I thought it was about time I dispelled some 'working from home' myths as it's something I'm been met with a lot especially since working from home more frequently over the past year.
For those of you who work from home, I'm sure you will understand where I'm coming from and for those of you who don't and see it as the easy option, please read on and I hope to change your minds.
I divide my working life pretty much equally between being based in the office and at home. It suits our childcare arrangements with Oliver and works for my organisation too. I am extremely lucky so please don't think I'm moaning about having this opportunity as I really enjoy and am grateful to do what I do. My objection is when I get comments like 'working from home doesn't count as work', 'you're just sitting with your feet up watching TV really' and 'you don't actually work though do you?'.
Well the answer is yes I do.
I have a desk set up at home exactly the same as I do in the office. The only difference is that I have one eye on the baby monitor when I'm at home and get made a lot less tea!
I've often been told it takes a certain type of person to be able to manage to work from home and I can absolutely tell you that it is not easy. You have to really switch off. That bit of washing you'd like to do or hoovering that needs doing may be staring you in the face but work is the priority.
Fortunately I'm pretty good at managing my time. So when Oliver goes to bed I make myself a cup of tea, settle down at my desk and get into work generally for 3-4 hours. I try not to have too many distractions, radio, TV, it's as much like the work environment as I can get.
I actually find working from home really productive and I would go so far as to say it's more productive, for me, than being in the office. No quick conversations about TOWIE or the latest news story!
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That said it doesn't come without it's challenges. When working from home during the day I find it particularly hard. Oliver wants my attention or the TV is on, there are lots more distractions and other things I could be doing. My husband, Simon is brilliant at making sure when I'm working he takes care of Oliver and distracts him. It's hard to explain to a toddler that Mummy is working and not to be disturbed but I hope the older he gets the more he will understand thing and appreciate that it means I actually get to spend more quality time with him as a result.
So for those with the preconception that working from home is the easy route, think again, at least it's not for those who actually work!
I'd love to hear your thoughts on working from home and how you manage it especially if you're a working parent too.
It has been over a year since I returned to full time work after having Oliver. I took six months of for maternity and boy did it fly by. I enjoyed every moment and as hard as it was leaving Oliver, I knew I was ready to return to work and get some of the 'old me' back.
I am the sort of person who can't do anything half-hearted and really do throw myself into whatever I put my mind too. And being a working mum is no exception. I'm really fortunate that I've worked with the same company for the past 12 years so they know I'm committed and have supported me in returning to work. A lot of my other 'mum friends' haven't been as fortunate.
The hardest part for me returning to work was the added pressure of Oliver having a heart condition (more on this when I can muster up the courage to write about it!) and I am not embarrassed to say this has made me quite an over protective mum.
I'm really fortunate that my husband and I share Oliver's childcare so we don't have to rely too much on family, nurseries or childminders and the transition of returning to work wasn't too different from our routines. I work the mornings and evenings so Oliver and I get afternoons together. This is great as I don't really feel like I'm missing out on too much. Luckily Oliver is pretty settled in his routine and he knows that mummy leaves first thing for work but will be back in a few hours. I put him to bed and start work again in the evening so he gets a morning with Daddy and an afternoon with Mummy.
It's inevitable there will be times when I want to commit a little more to work and feel like I'm letting Oliver down or vice versa which is a constant juggling act.
I've read a few 'mummy blogs' over the past few months, mainly to get some sanity. I started reading a blog by a lady called Ursula who runs Mumbelievable. She tells it like it is, she doesn't hold back at all and has had quite a journey as a mum to her little boy Xav. She shares those real experiences which is so reassuring.
Ursula and her colleague Donna recently launched an online programme called Returning to Work with Confidence.
Clearly I don't have enough on my plate already so I decided to join the programme and it is certainly time well spent. The programme is great for giving you that much needed boost. It's online, so once a week when Oliver goes to bed I put my feet up, have a cup of tea, or glass of wine, and watch the video. They're only short sessions, no longer than an hour, with really simple exercises which really just get you thinking. I'm only a few sessions in but the ladies have already helped me think about my perspective of myself as a mum and the internal pressure this brings. I've been thinking about choices and how I make decisions based on my work or my family. Something really important I've started to rediscover is how important time for 'me' really is. Even if it's just 10 minutes on my own or doing my nails, it's something I'm choosing to do for myself and it is so refreshing. Honestly I'm not on commission but if you're in a simialr position i would thoroughly recommend singing up for the programme, it's at such a minimal cost for the resources & support you receive. I'm keen to do the next session already!
The past year for me has really been finding my way and now I feel ready to not only be a mum but also to get some of my old self back.
Most people that work in an office will have the tradition of celebrating your birthday with your colleagues. You get the desk all done up with balloons, the collection goes around the office for your present & they all turn up at your desk singing Happy Birthday which is the most embarrassing thing ever (well until next year when it all happens again!), generally you also have to spend a fortune bringing in cakes for those who only put a pound in your collection but it's 'the done thing'!
I count myself very lucky, as whilst working for my company, I've had some really quite memorable birthday's over the years. My favourite was probably the year when I was the only person with the keys to the office so I had to help my colleagues put my own balloons up, in return they made me a crown & sash to crown me Queen for the day! I had surprises arriving all day long & we actually got a lot of creative work done too.
With my work birthday tomorrow, I'm looking forward to what lays in store for me, if anything! That could be awkward couldn't it. You turn up expecting balloons and a fun atmosphere & actually don't get anything!!
I'm sure my colleagues & friends, Gemma & Alex have it all under control.
One thing I know for sure we are doing is the customary lunchtime drinks which this year will be at our new favourite place, Prezzo! And with one opening up across the road from our office, it'd be rude not too!
