Lifestyle Choices

`I have little time for myself, but the children are only young and so demanding for a short time. I plan to take up other hobbies when they are older.’

`I think I have sacrificed less personally, but as it contributed to my divorce, my son has to cope with a lot. However, now that I have graduated with a first-class degree, he sees me as something of a “role model”.’

Sheila, 31, guidance development assistant/part-time student

`I feel I’ve got everything, a great job, wonderful family, but often I am so tired I can hardly speak. I need another few hours in the day.’

Karen, 28, caterer

`I don’t have much time for myself, but am a 100 per cent better person for going out to work to when I stayed at home. Someone once said that children are a gift, and you should give up everything for them. They didn’t have children.’

Michele, 31, secretary (more…)

`If I am ill, I keep working unless I’m dying (not literally). I have an excellent family who would help me if Charlotte was ill. The nursery has plenty of staff so I never have to worry. If any of them are ill, they have cover.’

Karen, 28, caterer

Feel as the company is paying me to work seven hours a day for so many days in the year, that it is up to me to be there, unless I am genuinely ill; I take any other time off as holidays, or possibly unpaid. It is not the company’s responsibility that I have a child, although I would expect them to show compassion in a real emergency, as I hope they would if it was a partner or parent who was ill.’

Audrey, 41, admin supervisor

I always have a back-up organized. I have never needed to take time off because of child illness.’

Sue, 35, training manager

`If I’m ill, I struggle to cook and look after Emma as usual I save annual leave for when Emma or my carer is ill, and use flexitime or other help.’

Maria, 33, accountant (more…)

‘My children are very happy as they have lots of friends and interests. They accept things, but would prefer to have their dad with us.’

Jean, 44, doctors’ receptionist/typist

‘I dread Monday mornings more. I often doubt my ability to do my job and have this lurking dread that some catastrophe will expose my shortcomings.’

Christine, 3o, financial controller

‘My older boys have admitted that although they complain about me working, they appreciate my need to do so and respect the fact that it does make me a more interesting person. Jack and Joe have never known anything else.’

Jackie, 36, accounts clerk/estate agent

‘Weekends. You’re supposed to go out and have fun and (a) I can’t afford to; (b) babysitters are a problem; and (c) I like the routine the weekdays give me.’

Wendy, 46, teacher/now a journalist (more…)