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| 5 months pregnant in Sydney |
You see I set my marketing freelance service up when Belle was 10 weeks old. After that short time I knew I didn't want to go back to work full time but knew I needed to work. We fell pregnant whilst living in Australia so I had to leave my job there as a Marketing and Sponsorship Executive and wasn't entitled to maternity pay from the Government when we got home as we had been out of the country too long (don't get me started, I'll tell you about that another time) So... www.themarketingbean.co.uk was born and I have been taking on freelance work from home ever since.
But how do you juggle work and baby...? Be organised! Be upfront! and ask for help when you need it!
Whilst being interviewed today I realised what a great position I am in. I'm upfront with my clients, they know I have Belle full time and that she comes first. Therefore I get the best of both worlds, the ability to organise my week around Sure Start classes and play dates whilst still actively using my business skills and contributing to the household, UK economy and wedding dress fund (Vera Wang in my dreams!)
I am lucky and if I have meetings to go to, or days I need to be at events both Belle's nannies can help out, or James will schedule time off when he can. But, for the majority, I work around Belle so I can enjoy her and we can spend time together.
Setting up your own business may sound scary and doing so with a 10 week old baby may sound pure crazy but I am so glad that I did and would encourage any new mum to do the same. Being your own boss is a great way to ensure you spend as much time as you want with your little one. It works for me, and maybe it can work for you too!
I don't think working mums get enough good press. People shouldn't make us feel guilty that we are not with our children 24/7. Children acquire great social skills whilst attending nurseries and day cares and flourish by having a happy and contented working mummy. So here's to us!
I would love to hear your working mum stories. Do you work full time? Do you feel guilty about being a working mum?
Watch this space for a sneak peak of the film I was featured in today.
