Part-timers

I now have a collection of handy blank greetings cards in the house, for those occasions when you suddenly remember a birthday or that someone has been ill or had a baby. It's a sign that I'm not at work. I'm the person who forgets everyone's birthday and haven't had anything resembling so much as a note-let around the house since I was twelve and had pen-pals.

I'm now about half way through my maternity leave. Ruby is twelve weeks old today and I'm now in the angst stage of wondering how I'm going to manage with leaving Ruby at home whilst I go out training and coaching clients combined with the desire to earn some serious cash and return to a life of nipping away for the weekend when we all feel like it.

I do feel that by working for only three days per week, I can achieve both. I often found with my part-time employees that they achieved much more than my full time people. I think you tend to work harder and smarter when you know you're on a limited time scale. Full timers can do a bit of faffing and still get the job done, whereas part-timers really can't afford to faff at all. The spell check doesn't like "faff", but I feel it's supremely apt in this context.

So, for all you full timers out there who get a bit narked at the part-timers, just think about how much time you actually spend working during your 40 hours per week and how much time is spent in ‘faff mode'.

So, a "get well card" and a "good luck" card later and my work today is done.  Just the tea to prepare, kids to feed, Ruby to change and bath, clothes to iron and put away etc...