Comments on SCHOOL GATE STYLE: The week that was...

You crack me up Ingrid - lol lol.....still can'...

2015-09-24T15:34:57.664+01:00

You crack me up Ingrid - lol lol.....still can't get that blooming song out of my head today!! xx

You are a honey Helen - thank you. And thanks for ...

2015-09-24T15:34:29.900+01:00

You are a honey Helen - thank you. And thanks for the reminder to find joy in what I'm doing...regardless of what it is. That's SO important. Really appreciate your words of wisdom and thanks for all the support always. xx

Hi Sharon, thank you for sharing your experience. ...

2015-09-24T15:33:14.899+01:00

Hi Sharon, thank you for sharing your experience. It sounds like that job wasn't meant to be, doesn't it? Perhaps you needed to go for it to see that the job you have is actually the best arrangement for you right now. I have to say at the same time that it must be tough feeling so bored and frustrated at work. I guess the kids benefit at the end of the day and that is important. Oh so many women with the same challenges and dilemmas. It's been really helpful reading your experience Sharon - thank you for sharing it. xx

Oh Cheryl....we talked about that when we met too....

2015-09-24T15:30:11.039+01:00

Oh Cheryl....we talked about that when we met too. Your job is amazing and gives so much back to the community but it's not an easy one to walk away from if you have a meeting or something crops up at home. That's the challenge to taking up a challenging role.
Re the social media thing - I am stepping back personally from lots of the channels and mostly my interactions are blog related. But even that is feeling like too much some days.
Thanks for the support from the beginning Cheryl....and for your wise words xx

Thanks Fiona - we've talked about this offline...

2015-09-24T15:27:48.449+01:00

Thanks Fiona - we've talked about this offline too....I really appreciate all your support and will definitely continue to bend your ear over the coming weeks. xx

Thank you - I hope the same too. All the comments ...

2015-09-24T15:27:09.459+01:00

Thank you - I hope the same too. All the comments and messages with support and ideas have really helped me this week xx

Oh it's so good to know I'm not alone with...

2015-09-24T15:26:40.103+01:00

Oh it's so good to know I'm not alone with this! Thanks Frances - hopefully we'll both get our eureka moment soon...perhaps yours will be a TV career? How amazing would that be?
Thanks again for all the support lovely lady, xx

Hi there - yay...someone with the same experience!...

2015-09-24T15:25:14.667+01:00

Hi there - yay...someone with the same experience! Thank you - I'm feeling very encouraged by that. Part time seems to be the way to go...and that way, I can keep the blog up. Really appreciate your comment - thank you xx

So wise Becky - of course I remember people in wor...

2015-09-24T15:24:17.512+01:00

So wise Becky - of course I remember people in work being worse than toddlers lol!!! And you couldn't put them on the naughty step to escape them for a while....instead you had to be so diplomatic...arrrggghh!! You've hit the nail on the head re the company. I miss that and I get a bit fed up of being in the house all the time. I'll keep my options open - as you say, all decisions are reversible at the end of the day! Thanks as always lovely lady - you are such a fab supportive person. It's greatly appreciated xx

Thank you so much Ana - you've made me all emo...

2015-09-24T15:21:49.398+01:00

Thank you so much Ana - you've made me all emotional reading that. The blog does feel quite intense sometimes, especially when the emails gather pace and you feel like you spend all of your time politely saying no to endless so-called 'business opportunities' - all unpaid! It stops feeling like a blog then - just a business and that brands are constantly trying to take advantage of it for zero reward. Step back and breathe is great advice. Thank you so much for taking the time to comment. I really appreciate it. xx

Thanks - both of you. You've been such great s...

2015-09-24T15:19:12.458+01:00

Thanks - both of you. You've been such great supporters and it's been wonderful meeting you both via this blog. Part time is the goal...I'll cross the work bridge first and then decide where the blog might end up. Watch this space. Thanks for the encouragement lovely ladies xxx

Thanks Emma - you are so right about the September...

2015-09-24T15:17:55.847+01:00

Thanks Emma - you are so right about the September thing. Maybe I should have gotten a puppy to take my mind of it?! Thanks for the encouragement and your kind words about the blog. I really enjoyed meeting everyone on Tuesday...we really need to schedule in a whole day meeting as we never get covering all we want to!! xx

Thanks for that suggestion - I do a bit of that al...

2015-09-24T15:16:18.987+01:00

Thanks for that suggestion - I do a bit of that already but I really would like to be in an office environment with other people around me. But yes - the skills are there and I know I could do it easily. Thanks again, xx

Oh wow - I can't believe someone would do that...

2015-09-24T15:14:49.114+01:00

Oh wow - I can't believe someone would do that?! What an utter witch....but yes, I've had that on certain parenting forums and it does make me wonder if people from my real life think along the same lines. Of course, we should all just go 'stuff that' and not let it worry us. Your point re the mental stimulation is key for me - I need that so much...and that's what's prompting this I think. Thank you for your kind and encouraging words - they have got me thinking and yes, I think the blog is safe for now...too much work has gone into it to drop it all. Just might need to take a different direction with it. xx

Thanks Michelle - you've done things a bit dif...

2015-09-24T15:12:17.417+01:00

Thanks Michelle - you've done things a bit differently but having an 11 year old myself, I know that it's now they appreciate you being there for them....so much homework and emotional support needed. I'm hopeful of some work coming my way - I think I need that challenge and who knows, it might open up a whole new blogging avenue - workwear! Thanks so much for your advice Michelle, you're always so supportive of the blog...I really appreciate it xx

Hi Lynne - I've thought about what you said ab...

2015-09-24T15:10:06.017+01:00

Hi Lynne - I've thought about what you said about the best choices being difficult since you left this comment. I do think you're so right and thanks for sharing your experience. It's good to know I'm not the only one concerned about the online presence thing and I like that you have your priorities in good order. Sometimes other bloggers make me think that I need to have my blog as the top priority but you're right - family comes first. Thanks so much Lynne - for your wise words and all your support of the blog xx

Thanks Donna - the childcare issue is a huge one, ...

2015-09-24T15:06:30.062+01:00

Thanks Donna - the childcare issue is a huge one, especially at holiday times when they're off school. Will keep my eyes open for something - having talked to a few people this week, I'm feeling more positive that I could get some contract or part time work, which would be a great 'best of both worlds'. Thanks lovely xx

Hi Sue - I think you're right...it's that ...

2015-09-24T15:04:34.237+01:00

Hi Sue - I think you're right...it's that having a place when I can be me, and not just mum. The more I'm thinking about it, the more I feel the need to just get out of the house to work. But yes - a balance would be ideal so part-time would be brilliant. Thanks for sharing your experience Sue and for all your support of the blog right from the start xx

Hi Laurie...you are so right. Blogging income is d...

2015-09-24T15:03:06.278+01:00

Hi Laurie...you are so right. Blogging income is directly linked to the number of hours you spend on it and I'm just not able to spend that time. However, I know I am so fortunate to have a great group of followers and I will keep up a bit of both like you suggest. Feeling a bit more positive this week about being able to juggle a bit more beneficially. Thank you for that xx

❤️ http://youtu.be/8bxjNZYR64g❤️

2015-09-23T21:46:53.010+01:00

❤️ http://youtu.be/8bxjNZYR64g❤️

You are one smart cookie Avril and you will find a...

2015-09-23T13:46:42.323+01:00

You are one smart cookie Avril and you will find a way to fit it all in. The main thing is to enjoy whatever you do, whether that is blogging, family time or work. If things become a chore it is time to re assess and make changes. I know how you feel so I just take little blogging breaks, from time to time. I do hope you can keep the blog going. It is one of the first I ever started following and I think you are just 'Grand' :0) H xx

Hi Avril. I've recently had a similar dilemma...

2015-09-23T10:33:20.979+01:00

Hi Avril. I've recently had a similar dilemma. I've worked part time, term time for a good few years now and my boys are now 14 and 12. My job is far from challenging and I saw another job which was still part time, but year round, and also looked absolutely perfect on paper. I went for the interview and felt totally deflated and just knew that it wasn't the right thing for me. That was the first week of July and I still haven't heard from them, despite being told at interview that they would be in contact within a couple of days! However, upon prayer and reflection, I felt that actually, the boys will be grown up and gone really soon, and I should just be grateful for the situation. I am not totally stressed out, I get long holidays (our 7 weeks summer hols were about to start), and it's a real priviledge to have been able to spend so much time with them. Everyone is different and this may not be the case for you, but just wanted to share my story. I've been back at work for three weeks now and still bored and frustrated at work, but also, managing to have a life, help with homework, and generally be around. Hope this helps and you are able to make the right decision for you and your family. x

I worked part time when my children were small and...

2015-09-23T08:02:39.057+01:00

I worked part time when my children were small and went back full time when my youngest started school. I look back and wonder how we've coped and kept 2 careers going.
Work gives me a sense of self. It gives me a chance to talk about things other than the children. But my career comes at a price. This week I felt a lot of guilt missing a meet and greet with their new teachers (their dad went) because I was at a safeguarding meeting.
Social media's a funny one. We put so much about ourselves out there. I stopped tweeting ages ago now for that reason and I don't miss it at all. I'm feeling the same towards Facebook as well.
Good luck!

The answer will come to you and no-one can say whe...

2015-09-21T16:37:33.769+01:00

The answer will come to you and no-one can say when. Writing down and sharing how you feel was the right thing to do. Listening to what everyone has to say is comforting (ie you're not alone etc).

You must certainly keep this on regardless of what you do and in a capacity that suits you. How about scaling back the writing to posts you are passionate about, can write with your eyes closed and to keep the blog going. You've done so well to get a loyal fan base, they'll stick with you whether you post daily or 3 times a week.

You know where I am if you need a chat.

Fiona

The selfish part of me thinks NOOOoo just keep doi...

2015-09-21T14:47:06.790+01:00

The selfish part of me thinks NOOOoo just keep doing what you're doing, but Juanita is absolutely right. We can chat more tomorrow, but maybe take time to see what opportunities are out there and then weigh up how much they appeal compared to where you're at? x