Comments on: To Be or Not to Be: The Conundrum of a Working Mother in Shanghai http://www.shanghaimamas.com.cn/2008/02/17/to-be-or-not-to-be-the-conundrum-of-a-working-mother-in-shanghai/ The place for parents to find all the ins and outs of Shanghai Sat, 22 Nov 2008 03:05:13 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Olga http://www.shanghaimamas.com.cn/2008/02/17/to-be-or-not-to-be-the-conundrum-of-a-working-mother-in-shanghai/#comment-104 Olga Mon, 28 Jul 2008 07:35:54 +0000 http://www.shanghaimamas.com.cn/2008/02/17/to-be-or-not-to-be-the-conundrum-of-a-working-mother-in-shanghai/#comment-104 I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW,WHERE IN SHANHGAI I CAN TEACH MY 7MOONTH OLD GIRL TO SWIM.IF SOMEBODY HAD THIS EXPIRIENT,PLEASE CAN YOU ADVISE SOME SCOOLE OR PLASE TO START.THANKS I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW,WHERE IN SHANHGAI I CAN TEACH MY 7MOONTH OLD GIRL TO SWIM.IF SOMEBODY HAD THIS EXPIRIENT,PLEASE CAN YOU ADVISE SOME SCOOLE OR PLASE TO START.THANKS

]]> By: Susana http://www.shanghaimamas.com.cn/2008/02/17/to-be-or-not-to-be-the-conundrum-of-a-working-mother-in-shanghai/#comment-97 Susana Sat, 26 Jul 2008 10:10:06 +0000 http://www.shanghaimamas.com.cn/2008/02/17/to-be-or-not-to-be-the-conundrum-of-a-working-mother-in-shanghai/#comment-97 I am in the SAHM camp - was a full time working mom prior to moving to Shanghai and decided to be a SAHM thereafter to baby no. 1 and subsequently baby no. 2. It has been a few years since we first landed in Shanghai and I've been itching to get back to work, though not without misgivings. So I'm still biding my time ... would love to join in any support groups for women in the same, or had been in the same boat, be they SAHM, FTWM or PTWM ! I am in the SAHM camp - was a full time working mom prior to moving to Shanghai and decided to be a SAHM thereafter to baby no. 1 and subsequently baby no. 2. It has been a few years since we first landed in Shanghai and I’ve been itching to get back to work, though not without misgivings. So I’m still biding my time … would love to join in any support groups for women in the same, or had been in the same boat, be they SAHM, FTWM or PTWM !

]]> By: Candy http://www.shanghaimamas.com.cn/2008/02/17/to-be-or-not-to-be-the-conundrum-of-a-working-mother-in-shanghai/#comment-21 Candy Sun, 01 Jun 2008 13:54:16 +0000 http://www.shanghaimamas.com.cn/2008/02/17/to-be-or-not-to-be-the-conundrum-of-a-working-mother-in-shanghai/#comment-21 Apologies ladies for not responding earlier, I only just realised this past weekend that you'd left comments ! Janet - The support group sounds like such a great idea! I too don't have many friends in the same predicament. What are your ideas? IIze - Congrats ! What wonderful news. Take things a day at a time, I find that it really helps to STOP pre-planning and wondering too much about the "what-ifs" :) Apologies ladies for not responding earlier, I only just realised this past weekend that you’d left comments !

Janet - The support group sounds like such a great idea! I too don’t have many friends in the same predicament. What are your ideas?

IIze - Congrats ! What wonderful news. Take things a day at a time, I find that it really helps to STOP pre-planning and wondering too much about the “what-ifs” :)

]]> By: Ilze http://www.shanghaimamas.com.cn/2008/02/17/to-be-or-not-to-be-the-conundrum-of-a-working-mother-in-shanghai/#comment-14 Ilze Mon, 19 May 2008 14:37:54 +0000 http://www.shanghaimamas.com.cn/2008/02/17/to-be-or-not-to-be-the-conundrum-of-a-working-mother-in-shanghai/#comment-14 Much enjoyed your article. Am in your first paragraphs still...in other words, the trailing, working spouse on local terms with a husband who is happy with my 'peanuts' but even happier with my happy self. And now pregnant. Haven't had the 'what will you do with your work' conversation yet, but I guess most people are too flabbergasted hearing we only found out in week 17. Will be very curious to see if I'll have the same experiences you describe, and how I'll get on as a FTWM (I'm still in the phase where I think I will definately continue working...) Much enjoyed your article. Am in your first paragraphs still…in other words, the trailing, working spouse on local terms with a husband who is happy with my ‘peanuts’ but even happier with my happy self. And now pregnant. Haven’t had the ‘what will you do with your work’ conversation yet, but I guess most people are too flabbergasted hearing we only found out in week 17. Will be very curious to see if I’ll have the same experiences you describe, and how I’ll get on as a FTWM (I’m still in the phase where I think I will definately continue working…)

]]> By: Janet http://www.shanghaimamas.com.cn/2008/02/17/to-be-or-not-to-be-the-conundrum-of-a-working-mother-in-shanghai/#comment-10 Janet Mon, 12 May 2008 02:24:26 +0000 http://www.shanghaimamas.com.cn/2008/02/17/to-be-or-not-to-be-the-conundrum-of-a-working-mother-in-shanghai/#comment-10 Thank you for writing this article, as it mirrors what I am currently feeling, as my Back-to-the-office-Date is tomorrow. The past few weeks have been trying for me, as my mind, who knows that I need to get back to work for my sanity and sense of self, battled my heart, who loves being around my daughter and being a part of her everyday life. My husband is also equally supportive of whatever decision I make, let it be being a "tai tai" at home or going back to work, but deep down I know the decision needs to be mine and mine alone. On the other hand, the burden of "making it (whatever the decision is) work" is also painfully mine. I don't have friends who are in the same predicament, and as I asked around for a support group (and found none) someone suggested that I start one. It seems like you already have a group set up - do you think you and your friends would be interested in belonging to one? Thank you for writing this article, as it mirrors what I am currently feeling, as my Back-to-the-office-Date is tomorrow. The past few weeks have been trying for me, as my mind, who knows that I need to get back to work for my sanity and sense of self, battled my heart, who loves being around my daughter and being a part of her everyday life. My husband is also equally supportive of whatever decision I make, let it be being a “tai tai” at home or going back to work, but deep down I know the decision needs to be mine and mine alone. On the other hand, the burden of “making it (whatever the decision is) work” is also painfully mine.

I don’t have friends who are in the same predicament, and as I asked around for a support group (and found none) someone suggested that I start one. It seems like you already have a group set up - do you think you and your friends would be interested in belonging to one?

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