Working Mumma

Navigating & managing pregnancy loss with Amanda Bowles, Bears of Hope

This podcast episode I speak with Amanda Bowles, co-founder of Bears of Hope.
Trigger warning - this episode discusses pregnancy loss and may bring up emotions. If you need to speak with someone, please reach out to Bears of Hope, COPE or Beyond Blue.
The focus of the episode is navigating and managing pregnancy loss as well as how support people can best help the bereaved family. If you are the 1 in 4 women that have experienced pregnancy loss or know someone who has and wants to understand a little more what they are feeling and how you can help, this episode is for you. This is a very personal episode for me as my husband and I experienced pregnancy loss in February 2020 when we were told at our 13 week scan our unborn child had a rare medical abnormality and we made the hardest decision to terminate the pregnancy for medical reasons. During this experience, I was sent a bear by my mother's group from Bears of Hope and this introduced me to this supportive organisation and Facebook groups to support families that have experienced pregnancy and infant loss. It continues to be my safe zone with people that have been through similar experiences. The episode covers two central themes - the first for people that have experienced loss and the second for friends & family and how they can actively support the bereaved family. During this podcast we cover: * Emotions associated with grief and loss of a child * Discuss the question "why us" * Subsequent (rainbow) pregnancies, the emotions associated and tips on how to manage this * Connection with a child you were unable to meet * Managing grief between partners * Seeking help is a strength not a weakness * Advice for support networks on how they can actively help * Tips on how support networks can help * Advice on what to say to people that have experienced loss * Discuss the magical "12 week" milestone of a pregnancy to let people know you are pregnant I recorded this episode with two intentions. The first for families that have experienced loss know that you aren't alone, and secondly to help the support network learn how they can actively help a friend or family member. I hope this episode helps you in some way. Please reach out to Bears of Hope to discover more about this supportive organisation and the resources and support they have available. If you know someone that has experienced loss I encourage you to purchase a Bear of Hope.

Resume tips & advice to be a standout candidate with Ashlee Thomas

In a competitive job market, having a standout job application is critical. For this week's podcast I'm excited to be joined by resume and career coach, Ashlee Thomas.
She is a busy working mum of 2 boys and runs her own successful business focused on helping women find their next role in a flexible environment.
Given the market and economy we currently live in with over 1 million Australians out of work, and it was already challenging for working mums to find a job that fit their career and lifestyle goals, this chat with Ashlee has so many hints, tips and advice for people wanting to stand out from other candidates.
During this podcast we cover:
•Ashlee's career & parenthood journey so far
•What to and what not to include in a resume
•How long a resume should be
•Importance of having an active and current LinkedIn profile
•Advice on re-entering the workforce after a period of time on parental leave
•New skills mothers have gained since becoming a mum and the value of these to the workplace
•Overcoming confidence and going for the role even when you believe you don't have all the skills on the position description
•Changing careers and focus after becoming a mum
•Importance of seeking out your ideal organisations to work for
•Interview advice and how to form engagement with the interview panel
•Why you should be interviewing the organisation as much as they are interviewing you to ensure it is a good fit
Continue the conversation and join the Working Mumma Community, connect with me on Instagram @workingmummacommunity or follow Working Mumma on LinkedIn.
Connect with Ashlee via her website, LinkedIn and Facebook.
Check out the free 10 Strategies to Managing the Juggle to help you navigate work, family & you time. I'll be launching a mini course later this year on Returning to Work that will support you through this process in much greater detail. Click here to register.

10 steps to help you confidently return to work after maternity leave

In today's podcast, I take you through 10 steps to help you prepare for your upcoming return to work so you will feel confident and ready to manage the juggle of career and family. Returning to work can be challenging. The person you were at work pre-baby is a little (or possibly a lot) different to the current version of you. The you that's returning to work has an additional role title and along with the amazing perk of unconditional love, comes a seemingly endless list of new role responsibilities! As you consider your return to work you may find that you have a new way of thinking. Babies impact our lives in sooo many ways, beyond what we may have ever expected. You've been looking after this new little human who is entirely dependent on you. Just as parental leave was a huge adjustment, returning to work is another major adjustment in the journey. With this, comes a whole new range of challenges, so it helps to be mentally prepared for this as possible. Before getting started, if you have the opportunity, grab a pen & paper as I've got lots of little gems throughout this podcast and if it's possible find a quiet space free from interruptions so that you can focus on you. This episode is supported by a free e-Book "10 steps to help you transition from parental leave to pay day" . I'll also be launching a mini course later this year on Returning to Work that will support you through this process in much greater detail. Click here to register. Before we get into it, I will also say that everyone has a different journey and experience of returning to work, just like parenthood. I know it might not all be a smooth transition and I know this from first hand experience. But, hopefully this podcast helps you prepare mentally, emotionally, physically and with your employer to make it as smooth as possible.
Continue the conversation and connect with me on Instagram @workingmummacommunity or follow Working Mumma on LinkedIn.

Juggling family & career with Dr. Sarah Gleeson

Today I speak with Dr. Sarah Gleeson, based in Goondiwindi Queensland with her husband & three boys aged 3.5, 5 and 6.5. Sarah works at the Goondiwindi Medical Centre as a GP, at the Boggabilla Community Health Clinic & at the Goondiwindi Hospital in the Emergency & Obstetrics departments. She also teaches medical students at The University of Queensland Rural Clinical School.
After several busy years both personally & professionally, Sarah had decided that 2019 was going to be her year of saying 'no' to new projects. But when her sister Liz approached her with the idea for Family HQ, she said yes without hesitation and over the next 14 months has worked with Liz to develop the ultimate health management app for busy families.
During this episode we discuss:
•Sarah's career pathway to where she is today
•How she juggles a busy life as a doctor and being a mum to 3 boys
•Tips and advice for sharing the mental load with her husband
•How people have paved the way before her to have flexible work arrangements and supportive workplace culture
•Discuss the myth 'does childcare help build up a child's immunity?'
•When to send your kids to childcare/school vs keep them at home if sick
•Medicine options for children and when to use ibuprofen vs paracetamol
•Recording medicine dosage and why you should do this (especially with more than 1 child)
•Why paracetamol is the leading cause of Liver failure for children in developed countries
•Talk about Sarah's solution to help parents with administering and recording medicine - FamilyHQ
Key piece of advice - use a single brand & single strength for consistency - so you know every time you pull out the medicine that you know what dose you should have.
About FamilyHQ
Family HQ is an all-in-one solution for families to give parents peace of mind when they need it most. It has been designed by a nurse and a doctor who are mums to 5 boys.
It's a cloud-based app that enables 2 parents/carers to accurately record and securely share relevant, real-time information about their child's health and medication dosage/timing.
Continue the conversation and join the Working Mumma Community, connect with me on Instagram @workingmummacommunity or follow Working Mumma on LinkedIn.
Connect with Sarah via the FamilyHQ website, Instagram @dr_sarah_gleeson
or trial the FamilyHQ app.
Check out the free 10 Strategies to Managing the Juggle to help you navigate work, family & you time.

12 tips to help you prepare for maternity leave

I know when I was about to go on maternity leave I was a mix of emotions. I was looking for ideas, hints, and tips on how to prepare both emotionally as well as physically for maternity leave. Needless to say, I made it up as I went. 
I hope this episode with 12 tips to help you prepare for maternity leave helps you as I wish I had been given these tips before I went on leave. Going on maternity leave is an emotional time. You have worked for several years, it has been a big part of your life working 40+ hours, 5 days a week, and consuming much of your time. The prospect of maternity leave you will be stepping away for a period of time and handing over your work to another person can be difficult, you aren't alone if you are having trouble letting go. This period allows you time to reflect on your career so far and what you have enjoyed and achieved so far. It also allows you time to consider the new challenge of motherhood and your role as a parent. If you are a first-time parent, there are many unknowns and the feeling of trepidation - this is entirely normal. Having some time to stop and reflect on your maternity leave and how you would like it to work, will help both you and your employer so you can manage the leave period. It also allows you to process how you are feeling and if any areas are causing you anxiety, speaking to someone before the birth would be recommended. Enjoy this episode and best of luck with your upcoming birth and maternity leave. 
Continue the conversation and join the Working Mumma Village, connect with me on Instagram @workingmummacommunity or follow Working Mumma on LinkedIn. 

Managing anxiety with Sarah Purvey

Today I speak with Sarah Purvey, a Clinical Psychologist, practice owner of Eastern Shore Psychology, author of Keep Sane and Parent On, Positive Birth Program Facilitator and mother to a 6 yo and 4yo girls.
We recorded this podcast in early July 2020 prior to the current outbreak of covid-19 in Melbourne. It is very timely and has many hints and tips for people that might be experiencing anxiety during this time. If this episode is a trigger for you, please reach out to Beyond Blue, COPE, a psychologist or your GP to assist. As you will hear it is a strength to seek help and not a weakness.
During this episode Sarah and I discuss:
•Sarah's family set up with her husband as a stay at home dad
•Defining anxiety
•What can we do if we recognise if we are experiencing anxiety - self helps and seeking help strategies are discussed
•Managing anxiety during Covid-19
•Sharing the mental load between couples and how important this is especially for new parents and ongoing when raising children
•Striving for being a "good enough" parent rather than perfect
•Managing mum guilt when returning to work after maternity leave
•Managing expectations of new mum during parenting journey
There is a lot covered in this episode and I hope you enjoy everything we cover.
If you are in Melbourne this episode might be of extra interest given the current stage 4 lockdown measures. I'm in this with you and hope you and your family stay safe.
Continue the conversation and join the Working Mumma Community, connect with me on Instagram @workingmummacommunity or follow Working Mumma on LinkedIn.
Connect with Sarah via her website, Instagram @sarahpurveypsychologist or her book "Keep Sane and Parent On"
Check out the free 10 Strategies to Managing the Juggle to help you navigate work, family & you time.
Until next time, have a great week.

Why you should focus on developing your strengths to help build your confidence with Anne Koopmann

Today I speak with Anne Koopmann, a leadership coach, who works with individuals and organizations to empower courageous leaders, and fellow working mum.
A big take away for me from this episode is the need to focus on and "leaning into" your strengths. We all can't be great at everything and we need to unlearn what we are taught about focusing on our weaknesses and instead focus on what we are good at because as working mums we often don't do this enough and we gain so much confidence from developing our strengths.
During this podcast we talk about:
•Resilience and confidence
•Taking ownership of your own life and to realize that what you do is your choice
•Why we should focus on our strengths and less on our weaknesses (even though we have been taught to do the opposite)
•Why knowing your strengths can improve your confidence
•Telling ourselves that we can't all be great at everything and it is normal to have weaknesses but not to focus too much on these and instead embrace your strengths
•The 7 c's in the resilience toolbox
•Tips and strategies for recognising your strengths
•Working on your inner self and improving your self awareness
•Knowing and understanding your circle of control
Continue the conversation and join the Working Mumma Community, connect with me on Instagram @workingmummacommunity or follow Working Mumma on LinkedIn.
Connect with Anne via her website, on LinkedIn on Instagram @annekoopmann_leadlikeyou
Check out the free 10 Strategies to Managing the Juggle to help you navigate work, family & you time.
Until next time, have a great week.

Helping define what work/life balance means for you

What does work/life balance mean to you? Some call it balance, some integration, others harmony, but with a similar meaning.
In today's episode I don't give you the magic wand of what balance is as I don't believe there isn't one. But, I would like to give you tools and strategies to help you determine what your balance is, what does your dream day of work/life integration mean to you and how you can work towards achieving this. Importantly we talk about defining what works for you mumma and your family.
I think some form of balance and integration is the north star of every working parent, to have balance between work and life. Everyone has a different story and approach, so my aim for this episode is not tell you what balance/integration/harmony looks like, but to help you define what it means for you and your family. We only have one life so we might as well make it the best one we can.
Continue the conversation and join the Working Mumma Community, connect with me on Instagram @workingmummacommunity or follow Working Mumma on LinkedIn.
Check out the free 10 Strategies to Managing the Juggle to help you navigate work, family & you time.
Until next time, have a great week.

How to create time & be more productive with Tash Guthrie

Today I speak with Tash Guthrie, founder of The Time Creator, and fellow working mum.
Tash is a productivity mentor, and the visionary behind The Time Creator planner, podcast, community (and soon-to-be membership). She believes that everyone has the power within them to live the life they truly desire, free of overwhelm, burden and stress. Tash helps busy, time-poor women to take control of their day by improving their productivity and time management skills to ultimately create more time for the people and things they love most.
During this episode we talk about:
•Transition from 0 to 1 children and the expectations we put on ourselves as new mothers
•How planning helps us identify what is important and to shape our lives around this
•Where you can start in the planning process, even if you think you don't have the time to focus on planning
•We discuss mindset change to time management and productivity
•Positive impact of Covid-19 in allowing us to re-evaluate our lives and look at what is important
•Be/Do/Have concept
•What you can plan - the options are endless
•Tips on how to gain more time and harmony in your life
•Five pillars to work life harmony
•Three tips to work life harmony
•Knowing your primary and secondary hats
There are so many great tips and advice from this episode with Tash.
Continue the conversation and join the Working Mumma Community, connect with me on Instagram @workingmummacommunity or follow Working Mumma on LinkedIn.
Connect with Tash her website or on Instagram @Tash_Guthrie
Check out the free 10 Strategies to Managing the Juggle to help you navigate work, family & you time.
Until next time, have a great week.

10 Strategies to Managing the Juggle

In this episode I discuss 10 strategies you can implement straight away to help you in managing the juggle of career, family and life.
The strategies are curated from advice given by fellow working mothers when they have kindly shared their stories of managing a career, family and life. Read the stories.
Let's get into the ten strategies to allow you to feel more confident in managing the juggle of career, motherhood and life.
Check out the free resource to support this episode - Download 10 Strategies to Managing the Juggle.
I profile a working mum each week and tell her story of her parenting journey so far. Share your story today.
Continue the conversation and join the free Working Mumma Community, connect with me on Instagram @workingmummacommunity or follow Working Mumma on LinkedIn.