Social media campaigns for flexible work infiltrate my social media feeds every day. My favourites are both UK based – Digital Mums’ #WorkThatWorks Movement and Mother Pukka’s #FlexAppeal.

Other than the odd social media post here and there, I don’t post much about my day-to-day life as a career mum. So, in line with my new commitment to sharing more of my personal career mum journey, here’s what you may have missed.

• I have one daughter, Lilly, who is one and a half. It’s no secret that I would love to have more children asap, but Mother Nature has other plans for me for now at least.
• I work as a lawyer for a small firm in Perth, Western Australia. I practice Wills and estate planning, probate and estate administration, real estate and property/commercial law. I hate going to Court and do whatever I can to avoid it!
• I work at the office three days per week, but I work shorter than average days. I have about an hour’s commute each way, so I work 9-4(ish) so I can have some time with Lilly before and after work.
• I also work as and when I need or want to from home or wherever else I fancy. My favourite time to work is on a Friday night at home on the sofa in my PJs. Lame, I know.

Pyjamas, peppermint tea and chocolate … who wouldn't prefer working on a Tuesday night to a regular 9-5! #worklifeintegration #flexappeal #workthatworks #itsalllife

A post shared by Lucy Dickens (@lucy_dickens) on Sep 5, 2017 at 4:41am PDT

• I took Lilly to work with me until she was about 10 months old. She now stays with my husband and mum while I work at the office.
• I love my career, mainly because of the people I work with and the work that we do. Work is my go-to when I’m stressed or feeling down. It’s a great pick-me-up!
• I also love being a mum. I had no idea that motherhood could be my calling. I’ve really found myself and my place in life and I only have my sweet daughter to thank!

How I Flex

I’ve lost count of the number of times my working arrangements have changed since I had Lilly. I had about ten days off work after Lilly was born before I got itchy feet and started working from home.  Soon after that I felt lonely so I took Lilly to the office with me a few times. That worked well so #babiesatwork became a thing and I ended up going that 5 days a week for a little while, before I slowed down to three days. I even took Lilly with me to a 3-day conference interstate. When Lilly was about 10 months old it became impossible to get enough work done with her around to make it worthwhile going in, so I went back to working from home for a while (my lovely breastfed baby refused to drink from a bottle, so I needed to be close by) before going to the office two and then three days per week while Lilly stayed with my mum or husband.

Things are a little more certain these days. I work at the office 3 days per week and as and when I need to from home.

Wondering what work-life integration looks like in practice? My day today is the perfect example: 7am – breakfast, housework, dinner prep 🍳 9am – playschool with Lilly 👶🏼 12 – a few hours of remote work while Lilly napped 😴 💻 2pm – a walk to get fresh air (and buy some milk!) ☀️ 3pm – networking conference call via Skype 📱 4pm – dance party 💃🏼 and playing 5pm – family dinner 🍴 6pm – Lilly's bed time and more remote work for me 👩🏼‍💻 It sounds hectic when it's written down, but days like today are my favourite – the best of both worlds! #flexibleworking #workthatworks

A post shared by Lucy Dickens (@lucy_dickens) on Aug 3, 2017 at 3:25am PDT

I have no doubt at all that the support and flexibility I have been given at work has played a huge part in my smooth transition to working motherhood. It hasn’t always been easy for either party, but it has worked and it has paid off!

If you’re interested in reading more about how I make my work flexible, follow me on Instagram or Facebook for little life snaps, including this one today of me not working!

Here I am today, not working flexibly. Instead of logging on and checking my emails, I closed the laptop and ate my lunch in the sunshine. The thing about flexible working is that when you love your career as much as I do, it becomes all too easy to work at any time and any place. I often have to remind myself to stop working and just enjoy a nap time to myself! I need that time out today, so rather than sneak in a few hours work, I will do nothing. Nothing at all. Just sit and enjoy the spring sun ☀️ #flexibleworking #workthatworks #flexappeal #careermum

A post shared by Lucy Dickens (@lucy_dickens) on Sep 6, 2017 at 10:20pm PDT