even the judges on Monday night commented that Bristol was putting no effort into her dancing. So much easier to just take the $20,000 for the week and say that you are entitled..... She is not the only mother of young children on the show--many do. She is the second heaviest on the show--Kyle is heavier but he is working his butt off. She is not the only person who is competing that is also balancing other jobs. BUT she is the competitor that puts in the fewest hours for practice and who spends the most time contacting the tabloids and trying to get another Palin story in the media. And she is the only competitor that seems to think that she is a DIVA, and this ranks higher than the title of STAR which the other competitors seem to have. And she had the entire Palin family in the front row last night and thank heavens, we didn't have to have them interviewed repeatedly, begging for votes to keep Bristol in the running. Enough of all the excuses, Bristol, you have been paid a lot of money and it is time for you to get honest with yourself and get to work on dancing. Your Mama has set an awful example for you--take the money and run!

[S. Clark]

Oh, I feel so much sympathy for Bristol.About as much as i would feel for any one who has a rich, influential mommy and all the opportunities in the world. In other words,NONE! Try living in the real world and trying to make a living,support two kids,pay the bills and still make it. People like Bristol Palin who incidently, is the worst possible example for young girls, make me sick. She has the world in her hands and still complains?Hey,Bristol go out get a Real Job and quit being a whiney little princess!!!

[Taylor]

Bristol--There is more to dancing than trying to look sexy! You wore nothing on the bottom--and Mark wore nothing on the top! What program do you think you are on--Sex and the Single Gal or Pajama Party. Dancing with the Stars has paid you over $200,000 for the job--now put a little effort into it and stop making lame excuses!

[steve]

Is Andrew jealous Bristol is a big TV star and he's only a "journalist" for a low class newspaper? I think she's doing a wonderful job.

[DTRAIN]

Look, another article taking cheap shots at the Palins. Doesn't suprise me. Must remind Bristol of High school, where the cool kids think it makes them cooler to take cheap shots at others. Sadly the maturity of Bristol is far beyond the cheap childish editorial bullying you can find here. The Palins may not be perfect, but few are, especially the editorial and blog writers found here. I guess when your own candle doesn't shine bright you figure trying to blow out theirs will make yours shine brighter. Good luck with that. To bad for you, most people who have any level of education and free thought can see right through the retoric to the pathetic attempts of the blogosphere to bully and demonize the Palins. The more they attack the Palins, the more people realize it is nothing more than desperation from the Left who have nothing better to hang their hats on.

[Janet]

First of all, Bristol Palin would not be on DWTS if Sara was not her mother. Do you think they are going to call your daughter to be on it? So, her mother IS part of the story no matter how you feel about it. And yes, being in music videos and TV is certainly more glamorous and pays better than what the rest of most single mothers have to chose from. So hearing her complain does grate on some of our nerves! And she is getting child support from that loser ex of hers because he is on the gravy train of no talent celebrity just like she is. It irks some of us that truly talented people can't catch a break but just because you have a famous parent (whoever they might be) you get all sorts of undeserved rewards. And contrary to what her mother says, premarital sex and motherhood certainly worked out well for Bristol didn't it? And they say Teen Mom on MTV glamorizes teenage pregnancy!

[Rose]

Since when being an unmarried teenage mother makes you a star? Amazing how other girls in the same position are labeled as having no morals and irresponsible for not using birth control. And what qualifies her as a star? Having an overbearing, annoying mother does not a star make!

[Amber]

Wow, if this isn't biased at all? How about you don't slant your report so much. How about your REPORT on something, not just set out to ruin people. And I'm sorry, what's wrong with hunting? Clearly you forget your roots.

Those of you saying dancing is not working - they are not just dancing those few minutes on TV. I think they practice like 8-10 hours a day of high energy dancing - I'd love to see any of you do it and then go home and not be tired.

If you don't like Sarah Palin that's fine, but it's just funny to me that people can be so judgemental of people they will never meet! How would your family appear if their every move was taped?

[Scott]

Wow. Could your article be a more thinly veiled, agenda-driven, downright immature (especially in its writing) attempt to bash the Palin family at large?

That's "journalism," I guess, huh? There is no more politically-driven (and again, so thinly veiled in that regard) career. I'd rather read something written by a lobbyist. At least they're honest, on the table, and we know where they stand.

That was hasty; it's clear where you stand, as well. Do you always show your cards so openly?

Unimpressed Reader

[Jebediah Bodegas]

I think they could've picked a better photo for the article. I think she's kind of cute from certain angles, though people around me seem to disagree. Anyway, I'll probably vote for Sara next election. This despite the fact that I'm not comfortable Bristol didn't use protection at such an early age, especially with this story coming out about aids in the porn industry because of unprotected sex. Personally, I don't want my kids to think it's ok to have sex at such an early age -- with or without condoms. Like it or not, she's a celebrity now, and her precocious past will come back to haunt her.

[Ann]

Wow, what a hypocritical article. Seriously, just because someone has differing opinions, you treat them like dirt. At least the American people are finally standing up to the media and this liberal gov. Times are a changing...you'll see come election day.

[Loreli Blake]

Good Morning! I don't see that anything Is wrong for anying body to work and take care of there family. know matter who they are.Why don't you find someone else to mess with or If you will to PICK ON?

[Lightweight]

Bristol Palin is doing a great job with the task of being a working mom.She is inspiring all those young un-wed single moms across our great land of opportunity.If all those young moms whose education has lacked,and the dream job or career suffered as they were launched into life prematurity,will just hang onto the life experience and wisdom of Bristol Palin, maybe she can lead them to the single parent promise land. Young mothers across America are fortunate to have such examples as Bristol who has walked in their shoes. Makes me wonder what the condidtion of the next generation will look like?

[thomas]

WoW!! i feel so freaken sorry for her!!What a baby..

[jazai5858]

People keep commenting on Bristol's Christian morals. Where were those morals when she was getting busy which led to a baby? Double standards?? Get Serious. Oh that's it right. Don't do as I do...Do as I say.

[Jerry Reiner]

How much did this "working mom" make from being a "role model" for single mothers? My daughter is a single mom and earns far less than Ms Palin. She doesn't have the luxury of being exhausted. And for some strange reason my daughter has never been invited to give a speech (for a fee) or perform on "Dancing With the Stars". I am so tired of the Palin family parlaying their celebrity status into personal fortune

[Rockdiva]

Personally..in my opinion..I think that Bristol is "GLAMORIZING" having sex out of wedlock, as a teen.. resulting in having a baby. I am glad she didn't take the easy way out which would have been to abort her child...BUT! She has a mom for a public figure and she really isn't hurting for money. Soo..her "single motherhood" is a farce because she has to have a nanny somewhere or she would not be doing the things shes doing..besides SHE is a "CELEBRITY' by default!..AND when she public speaks on (I don't know what because she hasn't proven anything!) she is paid 30 thousand dollars for an hour!!! Not bad for a small town girl who is a "single mom"...

P.S. How many single moms do you know get to dance on "Dancing with the Stars?????" YEAH RIGHT BRISTOL!!!!!!!!!!!

[Dego]

Too bad the reporter had to be so snotty in comments about Bristol. Otherwise interesting.

[obamageddon]

All you posters..... You are nothing but professional Haters.

Just think, someday you might be
relevant.

Not.

[obamageddon]

THIS GIRL DID NOT HAVE TO DO THIS SHOW

SHE KNEW BY DOING IT THAT SHE WOULD BE WALKING INTO YOU PEOPLE'S JUDGMENTAL PUNK REVIEWS

SHE KNEW IT AND DID IT ANYWAY

YOU PEOPLE SUCK

SHE HAS GUTS

YOU PEOPLE REPRESENT THE WANNABE'S AND WISH-YOU-COULDA'BEEN'S

BYE BYE BABIES

[Twirling]

Bristol was working in an orthodontist office in Anchorage to support her son when DWTS called her. She has done nothing to anyone except try to answer stupid questions truthfully. She was asked to join DWTS with a chance to make a lot of money - which any of these nasty bloggers would have done had they the chance - and she said yes. There are millions of teens out there who have had babies out of wedlock and the media and bloggers act like she's the only one in history and should be crucified and hanged for committing a heinous crime. She is working to support her child and has taken responsibility for her actions. She has been given opportunities because of her mother and has decided to accept the offers - again, no crime committed. Why don't all of you negative people get on the band wagon and oppose illegal immigration, the fleecing of America by MANY gov't leaders, the raping of our SS fund, Medicare and Medicaid by those who have no right to get this funding along with all the food stamps being given out to people who have no right? We need to focus on the needs of this country and not on one young girl who is doing nothing except accepting work that is offered to her to make a home for her child.

[Mike B]

working mom? huh? I don't get it!