They are holding an open meeting next week, free for mums in any line of work with young children up to the age of three, of a new support group named Rooted and Rising.
Jessica Robinson and Camilla Hobbs are both lawyers at Walkers, and each have two children of the same age – three and five.
The pair said they knew first-hand how challenging it can be to balance work and motherhood, and that the transition brings new hardship that many women tackle alone. Rooted and Rising aims to help returning mums build connections, reduce isolation and access expert guidance.
‘In my mind there’s a couple of strands,’ said Ms Robinson.
‘There’s the emotional link to your baby, and having to put your baby into some kind of childcare.
‘In Guernsey many mothers may take a maternity leave that is as short as three-to-six months. I returned at six months with both of my children.
‘And I was still breastfeeding – one of my babies wouldn’t take any formula, so she ended up starving herself throughout the day and then feeding at night. And that’s not unusual. So you’ve got lack of sleep and figuring out how to express milk.
‘Then you come back and you really want to get back in full swing of work. Many working mums are high performers. You want to do well, and you put a lot of pressure on yourself to do so.
‘I think most mums aren’t letting balls drop at work, but they put themselves under an immense amount of pressure to keep everything going.’
Now that their children are older, Ms Robinson and Mrs Hobbs have realised how hard their experience was, and now want to ensure that new and future mums can find local support.
‘As soon as you come back to work, you’ve got the grief, almost, of no longer having your baby with you at all times,’ said Mrs Hobbs.
‘And then your support network goes, because you’re not free to go to the mums’ catch-ups and activities that are all geared towards women on maternity leave, or without jobs. Losing your baby to childcare is really hard. It’s completely new, and it causes a lot of anxiety, trusting your child with strangers.
‘It can be really lonely being a mum. You have to compose yourself and continue to live. I think being able to connect to other people in the same position at that point, is really important.
‘So bring yourself, in whatever state you’re in – have a cup of tea and listen to the women from Bright Beginnings tell you “it’s all okay”.’
The group, sponsored by Walkers, is facilitated by Bright Beginnings Children’s Charity who will lead the monthly, lunchtime sessions for open discussion, shared experiences and practical advice. No sign-up is required.
Some sessions will invite experts, such as health visitors and womens’ physiotherapists, offering convenient, professional care.
‘It’s not about networking, or being a high-flying boss-mum,’ said Ms Robinson.
‘It’s just a space to be a mum, have a biscuit and chat.
‘That was important to both of us. Returning to work can be a hard transition, but it’s also a really beautiful and fulfilling one – and it does get easier. Be a mum, and make the point that this is a big part of who you are now – honour it.’
n The new group will meet for the first time on Monday 26 January at 1pm in the Dorey Room at the Guille-Alles Library.
For more information contact rootedandrising@walkersglobal.com.