Help With Research - Working Mothers

[Charlie4]

Hello Everyone

I have just joined Bub Hub and I have been reading some of the posted messages.

I am a 47 year old grandmother. My granddaughter is 5 years old and she lives in Perth. I work full-time and also run a home business.

I am doing a bit of a survey about working mothers.

I would welcome your comments/opinions on the following:

1. Do you have choice to work or not?

2. If you did have a choice what would it be?

3. Would you rather be working full-time or part-time?

4. Would you describe yourself as someone who is confident/self assured and someone who is opened to new ideas?

5. What is your stance on using pharaceutical and natural products:
(a) In your home?
(b) With your children?

I look forward to your replies. Please email me at smoutou@bigpond.net.au

Thank you one and all.

Charlie4

[ELA23]

hi charlie4,

i would love to stay at home and look after my baby but unfortunately being unplanned i have to go back at least part time. we just cant seem to survive if i dont. i heard something today that studies have shown that sahm work the equivilent of 2 full time jobs, and all i could think of is why arent we paid like that then. the government gives us not much help at all.

i have to return to work 6 wks after bub so we can make ends met, lucky i have a great mum to help look after bub while im at work or we would struggle big time.


Emma
bub due 14/3/05

[Oscar&Liliana]

Hi Charlie4

I have recently had my second child and relocated to QLD. I gave up work in August last year, in readiness for the arrival of our daughter. This was my choice, as I wanted to spend the first couple of years with both our children and watch them grow and develop.

I suffered from PND after my first child, and thought that all would be solved by physically going back to work. I had a demanding job as a business analyst in a male dominated company. I worked from home during my maternity leave and felt a little bit indispensible.

I returned to work initially 3 days a week, but soon upgraded this to 4 days a week, as I found 1) I couldn't get all my work done and people were ringing me at home 2) I got sick of the sarcastic remarks about "I thought you were still on holidays" and 3) If they didn't ring me at home, they would completely bypass me on important matters that affected how I did my job. Therefore my work experience as a working mum was not a happy one. I applaud all the mums who work fulltime and part time, your time management skills must be exceptional. Good Luck.

[mumworkingoverseas]

Hi Charlie4,

In answer to your questions:

Qu1 - Yes I have a choice as my husband has a well paid job that he loves. I have a fairly demanding career but I worked very hard to get to my current position. I thought long and hard about whether I would still pursue my career after we started a family and decided that I would see how things went. I felt I would regret giving up my career so quickly after having achieved my current position. My daughter has just turned one and everything seems to have come together and melding work and home is easier. That said, if in the future it became too difficult to work or we felt that I should stay at home full-time, I will do so.

Qu2. My ideal choice would be to work perhaps three days a week. I cant do that in my current job. I could if I return to Australia but the work would not be as interesting and I would probably give it up altogether. I am lucky that for me the choice to work is based on career satisfaction.

Qu3. This depends on whether quality childcare is available. At the moment I have fantastic childcare but if I could not access good childcare I would probably not work.

Qu4. Yes to both questions.

Qu5. I try to use natural products where possible. However I think this choice usually comes down to finances. Organic and natural products tend to be expensive. I think most people prefer them but not everyone can afford them.

Cheers,
Mumworkingoverseas.

[shellbell]

hi charlie 4

hers some answers

1. i guess i have a choice as to whether i work or not, but myhubby & i (but mainly him) can't seem to keep to a budget, so the extra money comes in handy

2 i would absolutely rather be a stay-at-home mum - no question about it

3 i've been working part-time (3 days a week) for the last 18months, after #1 was born

4 definitely not open to new ideas

5 always try to use natural products in the home and espcially now that there are kids involved. don't tend to have too many pharmaceuticals in the house