Name: Joanna Randall
Age: 33
Job title: Head of PR
Industry: Public relations
Employer: McCann Erickson
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Have you always worked while you had your child?
Yes
What was the motivating factor for this?
As a single mum my circumstances have dictated that I work full time and therefore I have continued my career while also being a mum. I didn’t really have any alternative options, working part time would not pay the bills and I wouldn’t really be able to do my job on a part time basis. This would have meant a change in job role and therefore downsizing my house and life considerably just to be able to afford to pay the mortgage. I felt it was the best option to continue my career as that would mean I could maximise my income and therefore pay for childcare without any additional help, as it’s rare that I ever get any maintenance from my daughter’s father.
What are the best bits about staying in work while you have raised your child?
Even if I didn’t feel I had to stay in work for financial reasons I think I have realised that, given the choice, I would have continued to work anyway. I think being a working mum, for me, gives me some independence. It means my life does not revolve around being ‘mummy’ all the time – many people I know are like this and don’t have a lot to talk about other than their children. I have my own interests, my own life which my daughter is very much a part of, and I hope in the long run I will be a good role model for my daughter in how to live independently, and maintain a fulfilling and rewarding career.
If you could have your time again would you make a different choice?
I think I would take longer off before returning to work after my daughter was born. I went back to work full time when my daughter was five months old. If I’d had the choice it might have been nice to have a few more months with her.
Has working and raising a family been challenging? If so how?
Oh yes! Every day is a challenge – I am one of the busiest people I know! Sometimes, just getting out of the house is a mission and by the time I get to work I sometimes feel like I have already done a full day’s work!
Also, it feels like you have two full-time jobs, as things don’t stop when you get home, juggling everything is a daily chore. I read recently that women in their 30s are the most stressed group of people in our society, due to work and raising young children, and I can believe that! I try to spend as much time with my aughter as possible and get home to put her to bed every night, then start work again after she’s asleep if I need to. I try to keep weekends sacred and for family time. The biggest challenge is trying to provide secure, consistent care and a stimulating environment for my daughter to ensure she has a happy childhood. I don’t want her to feel she’s missed out on anything because she’s had a working mum – therefore the pressure can sometimes be enormous.
What is available to mothers now that you wish you had access to when your family was young?
My daughter is five years old now and has only just started school. The thing I found difficult, and still do sometimes, is that there doesn’t seem to be much support for full-time working mothers, we’re often frowned upon and there is so much guilt heaped on us from mothers who stay at home and fathers who you may meet in business whose wives are at home.
Having a network of likeminded mothers with similar circumstances – not just those working part time but those who are actually maintaining a high-flying career is something that could be useful. I have met a few through work, clients etc., but I think even today we are few and far between!
I don’t feel there’s enough help and guidance on what possible benefits might be available and what you can do to ease the financial burden. Even if you earn a good salary paying for everything on your own can be tough. So, understanding salary sacrifice schemes and tax breaks and having more easy access information would be helpful.
How have you managed to stay on top of your career with the demands of motherhood?
Some luck, lots of hard work, trying to plan ahead and make sure things like childcare are in place and that I have back-up plans in case things change so that I don’t have to use the fact that I have to leave work and dash home for childcare reasons. I try never to use my daughter as an excuse when I can’t fulfil a work commitment as I don’t think that gives working mothers a good name. Of course, there are exceptions like when they’re ill – that has to come before everything else. Working for and with people who understand your circumstances and can be sympathetic to your lifestyle is very important.
Most working mums are probably more productive than many people as they have to get a certain amount of work done in a shorter time and will still be measured in the same way as their peers.
What has been the high point along the way?
Having a wonderful daughter to share my life with and go home to. This gives me a reason to carry on achieving at work.
Work high points: being a managing director of a PR agency at 28 when my daughter was one years old; starting up a PR division for an ad agency from scratch and taking it into profit in the first year and currently running a PR division in a UK office, part of a worldwide communications agency.
What has been your worst experience along the way?
Juggling is sometimes very hard. Not having anyone to share the problems of being a single working mum with. As a single mum it’s tough to not have someone else to lean on. I now work with people who I feel respect and support me and understand the life pressure I am sometimes under, but this hasn’t always been the case in other companies.
Any tips for expectant mums, or mothers who feel that you can’t have a successful career and a happy family life at the same time?
You can have it, but the hard work should not be underestimated. My best tip is not to be too hard on yourself – we are our own worst enemies and should cut ourselves some slack and congratulate ourselves for the positives!