As I write this I am buried deep in wrapping paper and presents itching to be concealed for Christmas day is a blink away…
In the last year I have raised a little baby boy to the grand old age of 1 and as such am reflecting on what I have learnt.
I am writing this (hopefully helpful) hack list for the amazing mummies out there who are juggling their work and their mummy duties day in day out. I have been back to work (I am founder of Storyteller Marketing based in Harrogate, North Yorkshire) for about 5 months and what a five months they have been… Moments of “What am I doing? I am missing my baby’s precious first moments” to “I love having my identity back!”
Here goes…
- All hail the front door
Keep the little one’s coat and shoes next to yours by the door ready for a swift and easy exit
2. Breakfast in bowl
Pour the porridge or place the Weetabix in the bowl the night before so all you need do is add milk/ water. No more listening to your little one crying while you try and make yourself a cuppa while making their brekky.
3. Twinning
I put my clothes out the night before with my little ones then we can get dressed together and there’s no mad panic, outfits at the ready!
4. Nap Naps
Keep a pack of nappies in the car glove pocket, and wet wipes while we’re at it! There’s always an incident where these will come in handy…
5. Meeting Avec Bebe?
Take a banana, take a book, take a toy they haven’t seen in a while – this is a real game changer.
6. Sing a Song
OK, so I know I can sing reasonably well. Although I did fail twice at XFactor, but Jack loves me singing to him. If I am at my desk and need to get work done but he needs attention too, I sit down with him looking into his eyes and sing to him. That quality time helps buy me a bit more time to finish my work off before going back to him to play catch around the pine kitchen table – a game he loves!
7. If all else fails… give the baby your car keys!
I don’t know what it is about them, the noise they make or perhaps the texture? But they are a winner for buying around 10 minutes of time with your little one!
Whatever you do to manage being a working mummy, it is the best you can do so stop judging yourself and get rid of that mummy guilt – that’s my new year’s resolution…