My friend was not impressed. A 5pm conference call that was scheduled to last two hours. So instead of using his office phone, he dialled in on his mobile. At 6, he left work, still on the call. He walked to the train station, took the train home, got tea organised for his kids, and ...
I wasn't going to write anything about this week, but I'm sitting here drinking champagne (the not-champagne type), and that seems like a reason to write it down (or maybe it's the bubbles talking) As work-life balance goes, this week has been rather one-sided. Work has been busy and difficult. The life side of life, on ...
Babysitting. Something about which I have vivid memories; a teenage part-time-job. And now it's come full circle, as what seems like five minutes later, I'm all grown-up and paying a teenager to mind my kids. Having had three childminders (counting the runaway one) and about forty different creche minders (high turnover), I didn't expect that leaving the kids ...
What do you miss about life before kids? That was the question on an online forum recently. I sometimes miss sleeping when I like, and socializing when I like, and spending (ish) what I like. And I also miss curry. I really do. I used to make curry at least twice a week; chicken Korma with lime, ...
“Recently I was asked how I can say ‘no’ to work (which as a freelancer can be scary). My mantra is ‘every time I say yes to doing additional work, it means I’m saying no to being with the boys’. It makes the decision much easier” Originally from Scotland, Tracy moved to Ireland six years ago ...
Ray D'Arcy was in the playground. I glanced at him, looked away quickly, then casually glanced over a few minutes later. It was definitely him. Was Jenny there too? Yes! There she was! I had a sudden urge to walk over to the two of them and say hello. I mean, I know them right? ...
“There were mothers I met along the way that quite candidly said on a Monday morning 'Thank God the weekend is over, I can't wait to get back to work' and there were others who lived for the weekends neither is right or wrong” This week I meet Aisling Lyons, a mother of three, living ...
Driving along the coast road, the September sun is filtering through the white sky. Mixed weather is what the forecasters call it. Silence from the back; a Saturday football roundup on the radio. Tired after running all day, three small faces are watching but not watching. The sea stretches out beside us and the red and ...
“Two of the main things that keep people in a situation where they are less than happy are lack of confidence and that fear of change that holds many people back” This week I talk to Dearbhalla Baviera, a mum of four, who has transitioned from a full-time role as a management consultant to setting up ...
6.30am. The pitter patter of little feet. I can guess which feet. My early bird four-year-old. She climbs into bed to snuggle, and asks me what we're doing today. "Well, daddy is bringing your little brother swimming because he never gets to go normally, when you girls have classes. And in the afternoon, we've to bring ...