Hello Bernadette, tell us a bit about yourself. What do you do, and who looks after your children when you are working?
I run two businesses, Rosby (which is my childrens' middle names meshed together) is a Leadership, Wellbeing and Coaching Consultancy and the other is The Wellbeing Games a welltech solution transforming teams through wellbeing. Childcare is a mix of after school clubs, an after school nanny and me!
1. ONE WORD TO DESCRIBE HOW BEING A WOMO MAKES YOU FEEL?
Complete
2. WHAT’S THE FUNNIEST EXPERIENCE YOU HAVE HAD JUGGLING KIDS AND WORK?
Like most WoMos, I am sure, on a virtual sales call with a very pretigious prospect and my 6 year old son pulled up a chair next to me sticking his head in front of the camera. He then proceeded to climb onto my lap and wave at the two other people on the call saying 'hi' to them.
3. WHAT IS THE ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU COULD OFFER ANOTHER WOMO?
Be self-compassionate. We spend most of our day looking after everyone and everyone else and forget about our own needs. Take the time each day to be kind to yourself and do one thing (no matter how big or small) which is just for you and makes you feel good.
4. WHAT’S THE LEAST AMOUNT OF SLEEP YOU’VE GONE TO WORK ON, AND HOW DID YOU COPE?
Possibly 3-4 hours of broken sleep. I had one too many coffees and I honestly don't know how I got through it. I am sure not very well.
5. WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED ABOUT YOURSELF AS A WOMO?
I am not great at asking for help when I need it. I have learnt to both ask for help and also just let go and allow others to make their own mistakes (eg my husband or a childcarer) rather than putting pressure on myself to fix stuff. I have also realised that I am so much more resilient than ever but also more assertive about prioritising things.
6. IF YOU HAD A WORKING MOTHER’S ANTHEM OR MANTRA, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
We are all doing our best
7. WHAT IS YOUR GUILTY PLEASURE TO COMBAT WOMO GUILT THE BEST?
Really nice holidays, anywhere in the world.
8. WOULD YOU PREFER TO BE DEALING WITH A TANTRUM OR PRESENTING IN A BOARD MEETING?
Board meeting 😂
9. IF YOU ASKED YOUR CHILDREN WHAT YOUR JOB IS, WHAT WOULD THEY SAY?
Mummy helps people to be healthy and she is her own boss.
10. WHAT’S THE ONE THING YOU WISH YOU’D KNOWN BEFORE YOU BECAME A WOMO?
It's so much harder than you think - emotionally, physically and mentally!
11. TO DATE, WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BEST WOMO ACHIEVEMENT?
Leaving my corporate job and starting my own businesses.
12. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO TEACH YOUR KIDS ABOUT WORKING MOTHERS?
Working Mothers are superheroes. We provide for them and for ourselves but we always make a choice to flex our lives so that we can be the best person we can be. I am a much better mum to both of them for working.
IG:
@bwellwithb
@rosbyconsulting
@wellbeinggames