I’m Andrea Mara, author (crime), blogger (parenting), and mum of three (kids).
Office Mum is a blog about being a parent, about juggling work and home, and mostly about being a human today, muddling through.
Here’s a bit of background:
Until April 2015, I worked in the Funds Industry – I spent a decade there as a relatively carefree employee, followed by a further seven years as a working mother – a very different experience.
Back at work after my third maternity leave, perplexed about how to more easily manage full-time work and three small children, I started a blog as a way of letting off steam and connecting with other women in the same situation.
Then rather awkwardly for someone with a blog called Office Mum, in April 2015, my office closed.
I was offered redundancy or redeployment, and I decided, heart in mouth, to take the opportunity to turn a blogging hobby into a career: I stepped away from the office, and into the world of freelance writing for magazines and newspapers. I planned to try it for six months, and happily for me, I did it for four years – until the next big change came long.
That came in the form of writing crime fiction, and my first book – a suspense thriller called The Other Side of the Wall was published by Poolbeg in June 2017. My second book, One Click, was published in 2018, and my third, The Sleeper Lies, came out in February 2020. Later that year, I signed a new two-book deal with Transworld | Penguin Random House, and All Her Fault will be out in June 2021.
A little bit on the personal side …
I’m a list-maker and a note-taker; a sporadic diary-keeper and frequent photo taker. This blog became an extension of the obsessive cataloging – a hobby and a soapbox, but also a personal record. Posts are far less frequent than they used to be when I was trying to navigate Baby Led Weaning and sleepless nights, but I like that it’s still here when the notion to let off steam takes hold.
HI,
I love your blog and like most moms – forever struggling with the balance. I gave up my 7 years office job to mind the two kids as I couldn’t cope back at work especially after the second. I had no idea what I was going to do but I have been working part time with Stella & Dot for fours months now and I love it!!! I want others moms to know the opportunity is there and you can have a life/work outside the home. I would love to share my story and maybe get other moms on board?
Let me know what you think and congrats on the refreshing Blog!
Regards,
Brenda
Hi Brenda, Thanks for getting in touch and I’ll certainly take a look!
Oh wow, in another life I live in Dun Laoghaire (despite not remembering how to spell it) and loved walking along the pier. Love your blog. Looking forward to reading along. Anne
Lovely to meet you (as such) and very much enjoyed nosing around your blog earlier!
Hi. I’ve just discovered your blog and I love it! I’m new to this blogging business but so far I love it too. TX
Best of luck with your blog – looking forward to checking it out!
Hi there,
I just came across you on instagram then checked out your blog. I like your writing and will read along for sure! I’ve recently started my own blog about our life in Amsterdam. It’s great to find other Irish women’s writing-I’m new to this so am feeling inspired this morning. Thank you!
Congratulations on your new blog and that’s lovely to hear you’re all inspired – I love reading about how parents find it living in other countries, so looking forward to checking it out!