I know for a lot of employers, the thought of hiring a mum, let alone a single mum, would be a real turn off. The higher liklihood of sick days thanks to children's ability to pick up every sniffle going maybe having something to do with that. I think they're missing a trick though.
Back when Milo first came on the scene I learnt quickly how much multi-tasking is involved in having one child, but now having two, it's a whole different level. It's not impossible, far from it, it just takes a little more effort and energy.
Cooking dinner with one irritable baby hanging off your arm in the 'football hold' whilst another, older child is simultaniously crashing his cars around you and vying for your attention is a regular feat of a mum of two.
Reading one child a bedtime story (in this case Milo) whilst the other is crying in your arm is another challenge. I've learnt that medium sized, strong paged children's books are the best for reading one handed as with these I can best manage turning the pages with the fingers of the hand holding the book whilst bouncing the baby on my other arm.
Today's main challenge was playing football and climbing at the playground whilst keeping a little one warm and happy in the Ergo and of course there's trying to stop the baby from getting too distracted during breastfeeding whilst my older boy is wanting to cuddle him at the same time.
This is with an almost 4 year age gap between my two. Mums of twins and kids who are much closer together in age must have to get even more skilled at this. They should get a bonus addition to their CV on top!
I tell you, the activity mums of two young children are able to 'manage' all on a serious lack of sleep and baby brain is incredible. Employers take note!
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I agree, great post. Also you can't clock off with children and shut the office door at 5pm! I also realised that all the things I stressed about when working are meaningless compared to some things you encounter as a parent!
ReplyDeleteVery true on both points! I remember going on a 5 train journey a couple of years ago without Milo and thinking how luxurious that was. Before children I would have thought a 5 hour train journey sounded like torture ;)
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