Week 1 Postpartum with Number 2

That first week where you're just muddling along in a haze

1. Why this, why now (they gave me the title I'm too tired to change)

Technically I am 9 days postpartum as Number 2 in the clan was born on 8.06.24 but I had an urge to start the substack today, it's a Monday, it feels organised to get them out on a Monday so yeah, here I am!

2. About me (like a Tinder bio but less sex)

A quick introduction to me - My name is Jennifer and I am a recent mother to two feral children. I am a trained journalist, my degree is in journalism despite being told through out our whole course we'd never be journalists as there were no jobs. I have done more PR work than journalism in my career but I love to write (what a cliched c*nt) as much as I love to swear.

3. What's it all about, hey?

As I'm attempting a semblance of mat leave this time round, and don't want my brain to melt, I decided to waffle on on substack as everyone is. When there's a bandwagon to be jumped on I like to ride it for a while, then I invariably get bored and fall off.

The plan is to do a weekly newsletter documenting musings I've had on having two kids, groundbreaking I know. But also birthing my third baby which is The Working Mums Club. 

4. Get an image in they've said

Substack gods have told me go get an image and put it here- can't quite figure that out on my phone but I'm working on it

Currently it's some coloured pencils. OK I've managed to upload one but I can't get rid of the pencils so they're staying.

5. The community spaces

I will be creating community led spaces, starting off in London and Folkestone where mums can work but also bring their children. Whether it's just for an hour when you need to do a call, a couple of hours, or all day. The aim is to have spaces that are welcoming, affordable and provide the perfect environment for mothers transitioning back to work after having children.

6. Some pretty terrifying stats

There are a lot of terrifying stats on how few women return to full time work after having children. Less than 24% of women go back to work full time after having a baby and then 79% leave as they aren’t able to maintain a full-time role and a baby - https://wearethecity.com/careers-after-babies-report-highlights-alarming-statistics-for-women-returning-to-work-after-having-children/#:~:text=The%20report%20shows%20that%20less,role%20alongside%20having%20a%20baby.

I really want to change these statistics as work doesn't just provide an income for mothers and therefore financial independence, it provides a sense of self, friendships and perhaps most importantly in my opinion, some time away from your children to be an adult. To just be you.

7. The goal

My ultimate aim is to have The Working Mums Club community co-working spaces on every high street across the UK. Providing opportunities for networking, meeting other working mums, affordable childcare, affordable hot desking and delicious food and drink. 

I really hope you can join me and see how far I get. Probably to week two and then I'll get bored. But yeah, I'm putting it out there, I've registered my CIC, I've got a mentor in place and we're ready to roll.

Thanks for reading, see you next week 😊

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