View as: GRID
LIST 
Transition to a Full Time Mummy
Like many mums I imagine, I LOVED the independence that being in work gave me. But I missed spending time with the children.
Being back at work, I felt valued, I was using my ‘brain’ and getting paid once a month! Talking to ‘other adults’ about
However, I HATED the stress of rushing out of the hospital to the bus stop, only to stand there for 15 minutes fretting about whether I needed to call ahead to nursery to say I was going to be late. Many times I arrived by the ‘skin of my teeth’! Not to mention paying the enormous nursery bill for two children.
I regularly felt like a failure. Failing at work when I made a mistake or had taken ages
I wished I was ‘young’ and ‘carefree’ so, I could go for drinks or to the cinema or play football after work. Instead, I rushed around collecting two tired toddlers. Battling to get them to bed.
I felt I was failing both my husband and the children (and I guess myself). Compared to my ‘off work’ days, the ‘work days’ were really manic. Yup I loved being back at work….?
My husband suggested “Why don’t you quit? Its too much, juggling your different shifts each week. Working Christmas, & Bank Hols etc”. Initially, I was TOTALLY against the idea. I needed my time away from the little people.
Then came the compulsory night rota….! (in addition to the already complicated earlies/lates/weekend rota)
After weeks of ignoring the new rota. I eventually came to the conclusion that my husband was RIGHT!??! I felt isolated, was it the right decision? Would my colleagues hate me for leaving,
To my surprise, once I started telling my family, friends, and colleagues, everyone understood and agreed it was the right decision. Many wished they could do it too and said
So the decision was made, the resignation letter submitted, the last day of my nearly 15yr career as a Biomedical Scientist loomed closer. The night out I’d wished for was happening, I was getting drunk on a ‘school night’.
During my last week at work, I moaned and mourned about the End of an Era. I
The following morning after my night out. HUNGOVER, but raring to go we had a family trip to Bristol museum. 18yrs we’ve lived in this city and I’m shamed to say we’d never been before. I don’t know why, its free and pretty cool!
During my first week of my new career….as a ‘Full Time Mummy’ (FTM)
I budgeted & planned our meals. I spent £15 at the fruit & veg shop with enough to last 2-3 weeks! I made ‘homemade meatballs’ & spaghetti; cooked dinners in the slow cooker; made ‘homemade’ soup for lunch and yoghurt cake for pudding!
Making the most of the last few days my little people were at nursery. I cleaned the carpets! I went to Ikea and reorganised the toy storage. I was also determined to do something new
I cancelled our cleaner …and bought some dusters ;-(
I wore makeup & perfume to toddler group (And it was noticed!!)
After 13 months of my son ‘wearing pants’ we had the most success ever, 7 dry days out of 9!!
I had firm words (via whats app) with my brother-in-law about the valuable job his wife has done by ‘staying at home’ to look after their children. And how OF COURSE, she can use him as a credit
I told my son “You have to be nice to mummy, I’m giving up work to look after you and your sister. I’ll need to be paid in wine & chocolate!” He said “Ok mummy you can have the play wine” “What ‘PLAY’ wine????” Off he trotted and came back with a plastic toy bottle of drink. We shared a rare cuddle!
Now, its the Start of a New Era and one that won’t last forever, my son starts school is September!
I’m Proud to say I’m Smart, Intelligent
“I”M GOING TO DO THIS AND DO IT WELL….!” We’re going to have fun on a budget! It’ll be just like Mat leave, but better because there’s no needy newborn!
I am grateful for having a supportive husband who has encouraged & allowed me to do this.
Though, I doubt I’ll ever do the washing up on an evening, thats his duty!
