Working Mums: Go to the ball to get your groovy back!

Usually, I don’t get to go to the ball.

Something to do with having two small children, a husband that works late, and an embryonic business that needs a bit of attention.

However, this time I did.

Cinderella gets to go the the Twitter Party

It very probably had something to do with the fact that it was an online party and involved Twitter, so I didn’t need to leave my trusty iPad / iPhone.

And even more importantly, I was able to attend in the middle of the day (ish) for only an hour, so I didn’t need to get a sitter in as the kids were nicely bundled off to school.

The wonderful Kate on Thin Ice hosted the #groovymums Twitter party on Tuesday last week (27th March), and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised.

It was my first Twitter party you see; and I didn’t want to end up being Billy-no-mates wandering aimless about, or hiding behind the Aspidistra in the corner.

And I am glad to say, I didn’t.

Great support and great ideas

I was able to dip in and out of the conversation easily, and people were giving some great advice, and responses to Kate as she asked questions relating to being, and trying to be #groovymums.

Most importantly, it was very welcoming, and I didn’t feel like I was butting in; which as I am a shy retiring wallflower, I can sometimes fell – honest.

It was a huge success, and ended up trending in the UK. Well done, Kate.

I am sure that was down to the great advice and thoughts about how mums can gain their groovy back by:

• Appreciating the value of our roles in life more, whether its as a working or stay at home mum
• Getting a balance between work and personal life, potentially by trying to get more of that “me time”
• Gaining confidence to get back to work, particularly through volunteering
• Appreciating the power of networks, such as those involved in blogging, for support. This is something that’s very close to my heart as I have only been blogging since February and networks have helped me a lot already
• Generally having more confidence in themselves as individuals; not just as the mother of a child.

The whole experience was worthwhile for me, and I greatly value the time I have during the day, as there is always so much I need to cram in.

Most importantly, Kate and #groovymums helped me to remember:

@kateonthinice we do put ourselves down – sometimes we forget we are doing the hardest, but most rewarding job in the world :-) #groovymums

— Helen Neale (@KiddyCharts) March 27, 2012

And I think we would all do well to remind ourselves of that now and then too.

Helen

Helen is a mum to two, social media consultant, and website editor; and this site is (we think) the only Social Enterprise parenting magazine! Since giving up being a business analyst when juggling travel, work and kids proved too complicated, she founded KiddyCharts so she could be with her kids, and use those grey cells at the same time. KiddyCharts has reach of over 1.1million across social and the site. The blog works with big family brands (including travel) to help promote their services, as well as offering free resources to parents of kids under 10. It gives 51%+ profits to Reverence for Life, who fund a number of important initiatives in Africa, including bringing running water and basic equipment to a school in Tanzania. Helen has worked as a digital marketing consultant (IDM qualified) with various organisations, including Channel Mum, Truprint, Talk to Mums, and Micro Scooters. She loves to be creative in the brand campaigns she works on. Get in touch TODAY!

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