Rzrrrrrrrrrrraaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa… sorry, that was my attempt at copying the mosquito whine of our postman’s motorbike. Doesn’t really sound like that, does it?
Today I’ve delivered a post over at Planning with Kids. Nicole asked me to share some tips for working mothers, but I’ve already been there with regretfully bitchy results, so instead I thought I’d share what a typical school week looks like for my kids.
As much as I try to put the balls down, fact is, life would be a lot (a lot) simpler if I was a stay at home mum. I’d drop the kids at school in the morning with The Badoo in tow, and I’d pick them up in the afternoon. Done.
Read my post at Nic’s to see what actually happens at my place.
I do try to combine the two as artfully as possible, but working and mumming together, at the same time, simultaneously can be awfully hard. I confess (and this is very hard to admit) that when WMG (Working Mother Guilt – a preoccupation of mine) kicks in, I secretly agree with the judgey judgers and think to myself: ‘who’s really raising your children?’. Ouch.
Own worst enemy indeed.
[Image from here]
therhythmmethod says
Fantastic post. Even though you describe how you do it, I still don’t know how you do it. You’re one organised, determined and brave lady. x
April says
You know what? I am glad you wrote that post, as I am already starting to think about how things will work when I go back to work in 8 months time. And it is only going to get more complicated once my daughter gets older.
So thanks 🙂
Posie Patchwork says
Really bitchy, honestly, when will we all just realise we’re all in different situations. Now i have the back post to read & the new one. Lucky i lead the life of the luxury housewife with 4 children in school so i can while my day away on the blog!! Oh that’s right, i have business to attend too. It’s all a balance, how we spend our time, divid it up between work & children, right now, i’m loving where i’m at, barely working at all, just mothering. Love Posie
Sammy says
So grateful for your post, I could lie down and cry! It made me feel normal, thank you so much.
My two are small, one still at home with a nanny and the other at pre-school and I still feel like I have 13,000 balls in the air. And most of them on a collision course with my head….
deux chiens et un garcon says
Bron I could not keep up with you.
I’m glad no one asks me how I do it, Because I don’t. I just get by.
Also I don’t think labels are a good thing.
xxx
InkPaperPen says
Perfect post for me. I’m about to return to work. November. Part time. I’m excited but a little scared. I’ll need help like this. Wow.
x
Maxabella says
It takes a village… And I did read via those Donut people that contact with other loving adults builds a child’s resilience like nothing else… so maybe… x
Simone - honeyandfizz says
Wow Bron, just felt exhausted reading about your week! I think everyone has to juggle and find what works for them and their family xx
Sarah@thatspaceinbetween says
Thank you for writing this…so so timely as I ventured back into the world of work today after 14 months off with my baby. Two feisty stepdaughters, a cheeky almost six year old and my 12 month old all out the door by 732am…two back to their mum, one to OOSH and one to my mums and then sitting down at my desk with a coffee in hand by 830 – only to be met by women asking why I came back to work ‘wouldn’t you have rathered stay at home’…it got me thinking would this line have been used on a man…I can juggle well, Im hoping to manage 2 days at work, still completing my masters with view to a phd…its comments like these that make me stop and thinking ‘am I doing the wrong thing’…thankyou for proving that it is possible to juggle and be happy and that its just life (and that I should tell people to get over themselves)…thanks!!
Mammamusing says
Own worst enemy indeed!
What a great post 🙂
Jane says
Hats off to you, my friend. I was exhausted by the end of the first paragraph. Then again, if I *really* listed all the work involved in being a SAHM with 3 under 6, I would probably make myself feel ill as well. It’s all relative, isn’t it? J x
Rhonda says
I’ve been on both sides, work full time and school full time while mothering, and now I get to stay at home but still attend school full time. It’s a little easier since my son is 11 and he can handle most things on his own. But honestly I am more exhausted now. Possibly because the housekeeper no longer comes?
Kirsty@MyHomeTruths says
I’ve just celebrated my 7th anniversary being a working mother – I don’t think it gets any easier, unfortunately! I liken being a working mother to doing a jigsaw puzzle for a living – always trying to fit the pieces together so that nothing gets left out or left behind. So very glad I’m not the only one with a crazy life! Awesome post, Maxabella.
Seana Smith says
Oh jeezipeeps, I am glad to be a WAHM, I think I’d explode if I had to be somewhere with proper clothes on… my husband is often absent and when here isn’t around ever in the mornings, and with four, I’d never cope. But do love a bit of work…
Sometimes feel office envy, I must say, and proper clothes any… I do like to visit the workplaces of my hard-at-work mum pals. But whatever… got to be your own best friend… we all do… and judge not…
Kymmie says
I loved this post. And I did also think that your life is a little crazy. But then looking back at mine, it’s not too different. Just less nannies and gardeners.
I love my in-laws and never take them for granted. So glad to hear you take on the ‘village’ concept for raising your children. It’s the ONLY way. xx
Sandrine says
I enjoyed reading your day Bron you are doing such a grand job (all of you really!), such a struggle for a lot of us no matter what the situation is…The village really makes the difference I agree, I tried without it and got burned out…now I really miss other stuff …So hard!