The Contingency Plan

Two weeks ago I went to work from Chloe's house. It was a Thursday, which meant that her beautiful little boy wasn't in day care so I brought Susi and Hugo with me. Susi was going to look after the boys and we were going to (try and) get as much work done as possible.

Our crew arrived, armed with Hugo's potty, snacks, drinks and extra toys (as other people's toys are always better than your own). We said hello to Nic, our new bookkeeper and her gorgeous five month old daughter, hi-fived our new Account Coordinator Monique and her cute 18-month old son, Ali arrived soon after with her divine two year old (who joined our boys in the back playing with trucks and trains) and we conferenced in a former colleague, Kate, to discuss a new business proposal while her eleven month old had her afternoon nap.

Some of our clients have no idea that our whole team currently consists of mothers (we don't hide it, it just doesn't come up). This hasn't been a conscious decision either. It's just the way things have turned out.

While chatting with our team on different occassions I've noticed that:

• We're all talented and ambitious women who held senior positions in reputable organisations before falling pregnant
• Despite trying, none of us could find a respectable position that would cater to our new lifestyle - only full time or occassional work was offered
• We all want a balanced lifestyle that ideally incorporates playgroup, swimming lessons and trips to the zoo alongside meetings, creative pitches and time in the office - and because of this, we get work done really effectively and efficiently
• When our kid is sick, we band as a team to get the work done. There's grace and emphathy. There's no guilt and the Client rarely knows the difference as the job gets done
• And we all make it work. Calls are conducted during nap times, writing is done at night or during naps, we're flexible for people to work from home or from the office when care can be arranged, as long as the work gets done, and manage it all via the great technology on hand - instant messager, conference calling, emailing, SMS.......

In 2004, the Australian Treasurer, Peter Costello made the memorable statement of: "If you can have children, you should have one for your husband and one for your wife and one for the country."

Yet this country doesn't really support mothers in the workforce, especially when it comes to basics like materity leave and child care. I recently spoke to a friend who was leaving full time work as a journalist to freelance from home as his wage literally paid for the child care bills.

And then there's the common mis-conception that, as a woman, your life (and career) is over once you have children. This used to annoy me to no-end when I was pregnant. Why should my life be over? If I want my life to be great after giving birth, then I will do everything in my power to make it so.

I understand the culture of traditional organisations doesn't cater to the modern 'stay-at-home career woman' yet I just don't understand why this is so. I know it takes trust, flexibility and imagination to make it work, but it's surely worth it as the current situation wastes so much talent, brains, skill and expertise.

In response to this, most of my girlfriends are becoming freelancers, commanding an hourly rate and in control of the jobs they take on and the hours they work. And it means we're attracting all these brilliant people to work with. We're pretty determined to make it work, not only to prove that we can, but also because we desperately want the best of both worlds - career AND motherhood.

I love days when all the kids are in the office. Sure they're a little more chaotic and we don't get as much 'solid' work done, but I love being able to hold Nic's young bella while brainstorming a campaign idea, playing ball with the boys inbetween tasks, comforting one child while his mother is on the phone and being able to share lunch all together. Life feels full on those days and intrinsically good.

I hope that despite the traditional workplace, more and more career-minded mums will band together like us to create a working arrangement that can tick all the boxes. And I hope we all become damn successful too.

Sounds like you have a fantastic group. You should write a book.

The situation is much the same in the States as far as working mothers. A very select group of high-ranking corporations has figured out that flexibility for mothers generates incredibly loyal employees, but the concept hasn't spread.

Wow. Your working team sounds amazing! I'd love to find that sort of situation when I re-enter the workforce. It's nice to know it is actually out there.

I agree with Junebee; you should write a book. Just this post was inspirational!

It's great to hear that I'm not the only one who thinks we have it good :)

A book is a very intruging concept... so happy to hear this was inspirational.

Oooo-may I use this in class next week? As we discuss women and work?

Certainly, go for it!! Email me if you want any further info, etc. I'm happy to be of help :)