Accepting something or being philosophical about it when you are the only wage earner in your family is not the same as being happy about it. I would imagine Lynne accepts it as she has to, I would bet she would give her eye teeth for a really good story line to sink her teeth into. She is really good actress, the viewers like Irene, so it is a bit of a mystery as to why the writers and producers keep her on the back burner all the time.
Long term viewers who remember the days when Irene got some decent story lines and when she was there in the thick of things with The Smiths, with Selin, Chloe, Joey, Nelson, Paris, and even occasionally with Barry though thats was wasted opportunity, will know what i am talking about. Iren was aprt of her kids lives then and intricate to their story lines and they to hers and it was fantastic viewing. I thik they are losing out by notusing her this way today.
I like the fact Irene always bounces back no matter what happens to her she just gets on with it, one of life's battlers, she will have a weep, then get back on track smile and get through it. You have to love her. I do