Working Mums- the Incredible Balancing Act

Comment by Fiona on September 12, 2008 at 2:03pm

Hi I'm a working mum (just started back) and finding it difficult to make it all come together at the moment.

Comment by Joanna Ifield on November 28, 2008 at 8:05am

Hi
I am a newbie to this group. I am a working mum - have been for a while - and very frustrated by the fact that there is a lack of support for families who have no alternative and affordable back up (like grandarents) available when their child is sick and the parent has to work. If someone can find a way to provide emergency childcare services that are affordable, I think it would be a godsend to many parents.

Comment by Deanna on March 17, 2009 at 10:46am

I am now a mum of 3 and up until my 3rd child who was born DEC 2008 I was working full time. Both my children have been in daycare from 4mths. I suffered 'mother guilt' for a long time and if I think about I still do. However due to circumstances staying at home was not an option for us so I had to work out how to best spend quality time with my kids - this is what we did.
I work in the city but live approx 45 mins out, we made a decsion to enroll the kids into a city based daycare so they were close to us. Instead of driving we caught the train or bus. This way I had 45 mins quality time to read and play games have the morning cuddle and on the way home talk about our day. By the time the kids walked into daycare in the morning they were ready for a fun filled day and likewise when they got home - they were ready for a bath, dinner and bed. I found that spending this 'down time' constructively meant that both me and the kids had quality time.
When my eldest child was 4 I took him out to lunch once a week (not the same day each week as I didn't want to start a pattern I couldn't always control). Lunch became 'our time' and this is something he still remembers today.
So where is the 'me' time in all of this - there is none, I think to work something has to give and it's the one on one time with yourself. but it does come back. My motto as a working mum is 'if the kids are happy then so am I'. I am happy to talk further on this topic with others as I know I have provided colleagues of mine ideas on how to balance there lives and get the quality time with the kids.
Now have a wonderful day :o)

Comment by Megan Gibbons on April 8, 2009 at 4:08pm

Hi Everyone,
Well, like many of us I am a working Mum for a few reasons, I chose to become a working Mum so that I did not have to live so humbly in this day and age, I also wanted to keep very active and 'in touch'. I started a home business its what we call a Virtual Assistant business so I provide typing, formatting and general administratove assistance to businesses. My Mum lft her body when I was 16 so I dont have much help. I guess I do feel like a bit of a supermum because I cope with my lifestyle choice. I have a family friend mind my daughter 2 mornings a week which she loves she then sleeps in the afternoon which gives me plenty of time to work, and we attend a playgroup together on a Friday morning. I love every minute with my daughter I feel so blessed to be her Mum and I am looking forward to having more although I am a little apprehensive about how super I will be with 2 children and a step daughter!!hehe, never mind. I hope that if there are any other mums out there who have their working mum situations to share, I would love to hear from you, particularly those of you who are working from home.
Thanks for taking interets in my story, I look forward to chatting with you.
Megan

Comment by VARADA-ANIKA'S MOM on June 5, 2009 at 11:24am

HI ALL,
Well, i am a working mom too. And I love my profession. It is a bit hard to say bye bye to your little one:(

Comment by Maria on June 29, 2009 at 4:50pm

Hi there

I'm a first time Mum about to return to the work force full time. Before having my daughter, my job was my life. Now, whilst I am looking forward to going back, I worry about how I will cope being without the little girl who has become my life, how I will find the time to fit everything in and how my working will affect my baby.

Comment by Deanna on July 2, 2009 at 3:43pm

Maria I know what you mean about your job being your life. I was the same. I looked forward to heading back and now with my 3rd child who is almost 6 months my job is calling - more for the stimulation etc.... I will head back in the next couple of months. My along advice is to leave work at work and don't bring home the stress, try not to be on the mobile phone around your wee one, make sure that they know they have your undivided attention. Don't create a monster by giving material presents if you feel guilty etc, esp when they get older, give them more of your time and this will ensure harmony in the home :o) Good luck and enjoy being a 'super-mum' is a challenge but very rewarding once you get the mix right.

Comment by Debbie on July 17, 2009 at 2:23pm

Deanna, like you I am back at work full time. I had my frist baby in Dec 2008 and he is in childcare one day a week at the moment and my sister and mother in law are covering the other days.
I feel like the only Mum in the world that works, because my friends are stay at home mums or work part time.
I dont really LOVE my job, but we do need the money right now.
I am feeling pretty alone and its getting me down.
While I drive him to daycare which is near my work and about 40 minutes from home, one day a week, I feel that is the best day, because I see him for more time in the morning, and as soon as I finish work. I also get home sooner.
I am trying to find a closer daycare which is cheaper though, because while I love this one, its so expensive!
Would love to chat more to other working Mums!

Comment by Carly Tracey on September 1, 2009 at 12:36pm

Maria & Debbie, I hear exactly what you are saying! I had my son in April 2008 and before I had him ~ even up to the day before he was born ~ I was looking forward to getting back to work. Once he arrived, I couldn't think of anything worse than going back to work and leaving him. However, financially it was not an option not to return to work. I have been back at work full time since January and, whilst I do enjoy my job, I would much rather be at home with my son. He loves his day care centre (often cries when we try to take him home!), but that hasn't shed any of the mother guilt I feel. As a mother with PND also, this has only intensified my feelings of guilt! I am better able to keep the PND under control than I can juggle being a full time working Mum! My only way of reconciling it in own mind is that he has learned so much at kindy and just loves his carers and the other kids. I know only too well those feelings of being alone and struggling to cope. I often feel down about the whole situation and wonder how I can change things to make it better for my whole family.
I would love to hear from anyone who has the work/life balance just right!

Comment by Deanna on September 2, 2009 at 9:13pm

Hi Carly I to suffered PND with both my boys but now have it under control with my wee girl using GoChi - totally organic drink that you have twice a day, main ingredient is Gojoi Berries it's amazing. I no longer have to take any prescribed medication and my days are much easier and my husband is happy to have 'me' back. If you are interested in this take a look at www.feelingr8.com.au for further information. Should you wish to purchase email info@feelingr8.com.au. Good Luck :o)

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