‘When it comes to children you can’t prepare for every eventuality’

IN the whimsical world of children, where deadlines and clock-in times are immaterial, Gillian O’Sullivan, 36, is blessed with an understanding boss and childminder.

Before Gillian ever arrives in Drumcondra, where she works as a conference organiser, the day has already thrown up fresh challenges for the mother of two.

“With kids, you can’t prepare for every eventuality. You could be in the car, ready to go, when one will throw up, or announce she wants to go to the toilet. You are never going to get out the door on time. That’s why I am very lucky to have an accommodating boss and a childminder who understands a child’s unpredictable nature.”

Gillian’s husband, Aidan McKenna, 31, a self-employed plasterer, has already left for work at 7am when Gillian gets up to rouse two-and-a-half year old Grace and 15-month-old Kate. Her official working day - she works part-time - is from 9am to 1pm. Her boss grants plenty of leeway, so Gillian equally has the choice of working from 10am to 2pm. If she was to arrive in work for 9am, it would involve leaving her house in Lusk, Co Dublin, before 8am, despite travelling just seven miles.

On the way, Grace and Kate are dropped off. Gillian supplies the food - she cooks dinner every evening and usually makes extra to stock up in the freezer for use at the childminder’s. Thankfully, she says, there is no great panic if she is delayed at work in the afternoon, her childminder is easygoing.

Aidan helps out with the entertainment while dinner preparations are underway, and does most of the housework.

They sit down to eat around 7pm, and the kids go to bed at “8.30ish”.

So what would make life easier for the part-time working mum?

“Tax relief,” she says.

“The fact that we are raising the next generation of taxpayers should surely mean we are entitled to some form of tax relief.”

Gillian pays €800 a month for 15-20 hours childcare a week.

Gillian gets annoyed when politicians talk about a Budget surplus, she questions why the money can’t be invested in childcare.

“I would like a third child. Definitely the size of our family has been limited because of childcare costs.”

The importance of hanging on to her work skills is one factor in keeping her in the workforce.

“If I had stayed out of the workforce since Grace was born, there would be nothing to help me get back in. The Government has done nothing to improve the situation of working mums who want to return to work.”