C4K: When did you go back to work after having your children?

KL: Ooops I forgot to stop work? Running my own business meant that I worked right through with both children (not something I would necessarily recommend to others). The benefit for me was that I worked primarily from home so was always around for the kids during the day and then would usually work throughout the day at sleep times and then late into the night as needed. This year, I returned to the full time workforce in an office environment following the sale of the Essential Baby website and can safely say that I am finding juggling kids with full time work pretty challenging.

C4K: What were your main motivations to return to work?

KL: When my girls were born there wasn’t any option other than for me to keep working. The nature of operating a small business is that you just keep going and try not to think too much about how nice it would be to have some time out. The motivation for returning to full time work at Fairfax this year was a different matter - it has been important for me to come into Fairfax with the business to ensure its smooth integration.

C4K: What was the hardest thing about returning to work?

KL: Working from home was challenging in lots of ways because it is so hard to “switch off”. The advantage of being at home though is that I was always around if the kids needed me. Now that I am in an office 5 days per week – I really miss having that contact with the kids throughout the day (though I must admit I am able to get through a lot more work now that Coco is not constantly “helping” me!

C4K: Who looks after the the children when you work?

KL: We have a nanny 2 days per week and Coco attends day care 2 days per week. The 5th day we juggle between the nanny, my husband and I depending on who is available.

C4K: How did you find your child care?

KL: Our current day care was always very highly recommended by all of the mums I met in the area, so I rang the centre and basically harassed them (as nicely as I could, of course) until they found me a place for Lily. I am so pleased I did as I just love the centre and the staff and both girls have always been really happy there. When it was time for Coco to start day care (at 2 years old) they found her a place straight away which was great.

C4K: What were your main priorities while you were looking for child care?

KL: My main focus was that the girls were happy and were in a fun, caring and supportive environment where the staff have an understanding of each child’s needs.

C4K: What would you do differently if you were looking for child care again?

KL: Nothing – I would go back and harass my preferred centre until they let me in all over again!

C4K: What are the main benefits of your child care arrangement and/or having your children in care?

KL: I feel that for each of my girls, day care has been a really important part of their development – socially and emotionally. The girls have both had a very strong social side and independent streak from a young age so I think they are well suited to a childcare environment

C4K: Have you any amusing or heart-warming child care experiences?

KL: When we came home from Coco’s day care Christmas concert recently, she told us all the way home that it had actually been her birthday party and all the party food and kids were there for her birthday! To me that just says that she feels pretty special and comfortable there.