Are you a Member of the 81 Minute Club?

We all lead busy lives.  Fact.  A report in the Daily Telegraph in 2011 stated that the average working mum spends just 81 minutes per day looking after their children and that includes meal times. 

I remembered this figure clearly and it has stuck in my head every since because I, like many of you reading this blog, am a working mum. I felt GUILTY.  Surely my offspring – even when I do think they’re being little ratbags – deserve more of my time than that?  I tried for a long time after reading that article to go beyond 81 minutes per day and on the days that I found an hour and half of concentrated child focused time difficult to accommodate because of work/household/other family commitments, I worked on the theory that parenting wasn’t a numbers game and that it was more about the quality of that time that mattered. 

Eldest Daughter agreed, telling me to “give her some space” as she wasn’t at all sure about this new Mum-Bot fussing over her and asking her about her friends and offering her favourite meals.  “Why’re you asking? You don’t normally!” she mumbled before turning back to the Simpsons and making it very clear that she preferred me sticking within my 81 minutes a day.

Like every working mum, I think about the G word frequently.  Is it worth it?  Yes, the additional wage is crucial; however, figures released last week revealed that mothers with full time jobs need to work up to four months before they have covered childcare costs. That feels like working for nothing for a 1/3 of the year!

To make myself and my fellow working mums feel better, I have come up with Ten reasons why being a member of the 81 Minute Club is also a great thing:

1)  Being yourself.  Being at work you are you. Not “mum”, “mummy” or “muuuuuuuuum!!”  depending on how much/quickly your presence is desired.  Even if you’re Jenny from Accounts, Sue from Marketing or the “lady who does the amazing upholstery” you have a separate and crucially non-generic identity.

2)   Intellectual stimulation.  The subjects you can comfortably chat about extend beyond “In the midnight Garden”, Disney blu-rays or the availability of the latest “Hello Kitty” duvet.  The music you listen to in the car doesn’t have to be “Wheels on the Bus”.

3)     Posh frocks.  Okay it may be more a case of smart casual trousers and a pretty blouse but at least it’s more than jeans or leggings every day, not to mention the food stains that are every working mum’s badge of honour.

4)      Meeting people.  Your friendship circle extends beyond other mums and the postman.

5)      Financial considerations.  The number one reason for many of us – financial security is an obvious benefit

6)     Self esteem.  I feel better about myself when I am working and know from talking to family and peers in the same situation, that the feeling of contribution and achievement outside the home is very important

7)      Treasure the kids.  Believe me, spending time away from your children makes you value them all the more.  Even Tallest Daughter in her most sullen moments makes me smile when I haven’t seen her for a few hours!

8)      Food glorious food!  Run with me on this one……..working away from home means a more varied diet, especially if your children are very young. There are only so many fish finger sandwiches you can eat! You may only be taking your own packed lunch but it least it doesn’t comprise of left overs and pizza crusts.

9)     All’s equal. When you and your partner both work, you’re both in the same boat so there’s no resentment of one partner being out of the house or of one partner resentful that they are missing out on spending time with the children.

10)   Good example.  There is no doubt that working parents are good role models for their children.

I just want to make it clear that I am NOT anti stay-at-home-mums.  Far from it…..I am often very envious of those in that position and I could just as readily written the 10 best things about staying at home with your children or  - perhaps even more easily! – scribed the 20 WORST things about being a working mum! 

So 35 hours a week working, a couple of hours travelling, 81 minutes with the kids……..doesn’t leave much time for cooking, cleaning or laundry, not to mention time with your other half and/or friends!

The most popular feedback we get from our working mum clients is that we give them some time back and you’d be surprised how little it can cost.  Why not give us a try and see how much easier it is to have some valuable time with your family when your time isn’t spent ironing school uniforms.  We even sell gift vouchers so you can buy some family time for others you love.  Buy back some precious minutes…….