Scotmum is proud to support working mums and is keen to bring you a different, inspirational mum on a regular basis so that you can see how they manage to attain that elusive work/life balance. This week, Scotmum interviews Debra McVicker, 37, from Belfast who has a 7 year old daughter and a 2 year old son.
What is your profession and how many hours per week do you work?
I used to work as a part-time Training and Events Coordinator for a major charity organising health promotion events. However, after my maternity leave was over, instead of going back to that line of work (childcare costs would have doubled) I decided to look into setting up my own business. After many months of researching and talking my sister into joining me on this little adventure, we recently launched our own website www.hamptonblue.co.uk. Its an online boutique selling jewellery, accessories and gifts. I couldn’t count how many hours I am working per week at the moment. Every chance I get I am on the computer or making phone calls. I do have 2 half days a week, when my son goes to a playgroup and that’s when I get the bulk of the work done.
Could you describe a typical day in your life?
On the 2 days the kids are in school and play group I commute to my desk in the corner of our family room and get stuck in to my ‘To do’ list. I might have to update the website, add new products, call suppliers, package orders, research marketing ideas. Its different every day. I pick the kids up from school in the afternoon and after organising snacks, doing homework, making the dinner, bathtime, tidying up – all the usual chores, I am usually straight back into working on the business.
What do you feel are the pros and cons of being a working mother?
Pros – A second income (well hopefully that will come soon!). A sense of fulfillment and achievement and the fact that I am using my brain and the education I was given!
Cons – Its hard to juggle everything sometimes. You always have a sense of guilt that you are not quite able to be that perfect mum/wife/career women all of the time. I’m a very well organised person and I forgot to give my daughter her PE kit for school last Tuesday and then forgot to send her school library book in on the Friday of the same week. I felt like I let her down, because I was too busy working on building our future!
Why did you decide to branch out and work for yourself?
I absolutely loved my old job, but the realisation that I would be working to basically pay childcare costs and the fact that I had reached a time in my life when I didn’t want someone else telling me how many days holiday I could have a year, spurred me on to think of going it alone. It also means that I get to be at home with my kids a lot more.
What would be your top tip for working mums in order to cope with the demands of their day to day lives?
Two tips if I can. Firstly, be as organised as you possibly can. Write ‘To do’ lists and work your way through them and try to be prepared for the next day or ahead of any events/appointments you have organised.
Secondly, have some me time. I try to exercise a few times a week. That’s my time to clear my head and re-energise myself.
