Watching an episode of Mad Men recently, I found myself feeling every inch of what was taking place on screen. It wasn't about drinking Bourbon in the office and it wasn't about everyday sexism - it was about an office move. (For anyone who is still watching Mad Men, there are no major spoilers here, but ...
“I usually collapse in my pyjamas by 8.30pm… I flake out on front of the TV, watching soaps…taking off my make-up and putting Sudocrem on my spots.” This week’s interview is with Lucy Kennedy; TV presenter on The 7 o’ Clock Show and mother of two. She talks about childcare, trying to do everything, working mother ...
“It is usually women… who see the raised eyebrows when they actually have to leave their desks to go and pick up their children and can’t stay late, but who maybe then put in another few hours on the laptop when the children go to bed” Originally from west Clare but living in Dublin, Joanne is ...
Over the last few weeks, one friend announced her first pregnancy, one finished work to go on her first maternity leave, and one is counting down towards her first return to work. All three are going through a mix of nervousness and excitement, but unsurprisingly, for the friend who is going back to work, it's ...
Childcare booked - check. Return to work date agreed - check. Sense of calm and wellbeing? Not quite there yet. Going back to work after maternity leave is a time of mixed emotions for many mothers - for some it's a worry, for some, it's exciting. And for most, it's a lot from column A and ...
"Ireland is better than the US but not as good as Scandinavia," I said to the public policy student who was sitting beside me, "I'd say we fall somewhere in the middle." We were at "Families and Work: A Chance for Change", a seminar organised by Start Strong, the National Women's Council and ICTU, ahead of ...
“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 ...
"...while being at home with your kids is great...it isn't easy, you don't get a break, you can barely get a chance to pee in peace! It is very rewarding in other ways but it is in no way glamorous" This week I meet Sara Delmer who is a twenty-eight year old mother of two. She's ...
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 ...
“I was just 22 when Claire was born… We had no family in Dublin and crèche facilities were non-existent. I found a nice local woman with kids of her own to mind Claire and I had to return to work full-time the day she was six weeks old. That was very tough” This week I meet ...