Do you think it’s possible to achieve a successful work/life balance? Is there really such a thing as a “balance”? Isn’t it more about happiness and expectations and finding a peace within yourself and the world around you so that whatever you are doing works for you and your family?
I have been thinking a lot about this of late during my long train journeys into work every day because now that I am suddenly working full time my balance has shifted to all “work” and no “life”, but I’m loving it and it feels as if it’s the right time to make that shift, so suddenly the “life” bit begins to shift into the work bit. I am even enjoying the commute!!
The trick is to try and find a way to make it all as easy as possible. I don’t have a partner at home to pick up the pieces on a full time basis so I have come up with a spectacular plan that so far seems to be working very well. Because I don’t want my children to have to forage for food in the outside bins (which they complain they have to do usually even when I’m at home) a lovely friend of mine, who has recently separated from her husband has agreed to a mutually satisfactory business arrangement. She has four children and a job, but she finishes before me so I have employed her to bring her children to my house, cook for them all and encourage them to get their homework done all together. Then she leaves around 7pm and when I get back my children are fed and watered and happy.
I texted her on the way back from work yesterday, “sorry, trains and buses not working, don’t stay, I’ll be back as soon as I can” and she texted back “OK – all done – everybody happy – they had chicken in white sauce, but cottage pie in oven for you. Hope you had a lovely day xxx”
My reply was simply “I love you”.
Wow. Now I know what I did wrong in my marriage – I was never destined to be a Domestic Goddess – I would have been more likely to be threatening to put either my head or our children in the oven rather than a cottage pie if he was late home from work.
I am loving our cosy little commune existence – this might be the way forward for single working parents everywhere. My friend thinks we should get married.
I think she might be right.
As long as we don’t have to have sex.
In fact, it’s fine because we’re old enough to have separate bedrooms now. Although if that was the case we would need a nine bedroom house to accommodate the two of us and all our children, so perhaps not, for now. Not until I’ve worked for a few more years and made enough money to buy us all a HUGE house.
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14 Comments
sounds ideal!!!! wonderful…yes. a Brady Bunch but sans annoying husbands…perfect! and so happy to hear that you are loving your working life. that’s great lulu. lotslove x j
Yes dysfunctional Brady Bunch. Very good Lx
I’ve often thought I could do with a wife; someone to collect daughter from school, take her home, feed her and supervise her homework, then I could stay at work instead of bringing it home to do after she’s gone to bed. You’ve got it sorted!
YES you do need a “wife” – makes life SOOOOO much easier Lx
Women living in commune are much more compatible than men and women. Wives do, men do as little as they think they can get away with and don’t think ahead. Men, to be quite frank, are crap at home and child care ( I know there is the odd one that can but I reckon they have a gene mutation). Even with a male partner the full time working mum still carries the can and final responsibility. She’s still the one that notices the washing basket is full and the fridge is empty. She is the one that drops everything to dive home to the sick child etc. I have always worked full time. I can juggle like a circus clown!
Blimey you must be able to – would love to hear from some men at this stage! Lx
Having my dinner made for me is possibly my most favouritest thing ever, utter bliss xx
I know – me too Lx
Am not convinced that work life balance can exist on a daily basis – yes over time it can be fairly balanced but that can means days when you have to focus on one rather than both
I think I want a friend like yours – much better trained than either my nanny or husband – we need more communes!
Bring on the communes! who wants to join in?? Lx
Bravo on the arrangement! Sounds like a fairy tale.
Thank you – long may it last! Lx
Can she cook for me too? Xx
I’ll ask her Lx