A Week in the Life: Working mom life in the Netherlands
Marthe, a business owner with four boys under 10, shares her life in the Netherlands. Marthe's family includes an au pair, which helps she and her husband juggle activities and work.
Have questions for Marthe about working momming in the Netherlands / au pairs? Chime in in the comments.
Editor’s Note: Joining you a bit late today. I had planned a mellow week at home - finishing up a book chapter, marking essays, catching up on admin - as the university is on break for Easter, but politics had other plans. Today, the winner of the SNP leadership will be announced, so I cycled T into breakfast club, jumped in a shower in hopes of giving myself some hope of manageable hair, back to back meetings, taxi, and heading into town be a talking head on SKY as the results are announced.
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What’s your kid/family situation?
Me (40) + husband, 4 sons 9-8-6-5, and our au pair (bless her)
What is your job situation? (Job, hours, WFH vs butts in seat)
I work around flexible 30 hours per week from home (own business), hubs works 40-45 hours per week, 4 days from home, one day at the office.
What's your childcare situation? (daycare, wraparound care, nanny, magical grandparents)
All kids go to school, with after school care on Tuesdays and our au pair generally covers Mo-Fri after school until 6/7/8pm which is nice with sports and other activities. No grandparents healthy enough.
A Week in the Life
Monday
During the week I get up around 6:30, shower/dress, meditate and or Yoga and or work if I wake up earlier, after that, it’s providing the kids their breakfast and having a chat. Usually, husband brings the kids to school, except on Thursdays when he travels into the office, then I do it. All by bike since we are Dutch and live in The Netherlands ;)
Then I start up my laptop, Mondays are usually for working on my business instead of in it. Finance, marketing. I also visit my parents. At 2:30 pm I and/or the au pair pick up the kids from school, we have some tea and I work a little more. We eat terribly early, around 5, because Hubs and the 8-year-old go to soccer practice at 6. Then I chill with the kids or work or go to the gym.
Tuesday
Like Mondays only the kids are at school until 5:30pm, the au pair cooks, and I work. Mostly individual coaching sessions. Maybe a gym session or lunch with a friend. Family dinner around 6. Chill and bedtime routine.
Wednesday
Every other Wednesday I volunteer at the kids’ school library 8:30-10:30am. So much fun! After that it’s work for another hour, pick up at 12:30, lunch, work and/or groceries, early dinner again.
Thursday
Thursdays are for coaching, gym, studying (never not learning, usually via an online course), pick up at 14:30, pizza dinner around 6. Walk with Hubs while the au pair does bedtime <3.
Friday
Fridays are half working days, I have therapy, pick up at 12:30, work some more, swimming lessons for the younger two, dinner cooked by the au pair, and then weekend!!! Sometimes movie night with the Kids, although the oldest has boy scouts.
The Weekend
Saturdays and Sundays it’s soccer matches and training for the youngest three and Hubs had a volleyball match usually Saturday afternoon. I then visit my parents with the boys. I hit the gym on Sunday. Do some work and some housework. Notably, husband does almost all laundry.
Reflections
What was your biggest success this week?
Being able to navigate my parents through a hospital visit and home care arrangements due to flexible work.
What was your biggest obstacle?
Sick teacher —> 2/4 boys home —> different au pair schedule —> planning overhaul and less time for myself.
How are you making it work?
The au pair is a life saver and I keep breathing out for longer than in.
Reading List
Some recommended reads from around the internet:
A Week in the Life: Working mom life in the Netherlands
Seems like a wonderful week in life! Cuddoes to Marthe for making it work so smoothly, it looked like everyone knew what they were doing and they were all stress free! Work wise, I can relate to setting up the priorities and dedicating specific time for deep strategic work about growing business and also ftime for networking! Thanks for sharing your week with us!
Thanks for featuring me! Indeed, happy to answer questions :)