The Beginning

Greetings to the universe!

Just as an intro, this blog is going to be about me, my cakes, my family and anything else I think applies to let you into my mad, mad world!

I am a 30 something mum in the suburbs of Australia, struggling to grow my career as a cake decorator and teacher, a mother to two wonderful kids, a wife to a lovely hubby who is the "Minister for Finance" in our home (read: tight wad who stops me buying cake toys and more kitchen gadgets!) a daughter, stepdaughter (times 3) and sister to wonderfull full and half brothers - its a busy life and I love it!

I have a mad, diverse family, a huge drive to succeed in my profession, a great life and VERY high maintenance friends.  I am also very opinionated and have a view on anything and everything, which drives my friends, family and workmates to distraction, but hey!  at least I am not boring!!

So, Here we are.... Topic for today is kids.

Currently at the tail-end of school holidays I am struggleing not to lock my kids in their bedrooms so I can go back to work and do what I love - i.e. cake decorating!

Don't get me wrong, I love my kids.  I just need to get away from them every now and then so I can .... appreciate them more when I am home!  I am not one of those stay-at-home mums whose life is fulfilled (BTW there is NOTHING wrong with being that!!) I just need to use my brain to remember who I am on my own, not as part of something else.  I have complete respect for the women who stay at home, I could not do it.

I find that there is no middle ground with people on this point though which is very sad.  You either think mums should work (and thereby be selfish and not raise their kids) or stay home (and be selfish by not bringing in an income)  I am firmly in the middle.  I work part time, feel guilty that I have to put my kids into some care, and I stay at home to look after them on the other days.  I also stay home if they are sick, have nits, have a cirriculum day etc.  Note: I stay home, not my husband.  funny that, and a point for another blog!

I recently had a dilemma where I HAD to work, we were so busy at work (I work for a small cake business) and there was literally a cake that I was the only one who could do it and I HAD to go.  So what do you do?  Leave your sick kid with a friend and hope they don't spew everywhere or take a day off work to the detriment of your career and really piss of your boss?? (please note - I swear, if you don't like it - stop reading cause I can't do it where my kids can hear, but I will do it here!)  So, the solution was - I begged and pleaded with a family member who had the day off to look after my child (and paid her double!) I felt like crap all day and my DH made me feel like the Worst Mother in the World.  Go figure! you someotimes just can't win!

I call this "The Curse of the Working Mother" because in most cases it will always be the mum who has to sacrifice her career if a situation like this arises.  We earn less, we work part time, and apparently our jobs are less valuable to the household income.  OK, so I earn about 1/2 the amount per hour than my DH, but to me my job is just as important, right?  Wrong.  Kinda reminds you of the Godfather movie "Every time I think I am out, they pull me back in" (I am doing the Al Pacino voice while I type!  lol!)

Have fun readers and I hope you stick with me a while.  You may not agree with what I say, but it can be interesting!  I firmly believe that everyone has a right to an opinion, I vent mine cause I love to hear others disagree with me and argue the point, kind of like the old debating club from school.  Anything to keep the mind active I guess!