Hello Helen, tell us a bit about yourself.
I’m an author and wine expert. Two of my kids are at secondary school (12 & 13yo) and one is at college (17yo).
(Take note WoMos…. Helen’s new book In Just One Day is available on Amazon from the 6th August!)
1. ONE WORD TO DESCRIBE HOW BEING A WOMO MAKES YOU FEEL?
Knackered!
2. WHAT’S THE FUNNIEST EXPERIENCE YOU HAVE HAD JUGGLING KIDS AND WORK?
My son standing in the garden in his boxer shorts pointing to his sports kit in the washing basket at my feet just as I went live on air talking about wine on Saturday Kitchen.
3. WHAT IS THE ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU COULD OFFER ANOTHER WOMO?
Get your husband to do his fair share of shopping/cooking/clearing up after the kids!
4. WHAT’S THE LEAST AMOUNT OF SLEEP YOU’VE GONE TO WORK ON AND HOW DID YOU COPE?
Literally no sleep. I just got through it then collapsed at the end in a heap on the floor with a glass of wine.
5. WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED ABOUT YOURSELF AS A WOMO?
That I’m good at multi-tasking but terrible when it comes to asking for help.
6. IF YOU HAD A WORKING MOTHER’S ANTHEM OR MANTRA, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Get more sleep.
7. WHAT IS YOUR GUILTY PLEASURE TO COMBAT WOMO GUILT THE BEST?
Wine (except I don’t feel that guilty about it).
8. WOULD YOU RATHER BE DEALING WITH A TANTRUM OR PRESENTING IN A BOARD MEETING?
Board meeting, every time.
9. IF YOU ASKED YOUR CHILDREN WHAT YOUR JOB IS, WHAT WOULD THEY SAY?
Drinks wine, writes books.
10. WHAT’S THE ONE THING YOU WISH YOU’D KNOWN BEFORE YOU BECAME A WOMO?
That it’s totally worth it in the end.
11. TO DATE, WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BEST WOMO ACHIEVEMENT?
Writing a novel during lockdown/home schooling.
12. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO TEACH YOUR KIDS ABOUT WORKING MOTHERS?
That if you do something you love, it makes every day more exciting.
You can follow Helen on Instagram @knackeredmother and on Facebook @knackeredmotherswineclub