Welcome! I’ve had an influx of subscribers in recent days thanks to Sarah Hart-Unger of The Shubox and Best Laid Plans and I wanted to send out a welcome and invite conversation in the comments. Scroll down to have your say.
A Life Update
Working mom life is hectic here at the moment - the longest shortest month, coinciding with the midway point of the university term, and school and university strikes. And inconveniently, the First Minister decided to resign so I’ve been busy following/commenting on the leadership contest.
We’ve had to get a bit creative with childcare as the university and school strikes haven’t coincided, so T’s been off to “strike clubs”. Thank goodness he’s so mellow about being dropped off at random places.
Feeling incredibly grateful for work-city pals who make sure I’ve got social plans (including first place in the pub quiz), increasingly brighter days, and our upcoming reading week for a break from the travel.
What We Do Here:
Each week, I feature a working mom’s week in the life. If you want to share how you’re making it work, fill out the survey.
Some of our highlight newsletters:
My pal LAL who makes it work as a clinical psychologist and a single mom.
Mary Moo Cow who sings the praises of local grandparents.
And my absurd but weirdly workable two-city life.
What I’m Reading
I’m slogging through A School for Good Mothers, but am struggling. I think it captures those early days of motherhood incredibly well, but also… so sad.
I’m glad to see the The Daminger Dispatch, by Allison Daminger back in my substack feed. Allison is a sociologist looking at the division of labour within households and her research is fascinating.
And Anne Helen Petersen wrote about spirit days, which makes me so grateful that my kid’s school is pretty minimal about these things.
Last year, I forgot about World Book Day and sent my kid in with a truly enormous wolf tail… purchased by my mom off Etsy and meant for adults of a certain extracurricular interest. This year, I’m away, so bonne chance to Mr BS drawing eyeglasses for Ozzy, the boy with owllike superpowers. I’ll report back.
And Over to You:
How is life at the moment?
What’s keeping you going?
After reading glimpses of your life through your comments on theshubox I'd been so intrigued - it's lovely to read about your two city life and how it works for your family. Thanks to everyone whose shared their situation so far. It's great to read and learn from you all!