SMH Heckler gets heckled

Anyone read today's SMH Heckler article? Here's the link if you missed it, and here's the reply I sent the SMH.

http://www.smh.com.au/news/heckler/if-its-not-ankle-biters-its-buggies-nipping-at-my-heels/2007/11/07/1194329317533.html

Hi Louise,
Interesting article. I have 2 young toddlers and even I don’t see that side of life that you have written about. Between work and children, I don’t have time to offer complaints like that.

Three things to consider:
1.You may not like children, but you were once a child. Who knows, you may have been a revolting toddler that your poor parents had to deal with.
2.These revolting little children will be paying for your health care one day so show some respect.
3.Stand up for other women. Raising children is a really hard job. Writing articles that divide women and the choices they make in life is an irresponsible thing to do. Why don’t you contribute to the idea of women standing united – as men do.

CareerMums Survey

Have your say on child care and workplace flexibility. There are 10 questions and it will only take 1 minute of your time. Visit our home page - www.careermums.com.au
- and click on the CareerMums survey link. Thanks for your time.

Career Comeback Program

The UBS Career Comeback program (Sydney only), developed with AGSM Executive Programs, is a free two day program designed for professional women re-entering the workforce after a significant break of anywhere between 18 months and seven years. It will focus on refreshing business and technical skills and provide important networking opportunities. For details please see www.agsm.edu.au/cc

Networking tips for parents

Networking is something that mums do well. Mothers groups are a great example. So why is it that we fall short of networking skills when it comes to going back to work? Often a great way to find a job is letting your friends, family and work colleagues that you are looking for a job. Some of the best leads can come from people you know.

If you found a job through your social network, share your story.

Returning to work and self doubt

Returning to work is not always a simple exercise for most people. You need to think about child care options, child care costs, drop off and pick up, sharing domestic duties etc etc. But probably the biggest problem many women face is a lack of self confidence. I experienced a lack of self confidence when returning to work 6 months after my first child was born - so imagine some people who have been out for up to 5 years. What I can share from my experience is that within a week of returning, I wondered why I had spent so much time doubting my abilities. In fact, think I returned to work as an even more productive employee.

How did you overcome a lack of self confidence when you returned to work? Or are you at the stage where you are looking for work and feeling self doubt?

Child care costs - have your say

With child care costs going up by over 12% per annum, and salaries rising on average by 2-3% per annum, the 30% rebate or the 50% child care rebate will mean very little if the Government does not intervene somehow in the rising cost of child care.

How has the cost of child care affected your re-entry into the workplace? And if you are receiving the other Government child care benefits, is this making a huge impact on your ability to afford child care?

Thinking of starting your own business?

Starting your own business can be the answer to your work and family balance. All it takes is a great idea. Something that you are really passionate about. Funding the business is the next hurdle. How much will it cost you to make your business idea a reality? Your business plan will help you to estimate the cost. You also need to think about the skills you don’t have. Talk to your friends, family and colleagues who do have the skills you are missing and tap into their brains. A business partner might be a good option for some people but you should be very careful about who you want to involve in your business and how much freedom you need. Starting your own business requires patience, determination, and an ability to get over short term hurdles and learn from them.