09 May, 2012

Outtakes of a working week



When I flicked through my camera memory card to extract the photos I’ll be publishing in the paper, I found these blurry and over-exposed pieces of evidence that the little kiddo has been my number one deputy roving reporter this week.*

The jury (me) is still out on whether I can sustain the travel and story-gathering aspects for these new profile pieces I’m writing and photographing with a kiddo accompanying me. Long-term, the answer will be no, I already know that, but for now, with a bit of tweaking of schedules between Alex and I to share the load, I think we can manage it.  Just.



As for my little deputy – well, what’s not to love about being on an adventure with your mum gallivanting through the countryside and getting to climb in rainforests, meet horses, throw balls for dogs, pick dandelions and drink babycinos with marshmellows** floating on top? Not to mention nicking off with cookies from news conference this morning.

Do you work with your children around? Maybe you are a WAHM (or dad)? If you do, how do you manage it? I’m always open to tips.

For now I’m deliberately keeping the pace slow and my expectations realistic. The whole raison d'etre for me working is to keep us all happy (me creatively, the family unit financially) so pushing the kiddo and I past our limits would be counter-productive.


x
Megan

p.s Thank you all so much for the lovely comments on the supermoon photos. You are awesome blog readers!


* I’ll post some better photos from our roaming soon. These were snapshots taken on the fly, the only ones with the kiddo in them, and the last one was me testing out a new lens at the office  – can you spot Maddi in among the chaos of that newsroom? 

** For future adventures I’m thinking of hanging a little sign around her neck that reads: Do Not Feed Sweets. The babycino/marshmellow sugar high-come-crash was the only downside of our week. Reminded me of a tweet journalist Annabel Crabbe posted a few months back that went something like: “Am headed to the office with a 2-yr-old and a bag of jubes. #whatcouldpossiblygowrong?”  

11 comments:

  1. What gorgeous photos (as always). I worked from home doing consulting when my daughter was a baby/toddler. It was challenging. When they are older, it's much easier of course, but at that age they need so much attention. I found myself thinking, 'too bad I'm not there to help'. I miss being with little ones (preschool). It all goes by so fast. I'm sure as you move forward with this you'll find the right balance.

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  2. Just re-read my comment and it doesn't make much sense. I meant, too bad I can't help you out. I think sometimes being a SAHM can be so isolating. I'd love to have other mothers to lean on (and who could in turn lean on me).

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    1. Hi Kristen - your comment did make sense! I agree with you about the isolation of being a SAHM/WAHM... that's a big part of any mother's challenge at home with young children.
      Yes, wish you lived in my neck of the woods! That would be so fine.
      x

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  3. Great pics Megan...when are your features going into the star...would love to read them! I used to work in childcare and take my daughter with me on different shifts and that was hard enough so can imagine the logistics of going around the countryside with your little one. It is tough that's for sure....hope you pick up some good tips and can manage to sustain both fro a little while. At least the wonderful weather we have been having must be helping!

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    1. Jode the redesign launches in a couple of weeks. You're right about this weather - it has made everything so much more manageable. ~ Megan

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  4. I think this is the hardest age in terms of doing anything other than focusing on them completely. How lvoely that you can take her to wor even if it is just for a little while. no tips here I am afraid but I would love ot hear some!

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    1. This age is tricky, for sure, because they want to run around and explore everything. I guess I am lucky with this little girl in that she is such a good traveller, so that's a bonus. But it's the focus part that is the real challenge. We're bumbling our way through - as I always do!
      x

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  5. Ha ha! What could possibly go wrong indeed!

    I think the gig will get easier as she gets a little older? At three and a half now, Cohen is much easier to wrangle, as he can understand and communicate more and loves to be my little helper. :)

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    1. Age is such a deal breaker, isn't it? When they are very little you can plan around sleep times etc and physically contain them, and when they are older they can handle "helping" and following instrucions. Miss Two neither sleeps for long, nor follows instructions. Fun and games!!
      x

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  6. I'm starting to make plans to return to work. My boss has offered work from home... but frankly I don't think I could swing it. The idea has been tossed into my too hard basket. Sorry - that's not much help for you.
    Love your photos.

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    1. I did three days from home when my five-year-old was a baby/toddler - torture. It was stressful meeting deadlines when kids just don't "do" deadlines. This time around the deadlines are sill there, but I'm setting my own pace and working ahead with a lot of lead time before publishing, so that works.
      I hope you find the answer to your work goals, Sally. At least you have a boss willing to offer flexible arrangements - they are few and far between in my experience.
      x

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Hi. I love to hear from readers, so thank you for your comment. I endeavour to answer any questions here in the comment section, so please check back regularly if you ask me something x Megan.