Working Mumma

Sharing the four common themes from the first 50 episodes of the Working Mumma podcast

In today's episode, I am celebrating the 50th episode of the Working Mumma Podcast! Yes, crack the champagne mumma!
I little thought bubble I had almost 2 years ago turned into reality in January 2020! It’s been an amazing experience of learning, engaging, and growing through this platform. I have spoken to amazing people and enjoyed every single discussion I’ve had on the podcast.
Throughout all the episodes I've recorded there are 4 key themes that come up regularly. So, I thought for the 50th episode I’d share these 4 themes with you.
As a birthday present to you, I’ve created a new resource “3 steps to sharing the mental load”. Mums have taken on more of the load over the past 18 months with lockdowns, homeschooling & the rollercoaster of emotions. This resource includes an audit checklist for you & your partner to complete and review who is doing what, end may highlight the amount you are currently doing and things may need to be a little more balanced going forward. It’s available to download now.
Doors will open in a few weeks to the Working Mumma Village - be sure to put your name on the waitlist. Click here.
A big thank you again for your support, engagement & involvement with Working Mumma and the podcast. My dreams are big to support working mums be able to thrive in motherhood & career.
Connect with me
* Instagram: @workingmummacommunity
* Facebook: @workingmummaAU
* Website: www.workingmumma.com.au
* LinkedIn - Working Mumma or Carina O'Brien

What you need to know about Keeping in Touch days

During a recent discussion in the Working Mumma Community, the topic of Keeping in Touch days was raised. A number of people weren’t aware of them or found out about Keeping In Touch days after their maternity leave. These are not new and are something that has been around for a number of years.
So, I thought I’d put together this episode for you to give you more details and information on Keeping in Touch days.
During this episode I cover:
* What are Keeping in Touch days?
* Who is entitled to Keeping in Touch days
* How can they be used?
* Examples and ideas of how to use Keeping in Touch days
* Tips for setting up KIT with your employer
Keeping in Touch days is a great way to get a small top-up of funds whilst you are on maternity leave, allow you to have a smooth transition back to work after maternity leave, and remain connected with your employer.
Useful links for more information
Fairwork Australia and Service Australia
Connect with Working Mumma
* Instagram: @workingmummacommunity
* Facebook: @workingmummaAU
* Website: www.workingmumma.com.au
* LinkedIn - Working Mumma or Carina O'Brien
* Join the waitlist for the Working Mumma Village - https://bit.ly/3C66Lrb

How to maintain your identity in motherhood with Angela Henderson

Do you feel you have lost some of your identity since becoming a mum? Mums often feel that they give 120% of themselves, and it can be hard to remember why you are doing what you are doing and maintain a sense of yourself.
In this episode, I speak with award-winning business coach for women, Angela Henderson. We talk about maintaining your identity as a working mum and doing what lights you up and brings you joy. Angela is the mum of 2, and has started two successful businesses from scratch all whilst maintaining true to herself on knowing her why.
In this episode we cover a lot:
* How you can be a mum AND run a successful business
* Hear why kids are not 100% of Angela's 'why'
* Learn about Angela's business journey and how she has built her businesses
* Importance of managing your mindset and overcoming imposter syndrome
* Why you should do what lights you up and brings you joy
* Helpful tips and advice if you are thinking of starting your own business
* Discover Angela's secrets for success
I like this quote from Angela during the chat "make choice, take responsibility, keep rocking and rolling”. This was a great and insightful chat with Angela, no wonder she has been so successful in business.
Connect with Angela Henderson
Angela Henderson is an international award-winning business coach for women who helps women in business get all the pieces in place to have consistent 5 figure months and then onto 6/7 figure years without burning out in the process, through her group business coaching or her Mastermind for women.
Website: www.angelahenderson.com.au
The Business and Life Conversations Podcast: Podcast
Facebook Page: @angelahendersonconsulting
Instagram: @angelahendersonconsulting
Linkedin: Angela Henderson Consulting
Connect with me
* Instagram: @workingmummacommunity
* Facebook: @workingmummaAU
* Website: www.workingmumma.com.au
* LinkedIn - Working Mumma or Carina O'Brien

How to create a wardrobe that makes you feel confident with stylist Kamri Hill

Do you look at your wardrobe looking for inspiration? Has your body changed after having kids? Are you wanting to feel more confident again both inside and out?
This week I chat with mum of 3 and personal stylist, Kamri Hill, owner of Kamri Hill Styling. As a fellow working mum, she understands how our body shape, confidence, and personal style change after children and has a passion to help women feel confident inside and out.
If you are looking for tips and advice on creating your "mum" wardrobe, this episode is for you.
During this episode we chat about:
* Role clothes play in our lives and relate to our confidence
* Why taking the time to plan your wardrobe is an element of self-care and saves you time each day
* How to identify your post-pregnancy/children wardrobe
* How to make the "mummy uniform" suit your lifestyle
* Why every wardrobe needs key basic items
* How to combine a work and mum life wardrobe
Kamri reminds us that our bodies change with children – it isn’t the same post children and that’s ok. “Your wardrobe and closet should be a place of happiness. Everyday we start the day in the wardrobe and it should be a place of joy”.
Kamri is running a 3 day Body Confident Style Challenge starting early August - join today.
It would be greatly appreciated if you could give the Working Mumma podcast a rating and leave a review.
Connect with Kamri
* Instagram: @kamrihillstyling
* Facebook: @kamrihillstyling
* Website: kamrihill.com
Connect with me
* Instagram: @workingmummacommunity
* Facebook: @workingmummaAU
* Website: workingmumma.com.au
* LinkedIn - Working Mumma or Carina O'Brien

Navigating pregnancy loss & infertility with Dr. Monica Rajasagaram

Sadly the topic of pregnancy loss and infertility is something 1 in 4 women face. But, we don't openly talk about it, and it's our own secret that we feel ashamed to share with others.
My guest today is Dr. Monica Rajasagaram, a medical practitioner, writer, published author, and a life & growth coach for women and young girls.
Dr. Monica Rajasagaram talks openly about her experience of secondary infertility with 5 miscarriages in 3 years. She shares how she navigated pregnancy loss whilst being a mum, wife, and having a successful career. Monica is open and honest in recounting her experience and what she learned along the way that can help other women. As Monica comments, the delivery of bad news & information relating to pregnancy can shape how you manage and deal with the news. Being a doctor herself, receiving the news regarding her pregnancies didn't make it any easier.
We both talk about our experiences of pregnancy loss and reflect that loss needs to be more widely spoken about. This is especially so for women that are trying to fall pregnant and they need to be aware of how common it sadly is and there is help available.
As Monica explains “A loss is a loss, it doesn’t matter if it is your first or third baby. A pregnancy loss is still a pregnancy loss.”
If you have experienced pregnancy loss or know someone that has, this episode will remind you that you aren't alone. Everyone grieves differently has their own journey and that is ok.
If you need to speak with someone, please reach out to Bears of Hope, COPE, or Beyond Blue.
Connect with Monica
* Instagram: @monica.d.r
* Facebook: @drmonicadr
Connect with me
* Instagram: @workingmummacommunity
* Facebook: @workingmummaAU
* Website: workingmumma.com.au
* LinkedIn - Working Mumma or Carina O'Brien

Setting boundaries to help work/life balance

As working mums, we put so much pressure on ourselves and the mum guilt is real. We are trying to be everything to everyone, but often not achieving what we set out to do.
Good news – it doesn’t have to be this way.
It starts with defining what is important to you and setting boundaries around this and being confident with the boundaries you have set. As I discuss in the latest episode of the Working Mumma podcast, it is ok to say no.
What this episode covers:
* Why having boundaries are important
* What can we set boundaries for
* How can we define boundaries in our lives
* Importance of knowing your "why" in helping define boundaries
* Hints & tips to help create and implement boundaries in your life
I love this Brene Brown quote relating to boundaries “daring to set boundaries, is about having the courage to love ourselves even when we risk disappointing others”
Having boundaries helps working mums manage the many different hats we need to wear.
There is also a special announcement within this episode - you have to listen to hear what exciting news we have coming up at Working Mumma.
Continue the conversation with join the free Working Mumma Community on Facebook, connect on Instagram @workingmummacommunity or follow Working Mumma on LinkedIn. I'd love for you to leave a review and rating as well.

Keeping your relationship strong after children with Sheena Schuy

Relationships often take a back seat once we have children. Our time and priorities are focused on our kids, but as I discuss with Sheena Schuy in this week's episode, it is important to make time for "couple-care".
Sheena explains, there is so much focus on the birth plan, having a child, and preparing for a baby, many people forget about the person that helped you become a mum in the first place. The relationship between the partners came first and we can't forget this. It is what the family is built on, and a strong foundation between both parents is important to a happy and healthy family unit.
During this episode we discuss:
* How you can prepare your relationship to transition from a couple to parents (even if you already have children)
* Understanding each other's goals and the importance of supporting each other to achieve these
* Sharing the mental load in the relationship
* Discuss the concept of "United parenting"
* Tips and strategies on how to remain connected with your partner
* Knowing and understanding your partners "love language"
* Actionable steps to having a common approach to parenting with your partner
* How to improve your relationship with your partner
* Why you need more fun & rest in your relationship
I like this quote from Sheena during the episode “it’s so easy to lose yourself in parenting – both losing yourself and losing your relationship”.
We need to continuously focus on our relationship during the season of parenting to ensure we remain connected. Sheena gives great actionable tips and strategies that you can implement straight after listening with your partner.
Connect with Sheena on Instagram @savasanacollective or go to her website and access all the free resources as mentioned in the episode.
Continue the conversation with me and join the free Working Mumma Community on Facebook, connect on Instagram @workingmummacommunity or follow Working Mumma on LinkedIn. I'd love for you to leave a review and rating as well.

Tips for pumping at work

Let's talk about breastfeeding and pumping at work.
At the end of 2020, I put out a survey to working mums seeking their experiences as working parents across the stages of going on maternity leave, returning to work, and managing the juggle. The results are very interesting and I'll release the report shortly.
One topic that regularly came up was the lack of support employers gave in regards to breastfeeding and expressing at work. Many women reported that they weren't supported or provided a reasonable space which is against the law.
The decision to express at work is an entirely personal decision.
During this episode I share with you:
* Personal experience of pumping after I returned to work
* Tips for pumping after you return to work from maternity leave
* Go through 5 facts to support you in conversations with your employer regarding your wish to pump
As a working mum, I know how stressful it can be returning to work both for you and your child. Remember fed is best.
Continue the conversation and join the free Working Mumma Community on Facebook, connect on Instagram @workingmummacommunity or follow Working Mumma on LinkedIn.

Productivity tips for working mums with Hollie Barac

Time is important for everyone, especially working mums managing the juggle of career, motherhood, and self-care. Every working mum wishes they could find extra hours in the day to cross off their ever-extending to-do list. In this episode of the Working Mumma podcast, I speak with the Productivity coach and your ultimate wing woman, Hollie Barac.
During the episode, Hollie gives actionable tips, strategies, and advice on how you can be most productive and can implement these today. As Hollie explains “working mums have an innate ability to plan even if we aren’t natural planners”.
Hollie shares that productivity is not working 100 hours, it’s not being a slave to your desk. Productivity is making the best use of your time, whatever that may be. This will be different for everyone as some people are most productive in the morning, whilst others are at night. Hollie shares her experience of extreme burnout during 2020 after not taking her own advice and how she is now listening to her mind & body.
This conversation with Hollie changed my perception and thinking towards productivity. Rather than looking outward, it involves looking inward and doing what is best for you at the time.
Connect with Hollie on Instagram @holliebarac or go to her website.
Continue the conversation and join the free Working Mumma Community on Facebook, connect on Instagram @workingmummacommunity or follow Working Mumma on LinkedIn.

5 tips for sharing the mental load

Feel like you are doing everything for everyone in your family and not getting much help?
Mum's take on more of the mental/emotional load. We remember the school activities, birthdays, and what food we have run out of. No wonder we feel like we have a million things going on at any one time, it's because we do.
BUT we don't have to carry the load on our own. It can be shared with your partner or tribe around you.
In this episode I share 5 ideas for sharing the mental load.
Link to the New York Times article "Why Women Do the Household Worrying".
Continue the conversation with the Working Mumma Community
Continue the conversation and join the free Working Mumma Community on Facebook, connect with on Instagram @workingmummacommunity or follow Working Mumma on LinkedIn.