TheWorkingMum

How have all you working parents faired during lockdown?

I have been fortunate that my kids go to an amazing school that has provided an excellent online curriculum with a timetable similar to a normal school week but with Google Meet teaching instead of face to face.

I know others less fortunate who have had little support from their school and had to organise everything pretty much themselves with very limited teacher contact.

That said it has still been hard work for me to separate work and home so the last 12+ weeks have felt a little like groundhog day, but at least I have work and for that I am very grateful.

How have you been coping, any top tips to share?

How to make long commutes by car more effective?

A shout of for ideas, suggestions, recommendations please.

I currently have a reasonably long drive to my latest client - an average 3 hours of driving each day sometimes longer. My biggest challenge with this is that it really feels like wasted time - I can't catch the train (2.5 hours each way with several changes) so catching up on emails is out.

I need a solution that works with driving whilst staying alert and safe.

The Spanish I learnt at school is very rusty so one option is to buy a good audio course. I'm also thinking about writing some courses and books and seem to spend alot of time mulling through ideas but don't actually capture any of these because I'm driving. There also must be some other great things I can do other than get a sore throat from all the singing along with the radio.

Any suggestions no matter how random welcome.

Thanks
xx

BUSINESS: write an ACHIEVABLE mini to do list for each day and stick to it (today's is done and first 2 items already ticked off yay).

PERSONAL: Restart health plan after half term overeating .. healthy honemade chicken chow mein already prepped for tonight's dinner.

What are your plans for the week.

Life is all about choice but too often i have felt judged by other mums (whether intentional or not) for choosing to maintain a career. This picture i saw today is a good reminder to myself on why for me this was the right decision. It also has had a positive impact on my mental health.

There are many great reasons to be a stay at home mum. Whichever route you take remind yourself why you have chosen it, number 8 is the most important benefit of both and ultimately will help to make you a good mum.

Have fun today whatever you are doing x

International Women's Day INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY www.internationalwomensday.com

Thank goodness for hubbies and friends on Sunday mornings when I get some me time to go for a run and hit the gym

A familiar feeling :)

That moment after a tough day at work...

Good morning friends everywhere :)

Hmmmmm......familiar!

Especially working mums........

www.adweek.com

Are you concerned about what others in particular men are paid in comparison to you or are you happy with the package you accepted when you took the job regardless of what others are paid? This is a funny video whatever you think.........

https://youtu.be/bm3YfMtgEdI

One Woman Discovers The Wage Gap “Do the job you're paid to do.” Check out more awesome BuzzFeedYellow videos! http://bit.ly/YTbuzzfeedyellow MUSIC Groovy Mood Licensed via Warner Chappell P...

My thought for the day after a difficult few weeks ... lots of thoughts recently about moving on from my current role but perhaps i need to spend some time reflecting on why i've stayed longer than i originally intended.

One to watch, especially those of you with daughters or who work in IT.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b05p9tvt/the-richard-dimbleby-lecture-30032015

To Do Lists - How dedicated are you?

Every now and again I find you can lose your way at work, bogged down by trying to keep on top of a never ending stream of actions. I took a deep breath this week and took some "time out" to catch up on some long overdue electronic house keeping and reminded myself of the importance of writing a to do list everyone morning to focus the mind. Something I had been not finding the time to do for the last few weeks.

Whether it be at home with the kids or at work, To Do lists always work for me....don't they for most women? Although my husband is the first person to point out that I always have completely unrealistic expectations of how much I can actually tick off in one day! I do like to remind him that I am Superwoman :)

I'm not sure however I will be following in the footsteps of this To do list fan who has had a To Do list blank form tattooed to her arm!

File:My to do list is healed and in use! (4668030838).jpg - Wikimedia Commons Tattooed by the awesome and wonderful Lelia at The Needle's Kiss in Townsville (http://tnkstudio.com.au/townsville-tattoos.html) on 18/5/2010 as an anniversary gift from Rob (because I'd been talking about having it done for 2 years).

Saw this link today by The Unmumsy Mum and it really resonated with me... I think I would feel very similar to this if I didn't go out to work ...I empathise in particular with the wake up call of "I've got wet pjs" as I've been having a daily bed/mattress stripping/washing routine this week before heading for work ... blooming leaky nappies - no buying from Aldi again - gold mums award or no gold mums award - they are rubbish!

http://theunmumsymum.blogspot.co.uk/2015/02/lesson-45-your-day-vs-his-day-why.html?m=1

The Unmumsy Mum's Guide to Motherhood: Lesson 45: Your Day vs His Day - Why Nobody Is Winning Owner of two small boys. Lover of tea. Not a fan of maternity leave. Or mushrooms. Probably too honest and really rather sweary...

The sky is blue, the sun is shining ... have a good one everyone.

My personal thought for the day .... so true

Good on Stacey Bendet getting up at 04:45 ... I'm not sure I would still be functioning at the end of the day if I got up that early though, but it's made me think about how I need to work on my morning routine a little to make it more effective.

The Morning Routines of 12 Women Leaders Each of these 12 extraordinary women view their daily routines in small increments to keep them on track and thriving. Whether it's the designer, the doctor, the CFO or the media mogul, their morning rituals are a vital ingredient in their secret sauce.

Never make time for lunch ... what better excuse....

Would your executives benefit from a "Lunch & Learn" session on Organisational Excellence?

Message us to learn how to qualify for a no obligation L&L session at your company

I really struggle with number 5) Energy, I've usually run out by the time I've got the kids to bed and made dinner ... anyone have any top tips?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/womens-business/11369674/Career-advice-Successful-women-have-6-personality-traits.-Do-you.html

High-achieving women have these 6 personality traits. Do you? According to a new study, women business leaders share many of the same characteristics, including a healthy resiliance to anxiety. Josephine Fairley agrees and offers her relaxation tips to ensure you're not too stressed for success

An interesting article - one that i can really empathise with both having been a business owner employing staff and also an employee trying to maintain my career alongside having a family.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/women/mother-tongue/10713934/Cherie-Blair-part-time-row-Working-mums-have-to-be-better-than-childless-candidates.html

'The reality is working mums have to be better than childless candidates' As Cherie Blair is attacked for sacking a part-time mother, Beverley Turner argues that in reality, working mums have to be as good as – in some places, sadly better than – those without children