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In this episode, I interview Victoria, mother of 2 school aged girls and 1 half of a '2 parents working full time' family. We talk about commuting, OSHC and a projectile brush with the law ;)

The Lowdown

- Family of 4 - 2 Full-time working parents - 2 school aged child, 1 with complex health/dietary needs

3:10 Sleep 3:34 Daylight Savings and getting more sleep 4:04 Getting older and having to go to bed earlier 4:20 Night owls most productive at night 5:14 Who are the people in your family 5:40 2 parents in full-time work 5:50 Long commutes 6:02 English commutes and congestion 8:34 Parenting superpowers 8:40 Project management! 8:58 Trying to be organised with food allergies and different meals 9:12 3 Different meals in one evening 9:26 Slow eaters!!! 9:50 Learning to eat FAST 10:44 Using the slow eater lag time to get things done 11:00 Quality time afterwards 11:24 Early morning = less stress 12:06 Husband super power - storytelling 12:32 Story time is engaged and fun 12:56 Tickles at bed time 12:18 Having parents provide different elements at bed time 13:52 How are the drop-offs managed? 14:00 It's a bit of a process! 14:26 Tuesdays accommodating medical appointments and late work meetings 14:48 Losing lunch containers at school 16:22 Putting lunch containers directly in lost property! 17:08 It was the birds! The birds! 17:32 Friday night takeaway night 17:52 The 6pm everyone has just got home and is hungry effect 18:54 Doing pick up and checking in with the kids 19:10 The 6pm everyone has just got home and is hungry and wants to show your their school work effect 19:38 Do you feel like to had a choice in your path? 20:00 Industry crashing meaning work dries up 20:38 Skill up when not in employment 21:14 Either full-time work or nothing 21:58 Experiencing not being able to find work, understanding more when partner was going through the same 22:38 Bad cycle - no work, looking after sick kids, feeling isolated 23:22 Turning point away from depression via regular catch-ups with friends 24:00 Applied for the same job as had done previously and not been successful 24:10 Study, internships, other experience was beneficial to selection process 24:18 Success! 24:28 Impact on kids time in care.... 24:32.....beneficial from mental health and financial perspective 24:58 Didn't feel in the position to negotiate flexible work arrangements 26:00 Flexibility in different forms, offer of mental health day 27:00 One person per project necessitates being available all the time 28:22 Understaffed 28:46 What works well 28:54 Flexibility when we need it (sick child) 29:46 Sharing the load 30:00 Working from home with sick kids 30:34 Downsides? 31:34 Getting up earlier and having quality family time when mornings aren't a rush 32:20 Reverse the day 32:30 Quality family time when they are in a good mood! 32:52 Medical treatment for youngest has changed days dramatically 34:12 Kids being able to change tempo at bed time 34:40 Kiddy crash tackle hugs 37:10 Level of stress before you step into the door at work 37:26 What other things have you tried in the past 37:42 Mother in Law, Family Day Care 39:42 Working from home and also using childcare 40:00 Working from home with an under 1 yo vs an over 1 yo 41:38 Luxury of a day in the office 42:42 Overseas work travel - being the one leaving 44:22 Transitioning to one parent when the other is away 46:04 Hard being the parent away 47:10 But all mothers should do it! 47:46 Next evolution for the family? 47:50 Kids getting more responsibility and jobs 49:46 Family responsibility well supported 50:12 Never been an issue when time has been required 50:46 Setting an example for the team in regards to flexible work 51:50 Setting the boundaries for what is overstepping the mark