Can I join the conversation please?
We started our own business this year. I am the jack of all trades in the business, with kind of no actual role description. The working and mumma roles seem to be at odds with each other, the children are required to be with me at work because there is no one else to care for them. Which makes the work part harder because the two roles get mixed up quite a lot, and it's hard to focus on one let alone both roles at the same time. Which makes job satisfaction hard because I know I can't give 100%.
I always knew this was going to be hard, but it's the emotional toll that I underestimated, dh and I only talk business or kids, the relationship is fading. Then the children are reaching out and playing up in order to get attention, which of course never ends well.
Good luck with the next part of the job application!!! Exciting!
Tt, I hear you. I may have to pull a shift over Easter but am resisting. It will be low activity and unless they can prove it is worth me
Coming in, it ain't happening! Won't e hard to convince my boss when he works out my pay rate!
I don't envy trying to juggle work with children there. It must be really really hard. I have no advice but I can listen.
I totally get enjoying having time at either end of the day with the kids. I leave for work at 0600. Dh does drop off. I get home anywhere between 1600 and 1800 hours. Just depends on how late I stay back and traffic. Every now and again I leave early and love being able to make it to school in time for the bell. I cherish my one day off where I can walk dd1 to and from school. It is heaven!
Big day tomorrow - last day of contract and I have a job interview at 8:00AM!!!
So much to get finished tomorrow, but didn't have many options with interview times - so what will be will be - am going to get an early night I think - I look exhausted - need to try reverse that for the morning :-)
I hope if I am successful they don't want me to start straight away, I am on holiday next week a couple of days just DH and I and then I was hoping to have a few weeks off at least, for the long list of jobs I have put off till after this contract. What will be will be I suppose.
Beansbeans - That sounds very stressful situation - I couldn't cope I don't deal well with feeling torn in two directions. I must say I have always thought running your own business and raising a family would be very hard, and have always been amazed at the amount of articles and adverts around aimed at mums saying 'get that work life balance' work for yourself. I am sure suits some people but for me I really need the separation. Is there anyway you could not have the kids with you at work for one day a week or something - you might find knowing you have that one time to focus on one thing really helps?
So it's kinda hard to get children free at the business because we are hospitality based. Most days I have random jobs like errand running, helping out with prep etc, we have dinner there almost every night before I take the children home for bath, homework and bed. But on Fridays and Saturdays, I help out with everything. The children have a safe place which has lounge room, playroom bedroom all combined, it's also next to where dh works. I would love to get them looked after on these nights but care isn't an option unfortunately. We have hired a full timer, and although that has reduced my workload a bit, I'm still needed to run it on those nights, after all I work for free, but so does dh at the moment.
So basically on those nights I work, I can check on the children whenever I need to, also they can go to dh if they need something (but like most kids they only ask him where I am). Some nights/days are better than others. Some times they play happily and are settled, other times they are not. Sounds great in theory, reality is sometimes a lot different. Nothing like having to stop at the busiest time of day to change a nappy, split up fighting siblings etc.
Beans I don't know how you do it. I hated my work from home days, I did the minimum required because it was hard with DD there, and fast too many times I had to take her to the office with me. Hope you can get something better sorted.
Thanks everyone. Interview went well I think - should hear next week - they were only interviewing one other person late today. I think even if don't get this one, they were interested in my CV for future reference as they took my number (they are not really meant to do that as all contact should be through the recruitment agency).
Last day of work was ok, am exhausted now though. I will miss some of the guys there, and got two good mini appreciation speeches - even one from the one person that is a big part of me leaving. The way the project is going it could still be going on in 6 months and if I get nothing else I will be desperate enough for anything to go back :-)
I have got a follow up interview on Tuesday morning! Mum and Dad still here till Tuesday night so they can watch the kids, so good timing. Had a great 2 days away with DH and got back and got phone call about interview next week - so all is good.
Re: Working Mummies Support Group #2
thrilled for you, wysiwyg!!
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