Welcome to my new ‘Working Mum Series’. This is a collection of interviews with other working mums from a range of backgrounds and jobs, each talking to us about how they make ‘it’ work. It being looking after a child (or two, or three) and doing their job. We all know that motherhood is amazing, but it can also be relentless at the same time. Throw a job into the mix (whether part time or full time, self employed or employed) and you’ve reached all sorts of crazy. I’ve put this series together to show other mums a few things;
1. That it’s okay to work when you’re a mum (some even see it as a break haha!)
2. We (more often than not!), do not always have our shit together, contrary to the Instagram pictures!
3. It is a fine balancing act that we have to get right to make it all work.
So, if you’re a new mum and thinking about going back to work, or a mum already back at work, I hope you enjoy these interviews and takeaway even just a few tips to help you get through your day. But more importantly, know that you’re doing a great job, and that there are lots of other mums out there feeling exactly the same as you, most of the time.
First up in the series is the lovely Victoria Genevieve – of Victoria Genevieve Styling. I have had the pleasure of meeting Victoria a few times now and she is a total dream of a woman. If you’re looking for a personal shopper or stylist – this is your go to lady! Check out her Instagram for some great outfit inspo.
I hope you enjoy!
Lisa
xoxo
Victoria Genevieve Styling
1.Please introduce yourself – what is your job, how many children you have, where you are from etc
Hiya, My name is Victoria, I’m a personal shopper and fashion writer, I have two children, 13 and 3 years old and we live in Kent.
2. How many days/hours a week do you work?
Being a freelancer and a very busy mum with my sons football I feel like I work 24 hours a day 7 days a week.
3.Describe a typical working day in your household (i.e. morning routines with nursery/school drop offs to evening)
I’m generally awoken at 6am by my daughter and she saves the 5:30am wake up call for the weekends, my son is 13 so I have to make him get up and out the house, I can’t explain which scenario is better. I go between Radio 1, Kisstory and Radio 2 depending on my mood and a lot of caffeine is involved. I then do the school and nursery run, park the car and get the train to London or drive to a clients house. After work I collect the kids then drive back to London for football practice, both kids in tow. We get home around 9pm.
4. How do you balance working life with motherhood? And what/who do you rely on to make it work?
I have 3 layers of childcare to make everything work and if I am truly honest, there isn’t a lot of balance. I can only give one bit of advice and that’s to ask for help, you can only do so much.
5. What is the best thing about being a working mum?
The best thing about being a working mum is meeting new people and fulfilling my dreams while supporting theirs. I couldn’t stay at home, I’m not designed to.
6. And the hardest?
The guilt… I feel guilty that I’m not always the best mummy I could be, sometimes I have to let things go and turn work down… the balance is sometimes ‘saying no’ and learning to let that be ok.
7. How do you unwind? Balancing motherhood with work can be relentless so what do you do to relax when you’re not at work/with the kid(s)?
I honestly can’t answer that, my shoulders are over my forehead.
8. What is your proudest mum moment?
Watching my son sign his football contract and seeing my daughter enjoying riding a pony.
9. Do you feel that motherhood has changed you, and if so, how?
I had my son when I was young so I had to grow up fast. It’s made me wiser and I have learnt a lot very early which has helped me no end.
10. What do you feel are the biggest challenges facing working mums at the moment?
Guilt, being super woman, being strong… sometimes we are put under so much pressure to take on the world, reach our own dreams while supporting our partners and our children’s, I know I get very little help and it’s the biggest problem I face. Luckily all my clients are mums themselves so they do understand, however I know its not easy for women working in an office environment or a retail situation to take time off if their kids are ill and need time off work.
11. What is your proudest work achievement?
My proudest work achievement was being told by the owner or Sheer Luxe that she was so impressed with my work she had to get me involved in their Fashion Day recently. Most work that comes my way is via word of mouth which is the best feeling in the world as social media is so contrived and not a solid or reliable reference of work.
12. What does ‘flexible working’ mean to you’?
Flexible working means I can do what I can at home and be there for my children while doing my job. Sometimes it seams unnecessary to sit in an office and put children in day care when we can ‘as and when’ work from home. It also would mean understanding when children have illness or an important event at school that requires your attention.
13. What are your go to stores/websites/blogs for your working wardrobe, and what are your staple pieces as a working mum?
As a ‘stylist for mums’ I show my clients the benefit of a capsule wardrobe and how you don’t need a lot of clothing to look fabulous and feel great everyday. I always think Pinterest is a great place to build a mood board for the next or current season. You need to detox and start again to do this but its so worthwhile and such a timesaver for busy mums.
14. Finally, what advice would you give to new working mums? I.e. those who are just going back to work from maternity leave, setting up their own businesses, or going for a new job?
You never get ‘your time back’ and honestly it goes so fast. Bigger kids have bigger problems and the ‘things’ that hold you back don’t go away they just evolve into something else, so no matter what it is you want to do, go for it. The best investment you can make is in yourself so if you have to pay childcare to give yourself a few hours to get the ball rolling, do it.
