to actually want to read about your 'Mother Superior - post-kids ACHIEVEMENTS'?

[Adair]

Clicked on the Discussions of the Day expecting to be cheered by tales of Phds and winning Nobel Prizes etc etc... and hoping to be inspired

instead it's not that kind of thread at all rather things that have changed since being a mum (flabby bellies and changing nappies). Now, much as I absolutely rate motherhood as a skill that I am learning (am a SAHM and value what I do immensely), I'd quite like to hear about the amazing things people have done whilst also being a mother.
To prove we can.
Iykwim.

Anyone want to contribute?

Ha, I thought the same when I clicked on that thread in Discussions of the Day! thank you for starting this one so I can boast tell about my achievement - I co-edited a text book which was published in April last year and is selling well!

It was hard work, especially the Sodding Index, but well worth it. And we (the other editor and me) have done a radio interview about it in America (recorded, not aired yet) and are writing an editorial piece about it for a relevant magazine.

Because of that, I am now also involved in co-authoring a chapter for another book, less of a text book, more for the lay reader but still.

I love this thread - am adding it to my 'Watch' list. You are all very inspiring. Have to dash for the nursery run now but hoping to post again later if I can think of any achievements!

I'm doing a degree with the OU... I started when my youngest was 8 months and will hopefully be finished the year after he starts school

I was an artist BC and now I have a daughter, I can fit in painting and commissions around her. My business has built up and is thriving now! I wouldn't want it any other way, and love the complete break you get from being a mum.
I think i'd go mad if I didn't do something that didn't involve playing with matchbox cars or building a rocket out of loo rolls and tissue boxes!

Am starting evening classes, and am determined to use my hopefully newly acquired practical skill as a base for others and maybe a cottage industry in next few yrs. Not a massive achievement, but a leap of confidence for me as I always talk about things but never have guts to do them. And dd is only 5 mo old, so motherhood is still v new!

Wow. Ok this thread just depresses me. Since having ds I consider getting through day without crying an achievement!

How did you have time/energy? I spend all my spare hours sleeping or working (I am a teacher)

I learned to play piano.
Tried to learn as a child but was hopeless.
Am still not a natural :), but am delighted with my progress, nonetheless.

Oh, but practicallyimperfect - you are working, and I bet you've achieved stuff at work you are proud of... I'm not even doing that really. But I still find this inspiring - I like to think I could achieve lots of these things if I ever got off Mumsnet.

I feel my greatest post child achievement is establishing and enjoying a really great relationship with my sister. Before children I never really saw her, both of us v busy working; then moved 300 miles away from her the month her twins were born; but over the past 12 years we have built up a real friendship; go on holiday together; often spend half term weekends together. so not a business success but a family success; and I'd say she is probably t he most important person in my teenagers' lives after me and dad. Go ladies, go!

practicallyimperfect you spend your days with children even though you have your own - you win.

I have started a business importing and retailing beads and jewellery making items. Took me 2 years of hard slog to make a reasonable profit but am well on my way to having a successful business.
I would never have been brave enough..determined enough...desperate enough to do this pre 2 dcs. I work all hours, often late into the night and over the weekends, but it has meant I can be home for the children.
Its great. I LOVE working for myself and can't imagine ever working for 'someone' again.

First post, how exciting!

I had my DS when I was 17 and split up with his dad pretty much straight away. I started my undergraduate degree when I was 18, finished it when I was 22. During this time I worked in lots of different jobs - bar staff, waitress, clerical officer, call handler, classroom assistant - and in my last couple of years at uni worked 2 jobs as well.

After I finished uni I worked for the NHS for a year part time so I could take my son to and from school. Last year I did the primary teaching postgraduate degree, and currently I'm working as a primary school teacher doing my probation year. I'm 25. I know it doesn't sound like a lot but so bloody pleased with all I've achieved as it's often felt like a huge uphill struggle, especially doing it without a partner.

I trained as a teacher when my dds were 3 and 1 (PGCE). I decided I wanted to do something more worthwhile than I'd done before having children. It was a hard slog, and included a month teaching in Italy, and I took my children with me. I am quite proud of doing that I guess, although it's not as impressive as many people on here!

I truly believe that anyone who works as a teacher/nursery nurse/carer, etc should automatically qualify for sainthood, never mind qualify as a paltry Mother Superior

Thanks! I teach teenagers as well.

I didn't go to uni but when I went back to work after 8 years as a SAHM took some professional qualifications (now have letters after my name), followed by an MBA. DC were 5 and 8 when I went back to work, and 6 and 9 when I started studying again. Did it all with a full time job, two DC at different schools, a DH and a household to continue to run.

I did a PGCE when my older 3 were 6, 4 and 2. It involved spending 6 weeks away from them, which was one of the hardest things I'd done since they were born but also incredibly good at making me find out who I was post-children. I then taught for 2 years, realised that it would kill me if I carried on, and spent a year thinking while we were living abroad.

I decided to retrain so that I could work from home. When we returned from abroad I went straight into a semi-vocational MA and taught part-time at the same time, and have been working full-time in that field for the last 6 years.

It's been fun and busy and all in all a lot more enjoyable for me than when I was only at home with the children.

Forgot to say that the second current career has continued uninterrupted through my 4th pregnancy and the birth and babyhood of DD3.

I went to uni right up to and including my due date and only had 10 days off (that was only because it was half term week). I got a 2:1 and didnt get any essays or work in late.

Everyone said it couldnt be done but I did it so ner ner ner ner to them

When DD1 was 3 and DD2 was 1 1/2 I went to university, got a First Class Honours Degree followed by a PGCE. Never handed in anything late or used having children as an excuse to not do my work. I am now working as a primary teacher and loving it even though it is all a big balancing act at times.
:)

I became a single mother abroad in the county DS was born. It's an acheivement I survived.

Since moving back to the UK I have completed my Psychology AS level and got an A , my level 4 childcare certificate and I'm currently halfway through my 3rd year of Open University.

I recently got promoted at work too - though still broke!