Mummy it is time to go back to work – what do you do?

Tags

going back to work, Mums in the workplace

Going back to work as a Mum can be exciting and daunting all at the same time as you get to recreate your work identity but at the same time the Mummy instincts kick in and leaving your child becomes one of the scariest experiences of your life. So what do you do? Here are 3 handy tips to help you survive the return to work journey.

Plan and Talk with Your Family

Talk it over with your partner and family members explore all the options like how much money do you need, how much time away from the family is necessary , childcare and most of all what type of role do you require to motivate you to go back to work.

Mummy’s are valuable to the workforce

Many employers value their “mums” on staff they see them as reliable, highly organised and committed to getting the job done. Returning to work after being a Mummy is not a disadvantage often it is an advantage!

If you are returning from Maternity leave and your “old” role no longer suits you make a time to sit down and see if it is possible to negotiate a new arrangement most employers prefer to negotiate rather than see a valued staff member leave the team

Make your job search work for you talk to the agencies

Recruitment Agencies know their clients well and know who has family friendly policies and there is a hidden job market for Mummy’s returning to work and these agencies know where to look. In addition make sure your resume sells you it is the most important piece of paper getting you that new role.

Look at resources like The Employment Hub where there are careers advisors, jobs boards and articles all to help you. And most importantly if you need help ask!

What makes a Mummy like Me?

I have been thinking what makes a Mummy like me? All Mums are different and I think that is great and amazing! So what makes a Mummy like me take on the world of business while raising my baby girl! Simple – I want to show her she can have the world.

I want her to dream big dreams and go after them which are what I did with my journey to get her!

I want her to reach for her goals Family Capers allowed me to do that!

I want her to be who she wants to be Media Connections allows me to do that.

Most of all I want her to be happy and with her and my husband by my side while I work that is what I am!

I am proud of the Mum and woman I am and just wanted to celebrate all types of Mums! Well done everyone!

 

Facebook – It is still important to use your personal profile

Tags

FaceBook, Social Media

After networking today it came up about liker number and the effect that business page use has had on the growth of pages. Likes from a business page don’t count as a liker of a business page and combined with all the other Facebook changes it is now harder to grow a liker base.

For me I have hardly used the business profiles of my pages since they came in and if we do it is maybe once a week or so that we do. The reason being that I like people to meet me and to introduce the business/service of our range of brands to the page or group I am communicating with.

Reasons to Use your Personal Profile on Facebook:

• To Participate in groups (this is not available in page mode)
• To keep the personal aspect of Social Networking
• To allow people to know your business and you
• To like pages so that the liker base for the page increases (Karma will see it come back to you

I maybe old-fashioned but I like using my profile to network on Facebook and for me I see it as an important tool in my business in addition to pages and groups.

Till next Time Linda

Making time for you – Create some 5 min me time

This post comes after a busy and hectic week in both my business life with Family Capers and Media Connections, as well as being a Mummy who needed some time out this week!

One of the hardest things when juggling work, business and family is making time for you. As a Mummy you are often putting kids, hubby and business before your needs and if a friend in need calls you will go and help them too! Which are all great qualities and what we love about mummies but what about making time for you before you go stir crazy or burn out? Remember a happy family needs a happy Mummy not a stressed one.

I was reminded of this today when this morning I am juggling dishes, phone and writing and article it all started. Miss wanted to paint Hubbys had calls to do and I am left standing there a bit muddleheaded and feeling like the wheels are going to fall off at any minute the alarm bells rang – Time to take care of you.

Mummy needs a coffee!

Many Mummies ask me how I do what I do and I say coffee mostly as a joke but sometimes it is very true coffee is my escape and relaxes me giving me that precious moments of me time.  A coffee for me can be at my desk while surfing the web, on the couch while baby sleeps beside me or an escape outside with Miss for a Chino as I get away from what I do for the day. It is my 5 mins of my time!

Creating some 5 min My Time:

As a working Mummy it is better to create my time than wait for the wheels to be falling off like I did this morning before you take care of me however that is not always possible so here are some quick 5 min my time tips that can help to take care of you!

• Have a coffee or treat in a special cup away from it all (I love my Mummy Rocks Cup saved just for these occasions)
• Hand cream a really nice stop at your desk and sit back and feel the sensations– not only makes your hand feel nice but if you have a nice scented one you get aromatherapy too
• Have a candle – lighting my candle lifts my mood and give me stress relief takes 2 seconds to do but freshens the room
• Walk outside just you – no hubby no kids just walk outside and look around!
• Hide a magazine – get your fav mag and hide it then bring it out when you need me time and hide it again. (Protecting it from drawings and crumpled pages)
• Mixed tape (well Cd’s now) create yourself a playlist of your fav songs to play in the car and get in some my time that way (remember really loud and to sing who cares who see you!)

I would love to hear how other Mummies get in some my time in under 5 mins to stay sane in juggling their days.

Now for me it is off to plan a day spa trip with no hubby or kids even if I don’t get there planning if half the fun!

 

A Snapshot of an IVF Journey

I was going through my PC and found my notes and steps on my IVF Journey that went with a blog I had. I thought I would share it with you so you have an idea of what an IVF journey is like and how Miss C made it into the world!

We shared our TTC through ICSI at City IVF and love the team. And after 6 cycles 5 stims and a 10 week scare our dream came true.
We have had spotting to full on bleeds and this little girl has hung on tight to her Mum for which I will be forever grateful!

I hope my history/story/journey gives someone the hope the need it really makes me believe magic does happen and miracles are real.

Our ICSI and Preg Journey:
July 06 – First FS Visit
Sept 06- First ERT and ET BFN – 5 embies to frozen
Nov 06 – Cancelled FET – none survived the thaw (heartache and not knowing why)
Jan 07 – FS put me back on the pill bleed for 6 weeks due for ET in March but decided to change FS
Mar 07 – Visit with Dr Das he and his team are excellent
April 07 – Full ERT and ET 1 embie and transferred
July 07 – Feng Shui specialist prepped house for baby started alternative hunt for symbols and rituals
Aug 07 – Planning visit moved to 12th September
Sept 07 – 12th September planning visit for October Cycle and Baby
Oct 07 – Early MC at 5 weeks (disappointing but 1 step closer)
March 08 – Lap endo found and gone now we have answers
April/May – BFN Stim Cycle – No Embies Left
June – Started the Pill for July cycle
July – Operation Make DH a Daddy Success BFP
12th September 08 Baby Tigger gave us a major scare!!!!!!!!!!!!!! but just a major clot
16th Of September meeting with FS and bubs was there! Yay!!!!
17th November – 20 Week Scan we are expecting a Girl
15th Jan 1 Hour GTT is 8.1 2 hour test here we come
17th Jan Midwife visit and she is moving very well just likes a weird postion!!!
19th Jan 09 Gtt is neg
9th Feb Booked CS for the 31st March
31st March – Miss Charlotte Arrive

Facebook – It is still important to use your personal profile.

At a networking event today it came up about liker number and the effect that business page use has had on the growth of pages. Likes from a business page don’t count as a liker of a business page and combined with all the other Facebook changes it is now harder to grow a liker base.

For me I have hardly used the business profiles of my pages since they came in and if we do it is maybe once a week or so that we do. The reason being that I like people to meet me and to introduce the business/service of our range of brands to the page or group I am communicating with.

Reasons to Use your Personal Profile on Facebook:

• To Participate in groups (this is not available in page mode)
• To keep the personal aspect of Social Networking
• To allow people to know your business and you
• To like pages so that the liker base for the page increases (Karma will see it come back to you

I maybe old fashioned but I like using my profile to network on Facebook and for me I see it as an important tool in my business in addition to pages and groups.

Till next Time

Like to share you opinion why not try surveys

We all know that being a Working Mum has time when income is short or cash flow is tight so I thought I would share a blog post on Surveys to create a resource list for us Working Mums.

Survey Sites:                                                                         

Survey Savvy: As a member, you can make a difference by participating in online surveys, focus groups, as well as other interactive studies.

Pure Profile: Give your honest opinions and get paid every time you participate in a survey. Businesses need to make the big decisions and your opinions are essential. Marketing matched to you; Brands are waiting to reward you for your participation in marketing campaigns. Be paid for visiting websites and viewing video clips, all targeted specifically to you based on the answers in your profile.

My Opinions:  MyOpinions Surveys are market research surveys that ask you general questions about your lifestyle, habits and opinions. It is through your answers that future products are developed and created.

YourVoice: The Your Voice panel is an online community that has been designed to provide members with a forum to voice their opinions on current affairs, products and services.

Why should you become a Your Voice member and join this online revolution?

• Membership is free of charge.
• We reward YOU for the time you spend answering surveys.
• Your input is vital to the development of new and improved products and services. Your views count!
• Survey invitations are sent by email, providing you with easy and secure access.

Opinions Paid: Opinionspaid is an online community with members from all around Australia. This panel has been formed to provide members with an opportunity to give their opinions on a wide variety of matters including social and cultural issues, products and services via online surveys.

Opinionspaid has been operating for 5 years, obtaining and analysing panel members’ opinions to understand consumer attitudes and purchase behaviour in Australia.

The results from Opinionspaid surveys are used to advise Australian and global businesses on the products and services they offer to the community. By participating in this panel and our surveys you are influencing choices available to you as a consumer.

Rewards Central:  is an online rewards program exclusively for Australians, where you can earn rewards and have lots of fun.

• Any resident of Australia can join

You just need to be 14 years or older and have a valid email address.

• It’s FREE

There is no joining fee, and no fees to remain a member. It’s totally FREE!

• Earn reward points

Earn rewards for online shopping, reading email, clicking on links, and more.

• Redeem your reward points for real cash or prizes

Once you have enough points, you can redeem those points for real money or great merchandise.

• Win amazing prizes

You could WIN a share of $10,000 and other great prizes by participating in RewardsCentral competitions.

Valued Opinions: There are thousands of viewpoints out there, but how many of them reflect yours? Isn’t it time somebody asked you for your opinion? Have your say with Valued Opinions on a range of subjects and get rewarded for your time

My View Membership benefits:

• Earn points for every survey you complete, and redeem these for great gift cards or a donation to a charity!
• Gain entry into the monthly $1,000 prize draw simply by completing surveys and sharing your views!
• Let companies know exactly what you think, and help shape decisions of major organisations.
• Sample new products

What Do You Think: Making money online has never been easier! Join What do you Think and get paid to take part in online surveys, paid market research and other free offers.

It’s 100% free to join WDYT.com.au, visit the sign-up page to complete your registration. By registering your details, you will be eligible to receive email invitations to complete surveys and participate in market research as well as take part in exclusive offers to get free stuff.

What do you Think is a website dedicated in rewarding you for your opinion. We believe your opinion counts so join our online market research panel and get access to a huge range of surveys and polls and get rewarded for letting us know your opinion.

Toluna: is the place to express your opinion and share it with others.
Rewards, prizes and product tests. Toluna is the place to express your opinion and share it with others.

Ok so I have bombarded you with survey sites that I know off so will be back later in the week with Mystery Shopping. If you know of any survey sites why not comment with them below.

A Place For All Blogging Mums

Today I am sharing an email from the lovely Alli Price at Motivating Mum!

 

Just a quick email to let you know I have recently launched a little directory on my blog with the aim of connecting bloggers with mums in biz and vice versa. After all, we’re all looking to develop and gain exposure so why not help each other and gain great cross-promotional opportunities?

The directory is divided into Biz Mums and Bloggers and you can either:

• List yourself for people to find you or,
• Search the directory in the appropriate sections and make contact with the people you find.

The directory is currently only just launched so it’s a little bare on bloggers/biz mums to search for so am hoping this email might encourage you to sign up or use it later to search.

And in case you were unsure what you might use it for you could:

• Find bizmums/bloggers to swap advertising or shout outs
• Approach bizmums for prizes for themed blogs
• Approach niche bloggers to review a product/service you offer that is within their field
• Advertise with bizmums/bloggers

This is a link to the directory www.motivatingmum.com/wp/directory – I hope you get involved and please let anyone else who may be interested know about this opportunity. I feel like we can all go a really log way to helping each other grow.

Cheers, Alli x

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To Do List – Is your reasonable???

Sitting here at almost 3pm I think wow I have achieved allot today as I cross another thing off my board feeling cuffed with myself but not all days are the same because some days I make unreasonable to-do lists. Today is not one of those days so what where the keys to success in today’s list.

1. I stated the list last night so I did not get up all muddle-headed and panicked so I was ready for work.
2. I planned my day I had time for Emails, Social Networking, Calls and Admin
3. I tackled one task at a time = allot more focused response and a faster result
4. I had a break for lunch
5. The tasks were reasonable and set in to small chunks
6. I have hidden my email so I only see it when I open it same with Facebook
7. I allocated my time so I used it wisely

This does not mean:

-          The phone did not ring

-          My toddler played the game and let mummy work when she needed to

-          That I did not had to juggle my day

What it did mean is that when these things happened today I was prepared for it and able to handle it without feeling ambushed.

The trick to today’s to-do list it was simple, visual and I felt like I achieved something with all the tasks being a step to the bigger picture. So really planning was the key to success with the detail needed to make sure I was focused on what I needed to do!

What works for you and your  To – Do list?

 

My 365 Day Project

Tags

photography project, photography skills, taking photos, visual diary

In an effort to have something for me and to reflect on this year I have started a 365 Day project and I must say I am loving it!  Selecting the photo that represents my day is fun.

Taking the camera with me is also a great distraction from the hustle and bustle of the day! Want to see what I am capturing take a look here:

http://365project.org/tiggerlinda/365

 

About 365 Project: (just incase you were like me last year and wondering what it was)

 

“A 365 Project is a photography project, you take 1 photo each day for a year on a subject of your choosing and share it with the world.

So.. What’s all the fuss?
Recently there has been a big hype about 365 Projects, everyone seems to be doing one, each with their own individual take on the subject. Some people take photos of themselves, others take photos of just one object, some take photos of their daily meals and others, like me, just take photos of every day life.

Why do it?
Taking a photo each day can be a big undertaking, however the payoffs and the sense of achievement at the end are great,

• Taking photos every day will improve your photography skills, there’s no doubt about it, using your camera so much will teach you about lighting, composition and creativity. Forcing yourself to come up with new ideas and making you look at life a little bit differently.
• Documenting you life will help you see clearer, it’s a great way to document what you spend your time on, your bad haircuts and your creativity.
• The number one reason for me is that it’s a visual diary, Imagine being able to look back on everything you’ve done, all those new places, new people and awesome nights out!

 

Motivation
Sometimes you’ll feel like there is nothing to take a photo of, that nothing exciting is happening, when days like this come around, and believe me, they come! Pick yourself up and force yourself out of the house and start taking pictures.

Telling your friends about the project will keep you interested, people will start asking if they can be in your picture or what your going to take today, people find it really interesting to talk about too, this all adds up to encourage and remind you to take better photos!

Getting Started
Here are my all time top 4 rules to remember on your journey into the 365.

• Take your camera everywhere! No camera, no picture!
• Don’t wait to post your images, get them uploaded within a day or two so you don’t end up with a huge backlog!
• Pick a theme to start with, it will keep you focused and make it easier to remember to take your photo.
• Don’t stop, remember the goal and how good it will be at the end.

 

I’d love to hear why you started your 365 Project in the comments.
If you haven’t already… Get signed up and get shooting!”

 

Courtesy of 365 Project