Office Mum stories – Anna Frankland

Office Mum: Anna Frankland

“When I went back to work after having the twins I found that venture capital and looking after twin girls were not compatible!” This week, I hear from mother of three Anna Frankland, as she explains how she transitioned from working in venture capital in Sydney to setting up her own Pilates studio, Reform Pilates, in ...

Office Mum stories – Tracy Gunn

Office Mum: Tracy Gunn Mumager photo

“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 ...

Office Mum Stories – Dearbhalla Baviera

Office Mum interview: Dearbhalla Baviera

“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 ...

Office Mum stories – Helen Plass

Office Mum: Helen Plass

"Oh my God aren’t we desperate! Women are so hard on themselves and way too hard and judgmental of other women too" This week’s interview is with Helen Plass, owner of mumandbaby.ie a website for mothers-to-be and new mothers. She’s a yoga teacher, runs active birth workshops, hosts webinars, and is a mum of two little ...

Does maternity leave give women a taster for becoming stay-at-home mothers?

Office Mum photo: white wine

Why is it that more women than men stay at home with children? In 98% of families with one parent at home, it's a woman who takes that role. Assuming there isn't a secret world where stay-at-home mothers get to loll about all day in spas sipping Pinot Grigio, there must be something behind it. Here are some theories (discussed here many times ...

Office Mum stories – Melissa Hill

office mum interview: photo of Melissa Hill

“Women have been conditioned to feel that it’s up to them to keep all balls in the air which in reality is just not feasible (not to mention unfair)” This week’s interview is with bestselling author Melissa Hill, who lives in South Dublin with her husband and four-year-old daughter. After an early career in banking, she ...

Office Mum stories – Barbara Scully

Office Mum interview: Barbara Scully

“Me, who had always had a title - Travel Agent, Teacher, PRO – now found myself with the title of Housewife?  And I wasn’t going to call myself that for a minute.  Only because it is a very stupid title – I never married a house” Back after the holidays, the weekly interview series resumes with ...

Mumager workshop – back to work

Office Mum post: Mumager logo

A room full of working mothers, hundreds of enthusiastic conversations, two inspirational coaches, sun streaming through the windows, and all the croissants we could eat - the Mumager workshop was starting out well. There's something very uplifting about spending a day with like-minded people - with women who have similar aspirations and similar concerns. The realisation ...

Mythbusting the mythbusters on working mother guilt

Office Mum post: word Myth

Working mother guilt is a myth, according to widely publicised survey findings from UK parenting website Mumsnet. 48% of the 900 mothers polled said that they were happier having a job than being at home, sparking a range of newspaper articles on the topic, including this one by Bryony Gordon who said: "The idea that working women feel ...

Not guilty

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Working mother guilt – does it ever ease? If we’re not feeling guilty about being apart from our children, we’re feeling guilty about an un-ironed uniform, unsigned homework or giving toast for dinner. And sometimes we feel guilty about work too. While I would argue vehemently that parents in the workplace are working just as hard ...