Hello Patricia, tell us a bit about yourself.
I am a psychotherapist and Co-Founder of Nyx Therapies, my children are 17 and 14. I work full time
1. ONE WORD TO DESCRIBE HOW BEING A WOMO MAKES YOU FEEL?
Empowered.
2. WHAT’S THE FUNNIEST EXPERIENCE YOU HAVE HAD JUGGLING KIDS AND WORK?
There wasn’t really one. When I had my kids, Zoom or online meetings were not a thing. I had a stressful job in the city that caused me a lot of anxiety and I constantly felt torn between my obligations as a mum and as a professional.
3. WHAT IS THE ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU COULD OFFER ANOTHER WOMO?
Try to be as organised as possible, treat juggling kids and a job like a military operation. Be always prepared for the worst case scenario and for feeling guilty when missing out on your children’s activities or milestones.
4. WHAT’S THE LEAST AMOUNT OF SLEEP YOU’VE GONE TO WORK ON AND HOW DID YOU COPE?
Zero hours of sleep, felt like a zombie, but adrenaline and love for my job kept me going.
5. WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED ABOUT YOURSELF AS A WOMO?
That I am stronger than I thought I was.
6. IF YOU HAD A WORKING MOTHER’S ANTHEM OR MANTRA, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Some girls are bigger than others.
7. WHAT IS YOUR GUILTY PLEASURE TO COMBAT WOMO GUILT THE BEST?
Buying shoes.
8. WOULD YOU RATHER BE DEALING WITH A TANTRUM OR PRESENTING IN A BOARD MEETING?
I’d rather present in a board room, so much more predictable and you have the chance to prepare.
9. IF YOU ASKED YOUR CHILDREN WHAT YOUR JOB IS, WHAT WOULD THEY SAY?
That I work as a therapist, they are old enough to understand what it entails.
10. WHAT’S THE ONE THING YOU WISH YOU’D KNOWN BEFORE YOU BECAME A WOMO?
How overwhelming and all encompassing parenthood can be at times and how much impact it has on your priorities, the work ones included.
11. TO DATE, WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BEST WOMO ACHIEVEMENT?
The start of a new career after my divorce and Co-founding Nyx Therapies.
12. WHAT DO YOU WANT TO TEACH YOUR KIDS ABOUT WORKING MOTHERS?
I thought my kids to respect all mothers and their personal choices, whether they are working or not.
IG Nyx_therapies
Website: https://nyxtherapies.co.uk/