Working Mummies Support Group #2

[wysiwyg]

Hugs TT

I think Work life balance concept doesn't really work - because it puts the idea in your head that the time should be balanced between the two and that is pretty difficult to achieve (unless you include sleep on the life side) - I like to think of it now as minimizing work vs life conflict. I think I am at peace with the idea of working now, but it has taken a while and I have the added benefit of having had periods of not being able to find work and be very short of money which I can look back on whenever I think the 'is this all worth it' thoughts.

[Astrid]

Hi ladies, sorry been slack with this thread.

I am ok with working. I know I am better for the challenge outside of home, I know I am better having less money stress (still there, but not as bad). I know that I am fortunate that I work school hours, which takes away some of that juggle. The balance still gets out of whack though, I think wysiwyg is right about it being more conflict than balance. I think the life part has a lot of components that need to be juggled (me time, kids time, DH time, house work, school stuff, etc) and then you add work in on top of it. It seems like work is what is tipping the balance, but it is really only one part of it all.

[OceanPrincess]

Wysiwyg great minds, I just enrolled in TAE with ABA. $190 - win. The course I was looking at was a full Diploma I think. So I decided to start with the TAE which is a cert IV and will be able to credit across if I decide to do the full HR diploma. The TAE should get me going - I love training with the ABA so I'm already excited about that.

In other news, I applied for a new job today. Lol. I saw a position advertised internally last week for a "Learning Consultant", which sounded pretty good and even though I don't have any actual HR qualifications I looked at what they were asking for and went "know what, I could do that." Heaps of the skills they are asking for I easily have from my BA stuff and it'll get me into L&D, which is awesome.

So, we'll see.

Teeki, I'm sorry to hear you're struggling. I feel your pain wysiwyg has a very accurate take on things... But I get you. Our family works better when I am at home. So, my plan is to change things or make it work. In the change camp is new job. In the make it work area is things like start meal planning, organise a washing/cleaning roster (so DH can do stuff - he is willing to help but he often just doesn't see things that need to be done)... I just need to be organised.

[nyigi]

Yep I agree OP. I made a plan to finish up with my thesis on the 22nd. I don't want to just drop everything now but I need to be realistic and also make a firm stopping date. Though now I'm not so sure... I just got back from my follow up scan and everything is looking normal now and it looks like a false scare the other week. So now I'm wondering if I should keep working a little longer... I think I should stick with my plan. But I also have no idea what I'll do with myself for 3 weeks if I finish up and the baby takes his time arriving.

OP: Great news on the course and job application. Best of luck with it! Sounds like a great opportunity.

Teeki sorry to hear you're struggling. It's really hard to make it all work. Completely agree with the others that it's not so much about finding balance as about minimizing conflict and finding something that works ok for you at the time (much as I would like to I never seem to be able to find a stable solution). Good luck!

[MummyNaomi]

Teeki - hope the balance all falls into place. My bestie is in the same boat, she cant seem to get the worklife balance happening with the kids and she is totally miserable and not quite sure what direction to take. She's just muddling through at the moment and is not in a good place. Its so hard keeping on top of everything when the only perk of working is the money

OP - Good Luck with the Learning Consultant role - sounds interesting

nyigi - not long now!

wysiwyg - Yeah, I guess work/life balance has a different meaning to all. For me its about not compromising on the non-negotiable family stuff - eg being home at dinner and bedtime for the kids, being able to be involved in some school stuff, and being able to have the luxury of our weekends free for us to fill without work pressures. Having those priorities certainly mean there are some job opportunities that I am missing (as long commutes, rotating rosters etc just wont work for me).

My job interview was fine, but even if I get it I doubt I'll take it. I didn't get a good feel for it and tbh it wasn't my cup of tea at all. Seeing as I still have almost 3 months of employment, I have no intention of taking a job I dont feel good about. If I get desperate in 6 months time I would look at things differently. However I just found a great opportunity on seek that is 5 mins from home and 2 mins from DSs school. Could be perfect. Would be a significant paycut but would fit all my work/life balance / family requirements which outweigh the money significantly. Going to knock up a bang on rock your socks off application and get myself an interview!!

Work is just weird now. I have inherited some team members from another Leader who has left (one of my best mates) so just adjusting there. We are down to a third of our workforce as the redundancies roll out. Some days I have very little work to do and the days just drag. However, it gives me plenty of time to apply for jobs etc. I've been very up and down. When people close to me leave I fall in a bit of a hole, it's so depressing and deflating.

Surely things need to take a positive turn soon?

[nyigi]

Sounds like a great opportunity MN. Best of luck with that application!

[~TT40~]

Hi girls, thankyou. I did have a win last week, that workforce manager dude I emailed emailed me back saying yea he does deal with hr issues in my area, so I told him my situation and he said the lwop shouldn't make a difference because I was still employed and doing paid working hours despite them, so I still have 40 completed weeks of service. I passed this onto the acting manager, and she said good, now all I need is a letter from my dr confirming my due date and to meet with the big big boss to approve and discuss dates. I have the dr appointment this morning. And hope to meet with the boss this week. So I should get mat leave from 38 weeks, now it's just a matter of if I can take 2 weeks annual leave before that so I only have to work until 36 weeks, FX!!

I'll keep you updated and I'll come in for more personals later, but right no I have to coax a toddler to get dressed so we can go!

[wysiwyg]

Wysiwyg great minds, I just enrolled in TAE with ABA. $190 - win. The course I was looking at was a full Diploma I think. So I decided to start with the TAE which is a cert IV and will be able to credit across if I decide to do the full HR diploma. The TAE should get me going - I love training with the ABA so I'm already excited about that.

If you ever need a volunteer to be one of your learners as part of the TAE - I am happy to oblige.

[wysiwyg]

How is everyone?

New role not really working out :-( seems to be the same as last one, keep me away from everywhere I can be useful and no one really wants to involve me in anything. Not sure quite what to do - wait a few more weeks and see if gets better - I always think you have to give somewhere 6 weeks and I am only three weeks in.