Sat at my desk in my office, i've started to wrap things up and sign things off ready for me to leave this place for the next 2 weeks. All my team have been spoken to and understand the tasks for the coming weeks and all reports and spreadsheets have been completed and sent to the relevant people. With all this having been done, why do people still get in a blind panic about me leaving? All of a sudden the world and his wife feel they need to know every little aspect of my job so they can prepare for when the world comes crashing down.
All of a sudden, as I start sending emails to remind people i'll be leaving for the next few weeks, they decide this is the opportune moment to tell me of all the problems that they've been having. Like i'm able to do something about it at 16.10 on the day i'm finishing. People ring me to suddenly find out where files are kept that haven't even been looked at for the past 6 months! It's craziness.
I've been very organised this time round and prepared briefing notes for all the folders I use and 'read me' documents so that everyone knows exactly what to do in different circumstances. It's funny, but when ever one of my colleagues goes an holiday the only email I send them is one to say have a lovely time away and don't even give work a second thought. When I go on leave, they act like i'm the only person in the world who can do my job. As much as I would love to think i'm totally indispensable, the reality is i'm not. I think that the truth of the matter is that no one actually likes the job I do and therefore no one wants to take on any responsibility for it in my absense. I can understand this, I manage a team that has very varied personalities and it is a challenge. I happen to love that part of my job and that's often what motivates me in a morning to get myself into work, the fact i'm working with such a diverse group of people all buzzing with different ideas and perspectives. The fact that other people may not like it....well its tough i'm affraid, just deal with it for 2 weeks.
I also find it slightly amusing that my boss seems to have a need to find out what I do as well, after all they did hire me to do the job! I can appreciate that we get so warpped up in our own working day and our own roles that we don't put aside time to learn what are colleagues and team mates do, i'm probably guilty of this as well. I just think that if an email isn't answered for 2 weeks then it's ok and life as we know it will still carry on regardless.
You take a holiday to relax and unwind and here I now am at 20.33 in the evening still checking emails and making sure I haven't missed anything. yes, I need to learn to switch off and forget about it and after a few days i'm pretty sure I won't be giving work a second thought.
xxxx
Thursday, 28 April 2011
All is well in world of my bump
After having such an easy pregnancy with Holly, I'm a little shocked to say that i'm not having such an easy time with bump. It started with horrible sickness from day one and this went onto last for 13 weeks. Trying to hide the fact that my colleague, who sat next to me, wore a perfume that made me wanted to gip every morning was not an easy task. I also went completely off tea and chocolate, which were and hopefully will be again, my two saving graces and I had the worst break out of spots that would rival any teenager. My hair is rubbish and my nails are constantly breaking and I even have to say i've been suffering with the dreaded fat ankles.
Given that I experienced none of this with my baby girl, it's safe to say that this pregnancy does not suit me. There were some early concerns with this pregnancy when the doctors found a mass growing next to the side of my baby. It had been causing me a great deal of pain so I was taken in early to have a scan and see what was going on. The goods new was that it ruled out an ectopic pregnancy and the baby seemed to be fine where it was. They did however, suspect that I may have a partial molar pregnancy. This is where the egg is fertilised by 2 sperm and it means that the chances of the baby being normal are non existent. They kept a close eye on my for the few first months but the mass just seemed to get rid of it's self. The pain went and it finally felt like I was having a normal pregnancy, despite the factors mentioned above.
I went for my 20 week scan last week and that was a trauma in itself. The little devil is so far down that they struggled to get a good picture. Everytime they thought they had him he would wriggle about and move before they managed to press the button and capture what they wanted. So they sent me off for a walk around the hospital to try and encourage him to move. The baby, on the other hand, had different ideas. The second scan did allow a few photos to be taken but still not the number they needed, so off I was sent again. This time with the added advice of, "if you could possibly drik more water that might help." I don't think they understood that my bladder was alreasy the size of a football, but I wanted to get out of there so more water I drank. The third scan allowed them to get everything they needed and I was sent back to the waiting room to wait for them to bring out my notes and my scan photos. As the nurse appeared I jumped up to get the stuff from her (and also because I was busting at the seems to use the toilet) only to be told that some of the pictures hadn't come out and could I come back in again? Yes of course I could I said through gritted teeth. This time I made sure they had everything before I left that room as I was headed for the loo and wild horses would not stop me.
We were sent on our way with everything sorted and scan pictures in hand.
A trip to the midwife yesterday revealed that she was unable to listen to the baby's heart beat. I knew everything was fine as I could feel him using my insides as a playground but they couldn't hear the heart. "It could be that he's in a funny position and the monitor can't get round to hear the heart beating" she said. This is definitely a boy I thought to myself, only a boy would give me this much hassle! I Like the idea of having a son though. So she made an appointment for me to see the Midwife at the hospital just to get everything checked out.
I got back from the appointment at 10.30 this morning and I'm pleased to say that everything is good and a good strong heart beat was heard by all. Despite the rubbish time i've been having during this pregnancy, I would put up with it a thousand times over as long as my baby was ok. I have been given the all clear and told to just carry on now as if it's a normal pregnancy and enjoy the next 4 months. So that's what I plan to do. I'm going to carry on meeting my lovely mummy (and non mummy friends), spending time relaxing (as often as work and kids will allow) and enjoy the rest of the summer until my new arrival decides to join us.
Sue & Bump
xx
Given that I experienced none of this with my baby girl, it's safe to say that this pregnancy does not suit me. There were some early concerns with this pregnancy when the doctors found a mass growing next to the side of my baby. It had been causing me a great deal of pain so I was taken in early to have a scan and see what was going on. The goods new was that it ruled out an ectopic pregnancy and the baby seemed to be fine where it was. They did however, suspect that I may have a partial molar pregnancy. This is where the egg is fertilised by 2 sperm and it means that the chances of the baby being normal are non existent. They kept a close eye on my for the few first months but the mass just seemed to get rid of it's self. The pain went and it finally felt like I was having a normal pregnancy, despite the factors mentioned above.
I went for my 20 week scan last week and that was a trauma in itself. The little devil is so far down that they struggled to get a good picture. Everytime they thought they had him he would wriggle about and move before they managed to press the button and capture what they wanted. So they sent me off for a walk around the hospital to try and encourage him to move. The baby, on the other hand, had different ideas. The second scan did allow a few photos to be taken but still not the number they needed, so off I was sent again. This time with the added advice of, "if you could possibly drik more water that might help." I don't think they understood that my bladder was alreasy the size of a football, but I wanted to get out of there so more water I drank. The third scan allowed them to get everything they needed and I was sent back to the waiting room to wait for them to bring out my notes and my scan photos. As the nurse appeared I jumped up to get the stuff from her (and also because I was busting at the seems to use the toilet) only to be told that some of the pictures hadn't come out and could I come back in again? Yes of course I could I said through gritted teeth. This time I made sure they had everything before I left that room as I was headed for the loo and wild horses would not stop me.
We were sent on our way with everything sorted and scan pictures in hand.
A trip to the midwife yesterday revealed that she was unable to listen to the baby's heart beat. I knew everything was fine as I could feel him using my insides as a playground but they couldn't hear the heart. "It could be that he's in a funny position and the monitor can't get round to hear the heart beating" she said. This is definitely a boy I thought to myself, only a boy would give me this much hassle! I Like the idea of having a son though. So she made an appointment for me to see the Midwife at the hospital just to get everything checked out.
I got back from the appointment at 10.30 this morning and I'm pleased to say that everything is good and a good strong heart beat was heard by all. Despite the rubbish time i've been having during this pregnancy, I would put up with it a thousand times over as long as my baby was ok. I have been given the all clear and told to just carry on now as if it's a normal pregnancy and enjoy the next 4 months. So that's what I plan to do. I'm going to carry on meeting my lovely mummy (and non mummy friends), spending time relaxing (as often as work and kids will allow) and enjoy the rest of the summer until my new arrival decides to join us.
Sue & Bump
Monday, 25 April 2011
Happy Easter - Chocolate: To give or not to give?
Happy Easter Everyone!
Hasn't it been lovely to have that extra long weekend? I know a lot of mums and dads struggle with thinking of things to do with the kids when they have time off. Not me, I can't seem to do enough. I took Holls to an Easter party on Good Friday, which turned out to be a huge flop so ended up getting the paddling pool out instead. On the Saturday we went over to Manchester to see my dad and also my Grandad. we got a BBQ going and Holls had a fab time getting her Great Grandad to play chase with her up the garden. He's blind and partially deaf and she led him a merry tale all over the place but he loved it.
It was great weather all day and we all pretty much stayed outside until early evening. By the time it came for us to leave my dad said to me, " just a second, i've got Holly's easter eggs in the kitchen." He disappeared and then popped up with 7 eggs all for Holly. With a smile on his face he said," sorry love I couldn't resist." I tried to ask him to sneak them into the boot of the car before she saw but it was too late. As soon as she clocked the pile of chocolate in his arms it was dummy out, mouth open and pease mamma? Of course, taking the usual grandparent stance, my dad said that a little bit wouldn't do her any harm!! I do agree whole heartedly that things in small doses are fine, but at that time of night she would be bouncing off the walls if she had chocolate now. I decided to put up with the tantrum that was about to ensue and asked my dad to put them in the boot.
After kisses and hugs all round, I fastened up and started to head home. The tantrum did ensue and boy was it one of her best!! I tried to reason with her that she could have some tomorrow after she had eaten all her breakfast, but the need for chocolate right now had over taken her and she was having none of it. So with the radio on, and my paticence being tried we drove home. Sleep finally overtook about 20 minutes into the journey and she crashed and was out for the count for the rest of the trip. As I promised she did have some the next morning but only a little. She has that much stored in the cupboards that I think i'll still be giving it to her next Easter!!
It was, all-in-all, a really nice long weekend and now it's time for getting ready for the working week ahead (although it is only a 3 day one so not bad at all really :))
Sue xx
Hasn't it been lovely to have that extra long weekend? I know a lot of mums and dads struggle with thinking of things to do with the kids when they have time off. Not me, I can't seem to do enough. I took Holls to an Easter party on Good Friday, which turned out to be a huge flop so ended up getting the paddling pool out instead. On the Saturday we went over to Manchester to see my dad and also my Grandad. we got a BBQ going and Holls had a fab time getting her Great Grandad to play chase with her up the garden. He's blind and partially deaf and she led him a merry tale all over the place but he loved it.
It was great weather all day and we all pretty much stayed outside until early evening. By the time it came for us to leave my dad said to me, " just a second, i've got Holly's easter eggs in the kitchen." He disappeared and then popped up with 7 eggs all for Holly. With a smile on his face he said," sorry love I couldn't resist." I tried to ask him to sneak them into the boot of the car before she saw but it was too late. As soon as she clocked the pile of chocolate in his arms it was dummy out, mouth open and pease mamma? Of course, taking the usual grandparent stance, my dad said that a little bit wouldn't do her any harm!! I do agree whole heartedly that things in small doses are fine, but at that time of night she would be bouncing off the walls if she had chocolate now. I decided to put up with the tantrum that was about to ensue and asked my dad to put them in the boot.
After kisses and hugs all round, I fastened up and started to head home. The tantrum did ensue and boy was it one of her best!! I tried to reason with her that she could have some tomorrow after she had eaten all her breakfast, but the need for chocolate right now had over taken her and she was having none of it. So with the radio on, and my paticence being tried we drove home. Sleep finally overtook about 20 minutes into the journey and she crashed and was out for the count for the rest of the trip. As I promised she did have some the next morning but only a little. She has that much stored in the cupboards that I think i'll still be giving it to her next Easter!!
It was, all-in-all, a really nice long weekend and now it's time for getting ready for the working week ahead (although it is only a 3 day one so not bad at all really :))
Sue xx
Hello to all
I am one of many women out there who have a beautiful family and also hold down a full time job. Many of my lovely Mummy friends are lucky enough to be able to stay at home and be a full time mum. I'm one of those mummies that has to go out to work full time and in doing this I have experienced some very negative attitudes. My lovely daughter is nearly 2 years old and i've been a full time working mum since she was 6 months. Due to my personal circumstances I was made to go back to work when Holly was 6 months old. The first day I had to leave her was the worst day of my life. I remember, even 2 years on, how she cried as she waved me bye bye and how I was on the phone checking on her every hour. I hated my new job and wasn't interested in making any new friends, or bonding with my team, I just wanted to get home to my girl and do mummy things.
When my friends found out that i'd gone back to work it was received with very mixed opinions. I recall how one mummy friend asked if I was worried that I would lose that bond with her? Of course I was. I had carried Holly for 9 months, breast fed and been there for her night and day for the past 6 months and now all that was about to change. That comment made me feel ill inside and left me feeling like I was abonding my baby. As more of these opinions came to light I started to feel like more and more of a bad mother. It seems that many people I spoke to felt that it was the Dads place to go out and work and the womens place to stay at home and look after the baby. My, then husband, had just been made redundant and we had agreed that who ever got the job that could support the family would go to work, and that happended to be me. I would have loved nothing more in the world than to stay at home but we also needed to keep a roof over our family's heads.
I knew I had to work and so I took the attitude that I would make a success of myself and not only provide for my family but also, give my little girl a mummy that she could be proud of.
I've been in my job for nearly 2 years now and I love it. It makes me apppreciate my family more than ever and the time I do get to spend with them counts. We don't sit in front of the telly in silence, we get out and explore nature, we chat and create thngs togther. We have bath and bedtime together and that is my special time with my daughter. We chat about our days and what we have planned for the next day. She knows that when she has me, she has me and all my attention and that she is the most important thing in the world.
It's been a long slog to get the balance right, and believe me, i'm still working on it. But being a working woment doesn't make me any less of a mummy.
Sue
xxx
When my friends found out that i'd gone back to work it was received with very mixed opinions. I recall how one mummy friend asked if I was worried that I would lose that bond with her? Of course I was. I had carried Holly for 9 months, breast fed and been there for her night and day for the past 6 months and now all that was about to change. That comment made me feel ill inside and left me feeling like I was abonding my baby. As more of these opinions came to light I started to feel like more and more of a bad mother. It seems that many people I spoke to felt that it was the Dads place to go out and work and the womens place to stay at home and look after the baby. My, then husband, had just been made redundant and we had agreed that who ever got the job that could support the family would go to work, and that happended to be me. I would have loved nothing more in the world than to stay at home but we also needed to keep a roof over our family's heads.
I knew I had to work and so I took the attitude that I would make a success of myself and not only provide for my family but also, give my little girl a mummy that she could be proud of.
I've been in my job for nearly 2 years now and I love it. It makes me apppreciate my family more than ever and the time I do get to spend with them counts. We don't sit in front of the telly in silence, we get out and explore nature, we chat and create thngs togther. We have bath and bedtime together and that is my special time with my daughter. We chat about our days and what we have planned for the next day. She knows that when she has me, she has me and all my attention and that she is the most important thing in the world.
It's been a long slog to get the balance right, and believe me, i'm still working on it. But being a working woment doesn't make me any less of a mummy.
Sue
xxx
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