MARIANNE HOBBS
1. Describe your job.
I am a solicitor.
2. What’s your journey to motherhood been like?
I always knew I wanted children and at 33 I had James and at 37, I had Rhodri. I had both children by c-section. I struggled to breast feed James and admitted defeat after a few days and he happily bottle fed for a few years. I had a different experience with Rhodri who seemed to take to breastfeeding much easier (maybe it was also because I was a calmer mummy) but I think it either works or it doesn’t. There is no right or wrong way to doing anything!
3. How quickly did you go back to work after your maternity leave and did / do you have any regrets?
I went back to work for both children at the age of 1. This was the right amount of time for me and I must admit, I was ready to return to have some time to use my brain again!
With James, my eldest, I was still working in a very high-pressured job with long hours and so I didn’t think the work/life balance worked very well for me.
I was lucky enough to find an in-house role a few years later before my second child Rhodri arrived which has provided me with greater flexibility to work from home. For me that had been an absolute winner! Do I miss the challenge of my high-powered job...? some days yes! Would I change it right now? Probably not!
4. What’s your most memorable child related incident as a WorkingMama?
There is never a dull moment with children and so when you have to tell your employer that your four-year-old took apart an Original Legal house Deed and coloured all over it or you were late because your baby did a poo on your work skirt, it’s actually true!
I think you almost need to establish a good working ethic before the kids come along so you can be a bit flaky for a while!
5. Which WorkingMama inspires you?
Single parents and parents of 3! Basically, any mum that manages to pursue a successful career and look after those little babas are just superheroes FACT! Us females know how to multitask!
6. What are your top tips for all WorkingMamas out there?
Do your best. Don’t beat yourself up when you feel like you’re not doing a particularly good job at either! It comes in waves and some days you will be super mum and others you will be super employee. Take it day by day. You are winning every day you get through.