This working mum…

I see you on your first day back from maternity leave sat at your desk, holding back the tears. Everything about work feels like another lifetime ago.
I see you on your phone – checking to see if the children are ok. Photos are sent from the childminder looking after your baby and they bring a bittersweet smile to your face. You feel like you are missing out.
I see you on your lunch break shopping, but not for yourself. You’re buying for your children. You see other mums with their children and you instantly reach for your phone to see photos of your own.
I see you clock watching when it’s near the end of the working day to make sure you leave the office on time so you can battle the journey home to spend a few precious hours with your children.
They see you when you walk through the door as they come running towards you with big smiles and hugs and kisses. You’ve missed them as they have you.
Being a working mum may mean you are not with your children all the time but it certainly doesn’t stop you thinking about them.
This working mum sees you and knows you are doing the best you can to juggle work and a family.
This working mum….is you.
![[AD] We went to the newly opened Cha Sha Kingston a couple of weeks ago, and wow — taste bud adventure unlocked! The boys devoured the masala fries and chicken tikka rolls, while we couldn’t get enough of that epic kebab butter curry 😍🍛.
It’s amazing value for food this tasty (and everyone left happy and VERY full!).
Delicious food, vibrant vibes and incredible value — the perfect combo for your next meal.
📍Cha Sha Kingston
43 Surbiton Road, KT1 2HG
🌐 chasha.co.uk
Other Cha Sha locations in Birmingham, Ilford, Southampton and Wembkey
#ChaSha #ChaShaKingston #KingstonEats #FoodieFinds #UKFoodie #FoodReview #KingstonUponThames #FamilyEats #FamilyDining #FoodieKids](https://suburban-mum.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/574770541_18560351146016840_6855048070839528040_n-180x320.jpg)

![[AD] We’re a cricket-mad family, so we’re buzzing that @thehundred is back this August! 🏏🔥
To get ready, M tried out the official FREE Activity Pack — and it’s brilliant! 🙌
Packed with fun games, creative challenges and sporty tasks, it’s perfect for getting kids hyped whether you’re at home or on the go.
👉Download yours now (link in bio)
@londonspirit @ovalinvincibles #EveryMomentCounts #TheHundred
#EnglandCricket #CricketFamily #TheHundredCricket #LondonBloggers #Cricket #CricketIsLife #kidsfun](https://suburban-mum.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/505472555_18531279601016840_7092520074819907569_n-180x320.jpg)



![[AD - Press visit]
We enjoyed the glorious sunshine this weekend with a trip to Brighton. We went on the @brightoni360official which is right by the sea front.
The i360 pod take a slow journey up, allowing you to take in views across Brighton and the South Downs 450ft above ground. There’s a bar inside with drinks and snacks available to purchase and the experience lasts 25 minutes.
Afterwards, we headed to the open air roller rink for a roller skating session!
The roller rink is:
⭐ Suitable for over 5s
⭐ £6.50 if you have your own skates or £9.50 if you need to hire them
⭐ 45 minutes per session
Full details to visit the i360 + skating
📍 Brighton i360, Lower Kings Road, Brighton BN1 2LN
🚗 Parking nearby (we parked in the Regency Square Car park)
🎟️ Prices start from £25.40 for an adult and £16.90 for a child
🕐 Opening hours are currently Sun-Fri 10.30am-18.30pm and until 19.30pm on Saturdays
☕️ Bar inside the i360, cafe and gift shop
Book tickets here:
https://tickets.brightoni360.co.uk/tickets/?_ga=2.195305772.1869001490.1689671753-1757164059.1689671753/#events?eventid=157](https://suburban-mum.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/417980235_313576471048632_3682382982231216432_n.jpg)

![[AD] ***Summer of fun at Barracudas Activity Camps!****
There is plenty for kids to do at @barracudas_activity_day_camps
From Tennis, Archery, Swimming, Motor Sports and more you can be sure that there will be something for kids aged 4.5-14. ⚽🏈🥅🎾🏓🏎️🏹🏊♂️🏉
You can book on a day by day basis - so it can fit in with any other days out/activities you have planned and there are early drop off and late pickup options available. Barracudas are also Ofsted registered so you can use your Childcare Vouchers too.
⭐⭐⭐Get £20 off a week or £4 off a day using my discount code: MARIA20⭐⭐⭐
#BarracudasActivityDayCamp #BarracudasActivityCamp #BarracudaAmbassadors #SummerHolidays #SchoolHolidays #Summer2023 #SummerCamp #DayCare #Camp #KidsCamp #surreymummy #surreymums #SummerOfFun #ActivityCamps #HolidayCamps #Childcare #SchoolHolidays #schoolholidaycamps](https://suburban-mum.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/353583570_625625966167953_545896259645102575_n.jpg)



![[AD] We have some super exciting news...we have been chosen to be Laser Quest Ambassadors, and the boys are over the moon!
We are really lucky that our local Laser Quest (@laserquestkingston) is just around the corner from us. It means we can pop in of a weekend or anytime during the school holidays, and with summer just around the corner, I know Laser Quest will be one of our go-to places for some family fun.
As well as games of Laser Quest, there are also VR experiences and arcade amusements too. To find out a bit more about how Laser Quest works, you can read my blog post: https://www.suburban-mum.com/laser-quest-kingston/ (clickable link in bio)
Don't forget to keep an eye out for our Laser Quest posts - I'm going to be giving away two family passes to use at Laserquest Kingston!
If you can't wait and want to head down to Laser Quest to try it out, use the code SUMMER30 for 30% off your booking. The code is valid from now until the end of August 2023 and can be used on Laser Quest games and birthday party bookings.
#LaserquestAmbassador #Laserquest #LaserquestKingston #ActivitiesForKids #FamilyFun #DaysOutWithKids #Lasertag #LaserquestVR #Kingston #ThingsToDoInKingston #SurreyFamilyDaysOut #ThingsToDoWithKids #RainyDayFun #SurreyMummy #SurreyLife #LifeWithKids #LifeWithBoys #familyfunday](https://suburban-mum.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/353230107_797358078406942_2405522556733455165_n.jpg)

![[AD] The sun has finally made an appearance and the boys have been making the most of it by spending it
in the garden.
They’re go-to is always football and they’ve been trying to improve their aim and accuracy with the new Messi Foldable Footlball goal from the #MessiTrainingSystem range.
I love the fact the goal is foldable, making it easy to store away when not in use. It is also lightweight so you can effortlessly pack it up and take it to the park or to a friend’s house.
The Messi Foldable Football Goal retails at £36 and can be purchased from @argos
You can read my full review here: https://www.suburban-mum.com/messi-foldable-football-goal/
#TrainLikeMessi #FoldableFootballGoal #FootballSkills #OutdoorFun #LionelMessi #LeoMessi #FootballAtHome #OutdoorKids #JustGetOutside #OutdoorsAndFree #ScreenFreeKids #WhateverTheWeatherKids @flair_gp](https://suburban-mum.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/341194882_615024710178056_41977149395989448_n.jpg)

![[AD] We are absolutely thrilled to announce that we are Barracuda Ambassadors again this year.
With Easter just around the corner, the boys were sent the @barracudas_activity_day_camps new camp kit in preparation for the school holidays.
There’s a wide range of activities for kids aged 4.5 - 14 including Tennis, Archery, Basketball, Arts & Crafts and more.
If you like the sound of Barracudas, find out more over on their website. You can also save £20 a week or £4 a day, using my discount code: MARIA20](https://suburban-mum.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/336812306_765234558514317_685553691647241974_n.jpg)


![[AD - Gifted]
Last weekend we were invited to try out @tsarettaspice’s new Bottomless Brunch menu and I can tell you it was thumbs up all round!
There’s a good choice tapas on offer from Punjabi fish fingers, Indo Chinese Chicken to Spiced Lamb Scotch Eggs and Manchurian Cauliflower (which was amazing!)
If you’re local to Twickenham and fancy giving them a try here’s are the details.
Tsaretta Spice Bottomless Brunch
⭐️£37.50 per head for bottomless Prosecco or cocktail of the day
⭐️£55 per head for bottomless Champagne
⭐️ Food included: 4 tapas selections and dessert or 2 tapas selections, a pav or naanwich and dessert
⭐️ Non-alcohol brunch is also available
Tsaretta Spice
55 Church Street
Twickenham
TW1 3NR
You can also read our full review over on the blog (link in bio)](https://suburban-mum.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/334565436_5960402314015030_663031098700829518_n.jpg)




22 thoughts on “This working mum…”
I’m a working mum & I deal with a lot of guilt about not always being there for Mini M. I have to remind myself I’m showing him the importance of work but also building for our future. We need money to be able to do things as a family xx
I have just started maternity leave to have my first baby in 2 weeks and I know that I will have to go back to work, we can’t afford me not too. It is something I know i’m not going to look forward to. xx #picknmix
This is a lovely post. We all have different circumstances and I admire you for doing what you have to do. You are clearly an Amazing mother.
What a lovely post – I always try to make time to speak to people in my office who are returning to work after maternity leave. I know what it feels like and hopefully can give a message that it is possible to make it work.
Aw, this really resonated. It’s so hard going back, but it’s also nice to have a bit of time away – it gives you chance to appreciate the time you do get. x #KCACOLS
What a lovely post. I went back to work and couldn’t stand this side of it. I lasted three months. We’ve had to make so many sacrifices so I could do that. It feels horrible sometimes doesn’t it. x
Oh this is lovely and was so me when I went back to work after my son. I cried in the toilets on my first day. I was always looking at my phone and desperate for pics from the childminder. It was a relief to give up work when I was pregnant with my second. But I did find it got easier, I hope it does for you xxx #kcacols
Aww I love this Maria!! I understand what you mean as when I had Bella I had a period of time that I was working too and it was hard. I was also constantly checking my phone for updates and looking for photos too. It is really difficult to be apart from your kids. I really like being a SAHM now. It has been lovely so far to spend more quality time with my girls, especially with Sienna that is at home all the time. 🙂 xx
Ah this is just lovely. It’s so so hard leaving them to start with but it does get (a bit) easier. I always remind myself I am setting a good example to them that I am independent and have my own career. Plus after a while it can be kind of nice to have a little break from them – maybe that’s just me! That said, I did go freelance so that I could work two or three days instead of 4 so I could spend more time with them! xx
This is beautiful. I went back to work for a short period after i had my first daughter and I can relate to every word xx
Ah what a beautiful post! Anytime I’m without the kids I am constantly thinking of them like you write about. I’m a SAH mom but I know if I was working outside the house I’d be just like you describe here. #KCACOLS x
This will be me again in a few weeks, a part from I’m working from home and it’s the girls that are going to nursery. I’m going to have constant reminders of them all around me. I think it’s going to be very lonely at times with no colleagues in the room to distract me x #KCACOLS
I’m still finding it hard being at work part time 6 months later. I feel so guilty a lot of the time. Also jealous of your lunch break, I’m lucky if I have 5 minutes to shove a sandwich in teaching.Thanks for linking to #PickNMix x
Awww this is lovely. I hope everything is OK and working life is fine for you 🙂
Gemma xx
I know I have already commented this post but I wanted to come back and say thanks so much for sharing this at #KCACOLS! I’m looking forward to having you again co-hosting with me next week!! 🙂 xx
Such a beautiful and heartfelt post hon. *hugs* I can’t even begin to know what this feels like, but reading this post did make me tear up. Thanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS. Hope you come back again next Sunday.xx #KCACOLS
Oh Maria this is just lovely with a tinge of sadness. I can still remember how it used to feel leaving my boys to go to work.. Thanks for linking up to #PicknMix hon Stevie xx
What a lovely post. I feel every word of it, so heartfelt #kcacols
So true. Lovely post #justanotherlinky
I’m so glad I can work from home – but also that I can get away.
I’m in the middle – somewhere between missing them like crazy and being really relieved to leave them every morning!
Great post. Thanks for linking up to #justanotherlinky xx
This is a great post. I am lucky to be a stay at home mum now atm but totally feel for those who work full time
Thanks for linking up with #justanotherlinky