What keeps your plate full these days?
I work as a Delivery Consultant, recruiting IT Leadership roles in the UK.
Are your kids in school? Daycare? Who cares for them ?
She attends Daycare when I’m at work.
Do you work because you want to, need to, or some combination of both? What’s your honest answer to the question, “Why do you work?”
Personally, I would say this is a combination for me. I work because I need to provide for my daughter and build a legacy for her. I want to wok because I enjoy having a balance between family life and the professional world
What does your day to day look like?
I work a hybrid job which means we work from home and in office on certain days. A typical day starts off early getting the little one (and myself) ready for daycare and dropping her off by 7am. If I am working at the office that day, I would proceed to commute to the office for the day, commute back home by 5pm and pick her up on the way. If I am working from home I would come home, and get a gym session in before starting my day at 8am – 5pm. Quickly whip up diner for the family at 6pm, bath time immediately after to make bedtime at 8pm. I’m really guilty of logging back on to continue working after she’ asleep. Tidying up any loose ends for the day and doing a quick prep and plan for the next day.
How does being a working mom impact your kids — either positively or negatively?
I’m blessed to work for a company that values the balance between your work life and home life. On a positive note, we try and create a harmony between these roles as a working mom which I am grateful for. When I am in office, the commute does take away some of that “end of day” time which can be negative.
What holds the biggest tension in trying to manage everything?
Mom guilt holds a lot of tension for me. The daycare of my child is close to home but far from my office. This gives me anxiety and guilt for if anything does happen and I’m far away – that’s a constant worry for me. Secondly, when anything urgent/ unexpected is needed from me for work, I feel guilty to jump back online while my kid is around.
Planning is so essential for my day to flow smoothly and it helps that I have a small but reliable support structure if anything changes.
What’s one resource that would make your life easier?
We could always do with more flexibility in regards to working hours.
How would you encourage other working moms who are overwhelmed?
Planning is so essential. Remember to include breaks and self-care to balance your health and well being is just as important as caring for the needs of others.
Any last words for working moms?
What I can say, is that becoming a working mom has given me a new sense of motivation. I’m more driven than I ever have to provide the absolute best life possible for her future.
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