The Working Holiday
23/09/2010, Author: Carol Arnese
There is something quite different about the mentality of a part-time working mum. As my full time colleagues enter the office on a Thursday morning, bleary eyed and exhausted from the week that’s been, in I bound to work bright-eyed and bushy-tailed ready for my week to begin! I positively look forward to my two days in an office environment full of adult conversation, far away from CBeebies blaring in the background and using my computer for work rather than the weekly Sainsbury’s shop. Here my name is Carol – and not "Mum" yelled at me from somewhere!
Don’t get me wrong – I’m not unhappy with my life. I love my little family dearly, but ask any mum who has worked full time before the little people came along and you will find many who relish those few days away from the monotony of housework, the naughty corner, parks and school runs. Work – and yes I’m actually going to say this – is a TREAT! A break! A snapshot of what other adults do every day! A chance for me to be me.
I’m excited that the 45 minute car journey to work will go quickly and smoothly, even amidst rush hour traffic. There will be no dangerously trying to separate the squabbles in the back seat with one hand on the wheel and the other grabbing the offending Barbie doll, or having to listen to the Old Macdonald CD on repeat. I know I will arrive at my destination perfectly groomed, snot stain free and serene!
And I know that lunch time will be a peaceful affair. I can have lunch at any time, eat anywhere and anything I like, uninterrupted. I wont have to think about children’s menus, buggy space or scoffing my food down quickly before the little people kick off and make me look like a fumbling numpty as I struggle to get them out of people's way. My lunch break will be ‘ME’ time!
Of course, the work relationship is key. My colleagues are very supportive and the Criterion directors are great at making sure I’m part of the team. We work closely together and arrange a system that gives me the opportunity to get involved with the interesting bits – such as organising materials for the courses we run and updating our fantastic online psychometric system COAST. Even the mundane tasks become a sheer joy (err no – I’m not joking!!!). I’m very lucky!
And alas, when Friday comes along and the rest of the team are buzzing about the weekend ahead, I’ve been away from the madhouse long enough to miss it and can’t wait to get home and be mummy again. It is hard to strike the work/life balance just right but for me I reckon I’m there. I’m no Harriet Harman – I’ll grant you that….but for two days (and only those two days), I can’t wait to be just Carol Arnese.
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