9 Things I’ve Learned About Being a Working Mother

Working Mother - Office Mum

Over seven years as a mother working outside the home, I've learnt a thing or two: 1. The working mother clichés are true Soother in suit pocket? Check. Smushed banana on trousers? Check. Racing out of work to make it to creche on time? Yes, a thousand times over. Clichés exist because they are mostly true, and really, in this ...

Office Mum stories – Mary Holmes

Mary Holmes Ruby Seven Office Mum

“It can often be hard putting on my coat and heading out to work in the evening. Both from the point of view of missing story and bedtime and also after a long day it’s hard to ignore the sofa calling!”  This week I meet Mary Holmes, a Dublin based mother, and owner of Ruby Seven, ...

The secret life of a working mum

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I'm writing this from my small boy's bedroom floor, and when he finally goes to sleep, I'll grab something to eat, probably standing at the counter, making a school lunch and checking e-mails at the same time. Then I'll bake a cake for the school cake-sale. OK, there's no cake-sale. But you get the drift. ...

Office Mum stories – Alison O’Connor

Alipicex

“Sometimes I think that the only way this would be properly addressed by society is if women announced they were not going to be involved in any further reproduction until the system was change to make life easier afterwards” This week’s interview is with Alison O'Connor, who is a columnist with The Irish Examiner. Her work ...

No-FOMO – the stuff I’m not missing

Cheltenham - Office Mum

Some friends of mine are meeting for dinner on Friday, and I can't go. The pull to cancel my plans in order to join them is strong - hovering at the fringes of my mind ever since I saw the email. I'll resist, but I'll be wondering if it's a good night, if they'll be ...

If toddlers ruled the world

Office Mum - Toddler Ruler

I asked my three-year-old recently how he would do things if he ruled the world. Because he can't fully articulate this just yet, I observed him in everyday life and wrote it down for him - I think this is pretty much what he'd decree if he was in charge: Playtime at 5am is permitted seven days a week, and singing ...