Work, Life, Home, Kids...
Whilst I have been off work I have been home to see my girls when they come home from school.
I have heard about their days, I know what homework they have and when they need to do it by.
I have cooked dinners, healthy family dinners with secret vegetables smuggled inside sauces.
I have got to know my children better, and realised that they are growing up into fine young ladies. They have their own views and thoughts on all sorts of things.
Normally, I only get this experience on Mondays as I work a condensed week, so for the rest of the week I work really long days and usually only see them just before bedtime when we are all tired and fractious.
They say everything happens for a reason. Falling downstairs and breaking my ankle has meant I have had loads of time at home.
I have experienced what it is like to be a stay at home Mum. It's been lovely.
I have had time to research the best organic & local ways to food shop on the internet. I have subscribed to have fresh flowers delivered once a month (from Bloom & Wild). I have bought a slow cooker & and a water filter.
Sadly, I could not afford to be a stay at home Mum and do any of the things in the paragraph above. And there's the rub.
I like nice things and I am not brilliant at budgeting, I like my children to have nice things (without spoiling them, obvs), I want to ensure they can go on school trips and I can take them on outings and holidays (when I am more mobile). I want them to eat healthily and encourage them to understand why I prefer to buy organic and local foods. Similarly why we recycle.
In order to achieve this and to lead a relatively comfortable financial life both my husband and I choose to work.
This experience has made me think. If I didn't work would I be a better Mum.
Could I be more of a presence in my girls life?
I asked my girls what they thought.
Lola said "I think working, cos' you get more money, but I liked you being off and around for dinner".
Heather said "I think working because you enjoy it and you are with your friends. You can get more promotions and then maybe get more money and work less and be around more. I would like you to finish earlier".
So, the verdict, they are quite happy with me working but they want me home for dinner. Food for thought. Oh and I need to get more promotions and work less...Blimey!
And they are right I do enjoy it.
The eternal work life balance remains unattainable, but I think I am close.
I have heard about their days, I know what homework they have and when they need to do it by.
I have cooked dinners, healthy family dinners with secret vegetables smuggled inside sauces.
I have got to know my children better, and realised that they are growing up into fine young ladies. They have their own views and thoughts on all sorts of things.
Normally, I only get this experience on Mondays as I work a condensed week, so for the rest of the week I work really long days and usually only see them just before bedtime when we are all tired and fractious.
They say everything happens for a reason. Falling downstairs and breaking my ankle has meant I have had loads of time at home.
I have experienced what it is like to be a stay at home Mum. It's been lovely.
I have had time to research the best organic & local ways to food shop on the internet. I have subscribed to have fresh flowers delivered once a month (from Bloom & Wild). I have bought a slow cooker & and a water filter.
Sadly, I could not afford to be a stay at home Mum and do any of the things in the paragraph above. And there's the rub.
I like nice things and I am not brilliant at budgeting, I like my children to have nice things (without spoiling them, obvs), I want to ensure they can go on school trips and I can take them on outings and holidays (when I am more mobile). I want them to eat healthily and encourage them to understand why I prefer to buy organic and local foods. Similarly why we recycle.
In order to achieve this and to lead a relatively comfortable financial life both my husband and I choose to work.
Could I be more of a presence in my girls life?
I asked my girls what they thought.
Lola said "I think working, cos' you get more money, but I liked you being off and around for dinner".
Heather said "I think working because you enjoy it and you are with your friends. You can get more promotions and then maybe get more money and work less and be around more. I would like you to finish earlier".
So, the verdict, they are quite happy with me working but they want me home for dinner. Food for thought. Oh and I need to get more promotions and work less...Blimey!
And they are right I do enjoy it.
The eternal work life balance remains unattainable, but I think I am close.
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