Hello Laura, tell us a bit about yourself.
I’m Laura, 38 and work full time as a Social Media Executive for Beauty Works. I have two boys aged 2 & 6 and our childcare arrangement is a combination of Nursery/childminder/school/grandparents!
1. ONE WORD TO DESCRIBE HOW BEING A WOMO MAKES YOU FEEL?
Stressed!
2. WHAT’S THE FUNNIEST EXPERIENCE YOU HAVE HAD JUGGLING KIDS AND WORK?
Let the kids borrow my work phone to watch YouTube and later found a load of photos they’d taken of their bums and willys!
3. WHAT IS THE ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU COULD OFFER ANOTHER WOMO?
Have more than one childcare setting so that if one lets you down you can rely on the other
4. WHAT’S THE LEAST AMOUNT OF SLEEP YOU’VE GONE TO WORK ON AND HOW DID YOU COPE?
Back in my clubbing days I used to regularly go to work on 2 hours sleep so this is not a huge issue, at least these days I don’t turn up drunk!
5. WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED ABOUT YOURSELF AS A WOMO?
If you believe in yourself you can still have a career.
6. IF YOU HAD A WORKING MOTHER’S ANTHEM OR MANTRA, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Destiny’s Child Independent Woman!
7. WHAT IS YOUR GUILTY PLEASURE TO COMBAT WOMO GUILT THE BEST?
Drowning out my kids by putting my ear phones in a listening to a podcast while pretending to play with them!
8. WOULD YOU RATHER BE DEALING WITH A TANTRUM OR PRESENTING IN A BOARD MEETING?
A tantrum as my kids don’t judge me!
9. IF YOU ASKED YOUR CHILDREN WHAT YOUR JOB IS, WHAT WOULD THEY SAY?
“I don’t know. Selling hair?” ( I work for a hair and beauty brand)
10. WHAT’S THE ONE THING YOU WISH YOU’D KNOWN BEFORE YOU BECAME A WOMO?
How expensive childcare is!
11. TO DATE, WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BEST WOMO ACHIEVEMENT?
Retraining as a beauty therapist while on Mat leave
12. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO TEACH YOUR KIDS ABOUT WORKING MOTHERS?
Mums job is as important as dads and we contribute equally.