Simone Short has four children, including 11 week old twins Jack and Austin; five year old Sarah and Cooper, 3.
She is married to Martin and lives on Sydney's North Shore.
She co-founded the Gidget Foundation, which raises funds, understanding and awareness for the treatment of "Post Natal Depression".
Gidget Foundation for post natal depression
C4K: With four children you're clearly a very busy mum! What's your daily routine in terms of work and motherhood?
SS: The big kids go to preschool two days a week and the twins are at home with me, so it can be a bit crazy and hectic! I work when I can, which sometimes means I'm sending emails at 2am!
C4K: What does your work entail and how did you come to be involved with the Gidget Foundation?
SS: I am the committee president of the Gidget Foundation. Following the death of my sister "Gidget" in 2001, who took her own life following a diagnosis of Post Natal Depression, her dearest friends and family decided we should try to help other women in need and so the Gidget Foundation was born. We exist to promote awareness of Perinatal Anxiety and Depression among women and their families, their health providers and the wider community to ensure that women in need receive timely, appropriate and supportive care.
C4K: When did you go back to work after having your children – or when did you go back after previous children?
SS: I never actually stopped work when I had my children. It's so enjoyable and rewarding. Due to the very close link to the foundation and our family I have a real passion to see the difference a group like ours can make to mothers in need. It has been a juggle at times but because the foundation is run by friends of my sister, and volunteers who have lived through their own Post Natal Depression everyone has a sensitivity to the importance of family commitments and how precious this time is. It's also an 'outlet' from my mummy duties!
C4K: Who looks after the children when you're working?
SS: I have help from an au pair to get through the hectic morning and evening times, and getting the older children ready for pre school etc, but as the twins still sleep a lot during the day I can work then. My role is very focussed on the events and fundraising of the foundation, so a lot of the work is done on email which allows me to work when I can.
C4K: What were you looking for in your child care arrangement? How did you find it and was it a difficult process?
SS: Finding a suitable preschool is the first challenge, but then one that has available places is even trickier. We were just looking for a preschool/long day care arrangement that gave me a bit of flexibility, that was nearby, that was a warm and friendly environment for the kids. We found a wonderful preschool which is not as close to home as I hoped, but which has a huge outdoor area and the children enjoy a home-cooked lunch and freshly baked morning tea every day. The only downside is they tell me my cooking is not nearly as good as what they eat at preschool!
C4K: What would you do differently if you were looking for child care again?
SS: I'm very happy where the children attend preschool, but my only tip would be to do your research and book in early!
C4K: What are the main benefits of your child care arrangement?
SS: The children have learnt so much from their preschool as it operates as a long day care as well. They started at 2 1/2 years and have developed wonderful social skills. We have not suffered any separation anxiety and it has allowed me time to do my work without compromising my time when I'm with the children.
C4K: Have you had any funny or heart-warming child care experiences?
SS: Just recently they have been learning about 'their community' which has involved a variety of activities including discussing what jobs they would like to do. Cooper told me he announced he was going to be a mechanic, which was no surprise as he is very much a 'car man'. I noticed last week that a selection of drawings had been placed on a noticeboard and there was a picture Sarah had drawn of herself which had written underneath 'I want to be a Model so I can wear all the nice clothes in the magazines!'
The Gidget Foundation’s aim is to raise money to ensure better and more accessible support for sufferers; to educate the community, including doctors, about the condition and to ensure there are clearer pathways to treatment and support for PND sufferers.
Their annual fundraiser will be held on November 22nd at The Westin, Sydney. Tickets are $195 per person and available by contacting Simone on sim@gidgetfoundation.com.au.
The Gidget Foundation recommends women with suspected post-natal depression seek help through their GPs or early childhood centres. For information about PND, go to www.beyondblue.org.au
Their annual fundraiser will be held on November 22nd at The Westin, Sydney. Tickets are $195 per person and available by contacting Simone on sim@gidgetfoundation.com.au.
The Gidget Foundation recommends women with suspected post-natal depression seek help through their GPs or early childhood centres. For information about PND, go to www.beyondblue.org.au
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