Well we did recover to some extent from the shattered night. Sb being at nursery at the morning was certainly helpful. I cuddled and played with BB – who is really showing a personality now. She is a happy smiley girl, who likes boisterous play. It is nice to have this one to one time with her, when SB isn’t the prime focus!
I picked SB up from nursery after lunch to go to Sunnybanks soft play centre with my postnatal group and her friends. Slightly delayed as I had to provide some first aid to someone who had fallen badly in the middle of the road and couldn’t get up! I don’t think anything broken, but knee very swollen, so ambulance to A and E.
Anyway all 3 of us had fun, me chatting and drinking tea, SB haring around with her mates, and BB being a flirt smiling at all and sundry, and being passed around for cuddles. SB is such a chipmunk – she was climbing up the outside of the cagey bits [whatever the mesh is called] and inciting the others to follow. i persuaded her to come down, as although she seems to have the footing of a mountain goat, she isn’t supposed to be there, and some of her friends were certainly a lot more nervous – though they did follow! [socialisation, PE]
On our return we made fresh veg risotto together – SB cutting up the french beans, and peeling and cutting the carrots. Not all the frozen peas and sweetcorn made it in, as she has a real thing about eating frozen veg! It tasted delicious. We also put beetroot in it, as there was some in the organic veg box – really pretty as white and red rings, but didn’t have the taste, and SB didn’t like it anyway! [cooking]. Chris took BB for a walk to the postbox – oh I do like the sunny weather!
We then had a look at education city – already previewd by Sarah and Joyce following June’s recommendation. Yes, we are the sheep!! Anyway, we signed for a 5 day trial of foundation and year 1. the foundation science games we played today were fun and a bit easy. nice butterfly and frog lifestyle game. We also did some of the reception english. SB really improving, she can easily spot first sound, and often last in a spoken word. Didn’t try the maths or french – will perhaps try tomorrow. [science, IT, literacy]
We took dolly into the bath tonight – so floor resembles a flood plain! Dolly not alot cleaner for her dunking, even if wetter. C0uple of books and a Mog CD for bed tonight. BB now being a little bit grizzley at mo in Chris’s arms – having just shown no interest in feeding.
Yesterday Quick Update
i went to see friends and their gorgeous new baby. An emergency caesarean at fully dilated perhaps not the birth plan, but he was over 10lb! Feeding well, though all night and Sarah looks shattered. Start of the great adventure. Explained the ‘this too will pass’ principle – LOL
Thoughts: return to work all too imminent, and not heard one way or ‘tother about 4 days rather than 5. I am not discarding my children like cheap jewelry or robes, but making difficult life choices with my family unit’s best interests at heart.
I don’t know if medics have different contracts from the rest of us mortals in the NHS ;-), but when I wanted to go part time, my CEO told me that he would LIKE to say no, as he could really do without part-time senior staff, but in fact the law put the onus on him to prove that it *couldn’t* be done, rather on me to prove that it could, and he didn’t believe it would be possible to win that one. So he agreed. I was told not to ask, just to inform, that from xx date, I would be reducing my hours to whatever. Which means I only have to discard my daughter on a part-time basis
I don’t think you are discarding a thing – any more than I would say a working father is. You haven’t got the attitude for it.
Would have thought that your position requesting part time working would be stronger following the recent legislation – forget what it’s called. Hope it goes well.
well, i’ve put in an official request. However, my going part time would mean a change of clinic time, and therefore nurses working patterns. So a possibility that they could prove that it can’t be done. Any more, and there would have been probs with waiting lists etc. doctors are not on diff contracts, but differently applied! Also, i have to work with them for 30 years!!
Also I think the person who is supposed to be looking at it is on holiday, and is not overly aware of the rules, as only just taken on a management role.
Yeah, I just decided I hated that poem, as I felt it judged me, and all others like me as callous and uncaring – obviously a raw nerve!
have just sent an email with dti bit on it to the medical director – might help!.
I’m sure that you will make the relevant person fully aware of the rules Helen …….:-)
(((Helen))) … I hated it too
We call it ‘flexible working’. We have clear guidelines on response times to requests, e.g. a meeting must be convened with 28 days of receiving request. As Joyce said the onus is on the management proving it won’t work. With us you have to have worked for the University for 26 weeks before being allowed to make an application. Presumably in the NHS that can be in *any* hospital.
Helen hre, well that bit isn’t clear actually, so I’m not querying it!
Also not clear is whether the maternity leave counts as working for an employer??
however
they would have great difficulty recruiting a jobshare for me so I’ve gone for compressed hours so that not a reason for rejection
they will have to ask some nursing shifts to change – and that is a reason for rejection if the nurses not happy
Also, i might have to quibble of EWTD
I’m going back to work too, Helen, on 4th May although only p/t (14h per week) but really wish I didn’t have to. Fortunately can take Isabelle in with me some of the time. Even so, I have that feeling of dread…
i guess i should be greatful uk provides the paid mat leave it does – just look at usa!!!! however still is too short!
I used to work a 3 day week, and wish i was back at that, but know a lot of consultants working a 4 day week who say it works, as can try and squeeze another afternoon or a late start. I do so hope they agree.
have also identified mercy bf run times if required – though chris would find it a real pain getting sb and bb in car and trekking in [ 10 miles]
anyway commiserations to you to, as it is an awful pit of stomach feeling. i have been cuddling BB all evening, and hate the thought of seeing so much less of her