Newcastle 13CABS taxi driver Teanile Grant will be busy on Saturday night, picking up and dropping off people in inner city Newcastle and Hamilton, and wherever else her fares take her. She will probably finish at 3 or 4 in the morning and head home.
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For Mrs Grant, 31, a mother of three from Cardiff South, the best thing about Mother’s Day, which is this Sunday, is a sleep-in.
“I am hoping to sleep until 11. Go for a walk, spend the day out, and not cook dinner,” she said.
For her, Mother’s Day is about appreciated her kids, and her own mum.
She wishes the same for other mums: “enjoy your time with your kids, it doesn’t matter what you do”.
Mrs Grant has been driving a taxi full-time for about a year. Although women drivers are a rarity, the work suits her because the hours are flexible, allowing her to spend valuable time with her children – Kaleb, Noah and Zaliah.
The mothering skills don’t stop at home; she offers advice on the job when asked.
Is my skirt too short: “Depends on what angle you look at it from”.
Should I marry him: “Do you love him?”
My mum thinks I party too much: “You probably do party too much”.
Her mum named her after the 1970s American pop singer Toni Tennille, of Captain and Tennille fame (Love Will Keep Us Together), but she’s not a fan of their music.
“They’re not my cup of tea,” she said.
Yes, mums always tell the truth.
Jim Kellar
Jim Kellar writes about culture, art, food, drinks and music. He's been a journalist at the Newcastle Herald since 1997. jkellar@newcastleherald.com.au
Jim Kellar writes about culture, art, food, drinks and music. He's been a journalist at the Newcastle Herald since 1997. jkellar@newcastleherald.com.au
