Hi Neve, tell us about you. What do you do, how old are your children and what happens with your kids when you are at work?
I’m an online marketer/entrepreneur. Kids are 6.5, 3 and newborn. When at work they are in a mixture of school, daycare, and at home (me and my husband run the online business together and can take turns looking after them at).
1. One word to describe how being a WoMo makes you feel?
Real
2. What’s the funniest experience you have had juggling kids and work?
Seeing my three year old making himself a mobile, laptop and mouse using cardboard and then impersonating me on his new ‘phone’ - do I really sound and look like that! Lol.
3. What is the one piece of advice you could offer another WoMo?
Read Tim Ferris’ ‘4 Hour Work Week’.... WHAT you do is infinitely more important than HOW you do it. You’ve got to stop doing the minutiae and get militant about focusing on just the stuff that moves the needle.
4. What’s the least amount of sleep you’ve gone to work on and how did you cope?
None. Terribly.
5. What have you learned about yourself as a WoMo?
That to be happy I have to let things go. And for me that ain’t easy.
6. If you had a working mother’s anthem or mantra, what would it be?
80/20 … only work on what’s essential... the kids deserve my time more than X, Y, Z minutiae.
7. What is your guilty pleasure to combat WoMo guilt the best?
Hmmm… not sure I have one. Maybe I’m missing something! ;-)
8. Would you rather be dealing with a tantrum or presenting in a board meeting?
Board meeting… but dealing with a tantrum is more rewarding.
9. If you asked your children what your job is, what would they say?
“Computer ... look at toys.”
10. What’s the one thing you wish you’d known before you became a WoMo?
That switching out of work headspace into family headspace can be a real struggle, and so practise mindfulness daily. That way, we can be present with your kids when we are with them.
11. To date, what has been your best WoMo achievement?
Quitting employment and starting my own business.
12. What do you want to teach your kids about working mothers?
That they can be present, available, and interested. Just that they are good mothers.
Neve is Founder and Director of wetheparents.org