Lake District Family Photographer // “Working Mum” Guilts.
Lake District Family Photographer’s thoughts on working mum guilts!
Are you one of the millions of mums out there suffering with the Working Mum Guilts (WMG)? And why are we even called “working mums” when ALL mums work anyways? Bad terminology aside, here are my recent thoughts on the WMG as a family photographer in the Lake District and Manchester.
“We expect women to work like they don’t have children, then raise children as if they don’t work.”
First up - a wee disclaimer. This blog post is absolutely not me saying that mums should be in paid work - it is just my thoughts on and experience of the Guilts I get as a mum who is in self-employment as a family photographer.
“Don’t go to work today, mummy”. A phrase I hear often at the moment.
I only officially work three days a week as a family and motherhood photographer in the Lakes / Manchester, and sometimes fit in shoots outside of my regular working days. But I still get the pangs of major mum guilts every time I hear Marnie utter those words.
She sometimes asks to come to work with me. But she’s too big to carry around for a full shoot, and too much of a whirlwind to accompany me on foot.
I feel the WMG hit me hard, but then I remember why I am doing this.
This job for me is so much more than a job. It is a much loved hobby, turned career - a creative outlet, something that brings me so much joy. It is my entrepreneurial itch being scratched. It is obviously a vital source of income for our family. It’s part of my identity outside of my main job title of “Mummy”. It gives me independence, both physically and financially, which is something that is incredibly important to me. It balances out my weeks and makes me feel refreshed and ready for mumming again. It is also vitally important to me to show Marnie that she can follow a career path that fulfils her. It is so many things to me - that benefit Marnie and me; both directly and indirectly; short term and long term.
So when I get hit with the WMG, I reconnect with my why. And I hope that one day Marnie will see and appreciate my why. For now, I am pushing through and explaining to Marnie that mummy loves her job and she’ll be SO excited when she gets to see her little Moose again later.
Whichever path you choose, SAHM, part time employment, full time, self-employment - anything, just keep reminding yourself of why you’ve chosen this path. Your why may change, and circumstances and work life may change. But as we check in and make sure we’re on the right path for us, this will undoubtedly be the best path for your little one(s) too! If you’re happy, they are happy!
If you would love to see an outside perspective of the love between you and your little one(s), why not consider booking a shoot? Whether this is a motherhood shoot or a full family photoshoot, the images will be a permanent reminder of the incredible connection between you - and will help banish any WMG when they crop up! Just click the below button to get in touch.
Thanks so much,
Laura
Lake District Motherhood Photographer.