Happy Mother’s Day

We are celebrating Mothers this month, with a focus on those of you who juggle parenthood with a busy working schedule. Everyone says that your life changes when you have a child and this is especially true with work commitments. Find out how our three lovely ladies handle being businesswomen as well as the most important person in their children’s lives

“We salute you, ladies! You are the real superheroes and, for all you Dads out there who are also the ‘Mother’ in your child’s life, keep doing what you are doing. You are an inspiration. Happy Mother’s Day from all of us at VIVA.”

Laura & Leo

Photography by Karl Colins

Laura Graham runs Vital Management and Publicity. Her son, Leo, is now four years old, and is in full-time nursery, giving Laura the chance to organise her busy schedule. That is not to say there wasn’t a natural worry when she found out she was pregnant.

“I had a photo shoot nine days after Leo was born and I was dreading it.” Fortunately for Laura, Leo wasn’t much trouble as he slept all day. Working in media and PR has its advantages, as the industry takes childcare factors into consideration in terms of availability, which has worked well for Laura.

“I struggled more than him when it came to returning to work,” says Laura, who found it hard at first to trust people being left alone with Leo.

“On the odd occasion Leo gets upset when I have to leave him but after five minutes they send me pictures or videos of him having fun,” putting Mum’s mind at rest. Occasionally, Laura picks Leo up early from nursery or they take the morning off, giving them quality time outside of their established routine.“Teatime, bath-time, story-time, cuddles and then bed.” The perfect routine for an irreplaceable bond.

What is your favourite thing about being a businesswoman?

I can plan my own diary which helps no end with Leo and I get to work with some very talented and charismatic people.

The people I work with are the most important aspect of my business – be they clients or business associates – and I still find it very rewarding to see my work in print, even after all these years in the industry.

What is your favourite thing about being a Mum?

I can’t say one specific thing, I love everything about being Leo’s Mum. If I have to highlight one aspect, it’s the moments Leo and I share on our own. When I read him stories tucked up in bed or we play a silly game and he giggles along with me. He’s really trying with his speech and language at the moment and when he says a new word without prompting or reads a short sentence I feel so happy. It’s those moments I treasure.

Collette & Luke

Photography by Karl Grieves

Collette Casey is a freelance hair and make-up artist. She and her husband have a beautiful son, Luke, who is now eight years old. Throughout Luke’s life Collette has always been conscious that there should be stability in his daily routine which, she thinks, is one of the most important things for a child. Relaxing in bed, talking about the day and discussing what is happening tomorrow ensures “no surprises for him,” making both their lives easier. Luckily, she was able to find a flexible child-minder for her son who was able to fit in well with her own advantageous freelance schedule.

“I went back to work after three months,” Collette recalls, before gradually building up her hours over the following six months to allow Luke to transition well. Although Luke was in safe hands, Collette says that she felt terrible leaving him. This is an issue with which many Mothers struggle – the bliss of having a child (although it is not all roses) and them becoming an extended part of you before having to go back to the life you lived prior to their arrival. It is often difficult to identify a routine that works for you both.

Collette praises her husband (we’re not forgetting about you, Dads!) and her parents for the help that they provide her with raising Luke.

“I couldn’t do it without them,” she says, as the nature of her job makes a routine very difficult to have. Her husband travels a lot, so their working days vary week to week but getting to experience the little things like attending concerts, awards at school and school trips, makes Collette realise how lucky she truly is.

What is your favourite thing about being a businesswoman?

I have been a make-up artist for nearly twenty years and I am so fortunate that I really love my job. I have been able to travel the world and meet amazing people. Working for myself and being in control of my own diary is wonderful – I feel I have a perfect balance between family life and work. I try my best to anyway!

What is your favourite thing about being a Mum?

Words cannot describe it. The love you have for your children just grows and grows, I never imagined it would be so amazing. I probably see him more than most full-time working parents see their children, so I am very grateful. We are a very close family. I guess the best thing about being a Mum is the whole experience.

Rebecca & Olive

Rebecca Legon, VIVA’s very own Company Director, gave birth to her baby girl, Olive Lynton, in 2015 after wanting a baby for a while.

Being self-employed had its disadvantages for the Mother of one, as she was working up until the day before her cesarean – a problem for many pregnant women. She remembers kneeling at her desk – as she couldn’t sit without sciatic pain – thinking “I must be the only pregnant person working up to the day before giving birth!” Rebecca did what she had to do and for that we applaud her.

Despite the non-existent, pre-baby maternity leave, self-employment worked well for Rebecca and Olive. Rebecca went back to working on VIVA at home when Olive was just a few weeks old so, unlike with other children, there was a gradual transition. Juggling work and time with

Olive has been almost seamless for Rebecca, which is not an easy feat. She has created a routine that gives her a sufficient amount of time to get her work done and spend quality time with her daughter.

“I think it is important to spend the time that we need together when she is home,” says Rebecca which is why she uses her time wisely. From 9am till 4pm every Monday and Thursday, Olive is at nursery which gives Rebecca the time to be able to get down to business and deal with the demands of her VIVA role without any distraction and allowing her, on other days of the week, to prioritise her most important job – being a Mum.

What is your favourite thing about being a businesswoman?

I enjoy the work that we do with VIVA. It is always exciting. It can be very stressful at times but it is great to be able to escape from being a Mummy into being a normal working person again. I am very lucky that I can dip in and out so easily.

What is your favourite thing about being a Mum?

Everything. I just love the unconditional love that you feel. You cannot describe it effectively until you are a Mum. I am very proud of Olive and everything she does from day to day – as are all Mothers, I am sure.

Here is a little bit of extra advice for you expectant Mothers and Mothers currently transitioning back into work:

• The best way to juggle effectively is to have a couple of trusted people whom you feel secure in leaving your child with if you do need to go somewhere. Also, plan your diary well.
• Try and sleep when the baby sleeps, when you are very tired, you make daft mistakes.
• It is important to ask for help. There is nothing wrong with that. Your loved ones will be happy to help out so that you can get some sleep.
• You will feel guilty when you leave your child to go back to work but try not to be too hard on yourself. You are earning a living for both of you and it improves your child’s interactive skills and confidence to mix with other children and adults.