News — work-life balance

My Autumn Reset

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My Autumn Reset

I don't know about you, but September always feels like a perfect time to 'reset'.  This year, more than ever, by the end of the school year, my head was so foggy. Our routines were non-existent, as was our family's focus on nutrition, the environment and making sure screen time was limited. Summer Holidays I took the whole Summer 'off'.  I mean, being a mum and running your own business, you're never really off, are you? But... I didn't drive the business in the way that I can; I didn't worry about posting regularly on social media; and I just...

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#tbt One from the Archive: i’m leaning in – to work, and motherhood

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#tbt One from the Archive: i’m leaning in – to work, and motherhood

(First published on The Contented Calf website on Monday 17th June 2013. My youngest was approaching 15 months and 3YO was soon becoming a 4YO and heading to primary school. And so I was starting to think more about work again.) It’s funny how in life sometimes things come together at the same time isn’t it? For me this has come in the form of reading Sheryl Sandberg’s excellent book, Lean In, and attending the first ever Mumsnet Workfest this weekend. Although I’d heard her name, I first took more notice of Sheryl Sandberg when I heard her on Woman’s Hour...

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#tbt One from the Archive: The Childcare Conundrum

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#tbt One from the Archive: The Childcare Conundrum

(First published on The Contented Calf Website on Wednesday 12th June 2013. 3YO was approaching 4YO and I was wondering how childcare was going to work....)  Look up ‘conundrum’ and this is one of the definitions you get. co·nun·drum /k??n?ndr?m/ Noun  1. A confusing and difficult problem or question.2. A question asked for amusement, typically one with a pun in its answer; a riddle. Synonyms riddle – puzzle – enigma – mystery Photo by Hannah Olinger on Unsplash It also conjures up images of that clock ticking away for 30 seconds on Countdown. And whilst I maybe being am being over-dramatic, this is...

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#tbt One from the Archive: Will Work Have To Wait?

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#tbt One from the Archive: Will Work Have To Wait?

(First published on The Contented Calf Website on Wednesday 20th February 2013.)  It’s lunch-time on Wednesday afternoon and I’m frantically typing away as 3YO lies upstairs (sleeping?) in bed due to an enforced post-lunch nap. She’s off nursery. Again. On Monday she projectile vommitted, then was absolutely fine. However, nursery policy and common sense that she could still be contagious with whatever bug caused it, meant that Tuesday was a no-go as far as nursery was concerned. (At least 10MO was well enough for Contented Hubby to take – and collect, thank-you!! – her to nursery for the day, spending much of it...

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#tbt One from the Archive: “And What’s Your Occupation?”

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#tbt One from the Archive: “And What’s Your Occupation?”

(First published on The Contented Calf Website on Wednesday 13th January 2013.)    I’ve noticed recently that I’ve had to answer this question a fair amount recently – various registration forms for either of my girls, a market researcher I spoke to yesterday at the station and notably when Contented Hubby registered 9MO’s birth. He decided for me that if I’d written a book I was an Author, so that’s what I am on 9MO’s birth certificate!! Pre the birth of 3YO, it was easy I was a ‘Marketing Communications Manager’. Simple.  Straight-forward. Now, I tend just to go for...

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