Elska K is the winner of our competition for children to draw their mums at work. Here her mum Laura talks about the positives of being a mum.
Back in the summer – remember that? – workingmums.co.uk held a competition for kids to draw what they think their mum does all day long in their job. The entries were revealing. Our winner was six-year-old Elska Kenmorg. Mum Laura says: “I manage our local branch of the RSPCA. Unlike my daughter’s drawing, I am not actually surrounded by cute fluffy animals all day (although I wish I was), but we do foster rescue cats and small animals at our home which she helps me with, so I suppose she’s not too far off!” We asked Laura about her experiences as a working mum.
workingmums.co.uk: What is the best thing about being a mum?
Laura: Seeing my children happy.
WMs: What are the main qualities you have developed or enhanced as a mum?
Laura: Multitasking and confidence.
WMs: Do you think you are better at doing your job since having children?
Laura: Definitely! I’ve been able to improve my work/life balance by setting limits for myself since returning from my second maternity leave.
WMs: Is parenting harder than you anticipated?
Laura: Not really, I never thought it would be easy and my youngest has not been the easiest, but life is too short to worry about things too much.
WMs: Do you expect too much of yourself?
Laura: I don’t think I do. We can only do so much.
WMs: What are you most proud of as a mum?
Laura: It was really important to me that my children showed compassion to animals. They have both grown up to be very kind and gentle to animals. This makes me extremely proud.
WMs: Do you see your friends less since becoming a mum?
Laura: Yes and no. I see some old friends a bit less than before, but we’re all very busy and live further away from each other. I’ve made a lot of new friends along the way.