Today is the 20th post in my 30-day blogging challenge. Between you, me and the entire internet, I didn’t think I’d get this far. I have now posted more blog posts in the past 20 days than I did throughout the entire year 2014.Last year was a slow blogging year for me. Two major work contracts, a new house and a healthy dose of self-doubt kept me away from my keyboard.The past 20 days have been a … [Read more...]
Small rant, big thankyou
One of the hardest things I have done as a parent so far, was handing my baby over to a virtual stranger so I could return to work. The explosion of emotions I felt as I walked away from that childcare centre more than five years ago was almost unbearable. Sadness at the thought of being away from my child for longer days than either of us were used to. Fear that the person now caring for my … [Read more...]
Funny that…
With my current work contract about to end, I have my feelers out for my next gig. A short while ago I came across a job that ticked all the boxes. In fact, it was pretty much a carbon copy of my last inhouse position. Feeling confident, I crafted my cover letter, dusted off my CV, and applied. About a week later my phone rang. It was the recruiter. He was ringing to tell me I had an … [Read more...]
Working nine to three…
I have an idea. How about we get more parents back in the workforce? You know, so we can do things like allow primary carers (who are often mothers) to maintain their professional worth. Help struggling families generate a higher income. Address the gender imbalance in organisations. Heck, maybe even stimulate the economy! All that good stuff that we often bite our nails and rock back and … [Read more...]
I am not supermum
Someone asked me the other day if being a working mum makes me a better mum.“Oh, yes!” I replied. “It’s important for me to work. It’s part of who I am and working makes me happy. So that makes me a better mum.”I was lying. Dishing out the sugar candied response I’m ‘supposed’ to.The truth is being a working mum does not make me a better mum. In fact, I constantly worry if I’m doing the right … [Read more...]
International Women’s Day
Today I will be speaking at a special employee event for International Women's Day at a large corporation in Sydney. This company is very serious about doing all it can to support and foster an inclusive internal culture for those balancing careers and parenthood. And serious they must be. When I sent them my speech in advance to check it wasn't too 'controversial' they simply replied: "we have … [Read more...]
Dumb mum
I am a mother; therefore I must be dumb. Well, that’s what everyone keeps trying to tell me, right?I got my first hint when I returned to work after becoming a mother.“Don’t call yourself a ‘working mum’. They won’t take you seriously. You have to be professional at work and calling yourself a ‘working mum’ isn’t very professional,” was the advice given to me by a senior female executive.Followed … [Read more...]
Other things on my mind…
The last of the delegates filed out of the auditorium as my team gathered together with senior figures from the company to pat each other on the back. We had just pulled-off a very successful event where more than 100 business leaders came together for a type of conference ‘think-tank’. Expectations were always high for this gig and thankfully this one had been a resounding success, aided greatly … [Read more...]
Projecting motherhood
“Why would a woman put a picture of her child’s face – instead of her own – as her profile picture on Facebook?’ That was the question posed a few weeks ago by Katie Roiphe in her article “Disappearing mothers” in the Financial Times, when she put forward her concern that women forgo their own identity when they upload pictures of their children as their Facebook profile.Look, I get where she is … [Read more...]
Incompatible lovers: big business and parenting
Something I wrote a while back, but feel compelled to share today… “What can we do to encourage more mothers back into the workforce?” was the question posted on the company’s employee online chat forum, in reaction to our nation’s looming skills shortage.The usual well-meaning responses followed: flexible hours; adjustable pay depending on hours worked; fostering a supportive internal perception … [Read more...]