I have always been a working mum. I never, in fact, considered otherwise. I knew from the start of my pregnancy (in 2002) that I would go back to work both because the income was required, but also because I enjoyed my job. Some mothers would disagree that this is a good reason to remain a working mum, but I think a happy mum is better for children than a bored or lonely one – and the benefits to my daughter going to nursery have been huge. She is a true social butterfly and it has always been her only real opportunity to play with other children as she has no siblings and our network of friends is (mostly) childless.
However, after almost 4 years as a working mum, commuting from Bedfordshire to London 3 days a week and working from home one day a week, I made a truly agonising decision to leave my job. The reasons were many and varied, but one overriding one was increasingly feeling the desire to nurture my family more; to not be stressed, tired and moody for the precious few hours I had with them every evening and with the added challenge of juggling school hours looming in September I decided it was now or never!
I was in my previous job for 9 happy years, and had a very good and understanding employer who supported my requirements for flexible working conditions. My CEO allowed me to become part time when I returned from maternity leave, and also allowed me to work one day at home which was fantastic and worked for a long time. It has been a real wrench to give up that flexibility - especially as I had always believed that it was impossible to find good quality part-time, home based or flexible jobs for mums like us. How wrong I am - as www.WorkingMums.co.uk shows!
I think in the last 5 years many more employers are realising that without offering flexible working conditions for parents, they are missing out on a skilled, quality, experienced and dedicated workforce. I think that mums who work part time are generally hard workers, focused in the time they have to doing the best possible job.
It was with great trepidation that I did hand in my notice, as I was not sure how I would get on. But I am happy to say that it is a few months and emails later, and I now have some freelance marketing work with former contacts, including WorkingMums.co.uk. I am really delighted to be working with the team here, as I really believe in the purpose of the site – plus it has so far been a real joy to be able to pick up my daughter from nursery, and cook dear hubby a meal once in a while too!
I look to a future when all working mums can achieve the work-life balance which is right for them and feel fulfilled both as full time mums AND essential members of the workforce.
Good luck all!
Post this entry to:
del.icio.us
|
Digg
|
Newsvine
|
Reddit
I have a similar situation, whereby I freelance from home, or in an office, but can pick and choose how many hours I work a week, thereby enabling me to have a much happier work/life balance. I know my daughter appreciates me being around to pick her up from school occasionally, but I also need to work for my sanity and self-esteem, as well as the obvious monetary reasons!
Best of luck with the freelancing!
Kirsti Gardner | Report this comment