Hello Jen, tell us a bit about yourself. What do you do, and who looks after your children when you are working?
I run my own business working from home called Mads & Moodle, I offer a baby and family life casting services, creating special unique keepsakes. I have two children 7 and 4, so working and childcare is a bit of a juggle. My youngest starts school this September though, so I hope to have a more regular timetable of childcare to plan my working day around. I often work weekends whilst my husband has the kids, I do like having a career that I am able to fit around my children and family life rather than a typical 9 to 5.
1. ONE WORD TO DESCRIBE HOW BEING A WOMO MAKES YOU FEEL?
Liberated.
2. WHAT’S THE FUNNIEST EXPERIENCE YOU HAVE HAD JUGGLING KIDS AND WORK?
It’s always hard juggling answering the phone to clients whilst I have the kids but sometimes I just have to try and do both. On one particular occasion I was speaking to a client on the phone and my youngest shouts “I need a poo” and not just the once he repeated this mantra multiple times until I had to politely extract myself from the phone and say I would call them back. Thankfully most of my clients have children so they are used to all the issues parenthood brings and are quite understanding.
3. WHAT IS THE ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU COULD OFFER ANOTHER WOMO?
You really can’t do it all, sometimes you just have to let something slide. Although being a perfectionist myself this is much easier said than done!
4. WHAT’S THE LEAST AMOUNT OF SLEEP YOU’VE GONE TO WORK ON AND HOW DID YOU COPE?
Very little, I started back to work quite early after my 2nd child was born so some days were a blur of sugary snacks and coffee to get me through.
5. WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED ABOUT YOURSELF AS A WOMO?
I’ve learnt that I can still strive to achieve and be ambitious in my career even though I have become a mum. I have also learnt that I need to continue working and being creative alongside motherhood as its one of the things that helps keep me sane.
6. IF YOU HAD A WORKING MOTHER’S ANTHEM OR MANTRA, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Just keep moving forward.
7. WHAT IS YOUR GUILTY PLEASURE TO COMBAT WOMO GUILT THE BEST?
Good coffee, I can’t manage without my mid morning cup it sets me up for the day ahead.
8. WOULD YOU RATHER BE DEALING WITH A TANTRUM OR PRESENTING IN A BOARD MEETING?
Probably dealing with a tantrum, doing presentations is definitely not my thing. Although ask me this again next time my 4 year old is screaming at the top of his voice at me.
9. IF YOU ASKED YOUR CHILDREN WHAT YOUR JOB IS, WHAT WOULD THEY SAY?
Feet - 4 yr old
Cast hands and feet - 7 yr old
10. WHAT’S THE ONE THING YOU WISH YOU’D KNOWN BEFORE YOU BECAME A WOMO?
How little time you actually get for yourself, I find almost every spare moment I do get I spend working on my business or thinking about it.
11. TO DATE, WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BEST WOMO ACHIEVEMENT?
I am extremely proud of the business I have created and all I have achieved. Running your own business has definitely been a learning curve over the last 7 years. I feel most proud when I receive good reviews back from my clients. It is so heart warming and rewarding to hear how emotive my creations are for the families I work for.
12. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO TEACH YOUR KIDS ABOUT WORKING MOTHERS?
I would like my children to be able to see that mothers can work and have passions and aspirations but also be present and around for their children when they are needed.
IG madsandmoodle