Working Mummies

(Photo courtesy of Pinterest)

Ok, I'm a pretty relaxed person. It takes a bit to get me riled up. But I read an article on another blog today that got my knickers in a twist. For reference sake, here is the link to it: http://www.mamamia.com.au/parenting/childcaredoesnt-anyone-look-after-their-kids-anymore/

My husband works full-time, I work part-time and I refuse to feel guilty about wanting to contribute financially to my family's needs!

It's always going to be an ongoing battle - the working Mums Vs the stay-at-home-Mums. *Sigh*

I was fortunate enough that for our first child's first year of life, I was able to stay at home with her and returned to work part-time following her first birthday. I absolutely cherish those months at home with her, I wouldn't change it for the world.

However, when along came my second and third children, my husband and I made the decision together that it would be beneficial for our whole family if I returned to work a little earlier.

I now have one child at school and two children in childcare. Just because my two youngest are in 15 hours of childcare per week does not make me less of a 'full-time Mummy', it simply means that I am also a part-time employee, contributing to our family.

And you know what? My little ones actually enjoy going to childcare! (Shock, horror?!) Our centre is a lovely, stimulating environment with beautiful, nurturing carers. Two years ago, my little man was a painfully shy little boy that was constantly wrapped around my leg and really didn't speak much. Today, he is a confident, witty, happy little fellow - childcare definitely has helped him take a step into the big wide world. (Two years ago I was terrified thinking I would never be able to send him to school!)

If anything, those 15 hours per week at childcare benefit my children. It's not just a place for me to 'drop and run'. They learn things in a different way to how they would learn in the home, it socially prepares them for kindergarten and school, and as for germs...well, you can catch gastro from a supermarket trolley anyway!

Being a working Mummy helps to keep me in the workforce too, so that when my children are all at school, I won't have been out of the 'loop' for so long, in search of work. And where's the problem in wanting to get ahead financially anyway? Is it suddenly considered bad taste to want less financial pressure? Or why is frowned upon to want to take a holiday with my family?

Working parents still have plenty of time to spend with their own children too - in fact whenever I'm not at work, that time is completely devoted to my children. I don't judge any Mummy or Daddy for choosing to be a stay-at-home-parent. Whatever works for your family is what is best for your family. And being a working Mummy is what works best for my family. There needs to be a balance of respect on both parts here.

And to the Daddy in the blog post above - blogs are for working Mummies too - and this working Mummy has just retaliated!

 - Mem x

Rise and shine

photo from peteralexander.com

Everyone has a morning routine or a 'habit' if you prefer. When you jump out of bed you usually go about your business the same way every day. Maybe a little different if you are on a day off but mostly the same.

I am one that slowly rolls out of bed, pop on my slippers, wrap myself up in my coral fleece dressing gown and head out to the kitchen. Of course then its time for some boring daily jobs. Empty the dishwasher, make breaky, clean bathrooms, make beds blah blah blah. I do all these jobs including sweep and mop the floors in my pjs and gown.

Sometimes I envy the other type of people that get up and jump straight in the shower and get dressed before doing anything else. But no matter how hard I try to convert, it just doesnt feel right.

Its time to accept that I am a Pj junky and happy to be one.

What sort of morning person are you???

Boo x

Meat pie and vegies anyone?????

Holidays over, life back to its normal, hectic pace and finally my cooking challenge finished! You might think I sound relieved? Well thats because I am. Never before have I craved just boring old normal meals. Like a meat pie and vegies, curried sausages or chicken tonight straight from a jar.

But I am pleased to say that for the 4 weeks that I was on leave, every evening meal that we ate in our house was fresh out of a cookbook, magazine or website and never before tasted by us. We had only one mishap but gladly that recipe was my husband's choice not mine. Lets just say that chocolate and beef are not a match made in heaven! Never agian will I attempt that combintaion.

Although glad to be done with my little challenge, I did enjoy indulging in gourmet meals most nights. Some of my favs include Donna Hay's 'Pulled Pork Sliders', Pete Evans 'Lamb and Mint Gozlemme' and Julie Goodwins 'Monterey Chicken'.  So now I'm back to cutting out more recipes to hide away in my pretty little folder. Master chef is inspiring me at the moment  though so I think they might not be hidden away for too long.

Happy mid week everyone

Boo x