Kristy Sturgess is a mum and stepmum who runs various businesses, including Unite me Single Parents Community Hub. She lives with stepdaughter Taylor, 12 years, twins Hunter and Jack, 3 years, Max 7 months and partner, Scott in the Hawkesbury Region of Sydney.

C4K: How did you come up with Unite me?

KS: My original inspiration for Unite me was a friend of mine. She was a single mother of two young daughters and was using dating sites to try to meet someone compatible, not only with herself, but also with her daughters. She was frustrated with the men that were contacting her and were not looking to be part of a family and the time and also with the cost of doing this.

As I researched more into this and spoke to both single mums and dads, I found that there was a lot more that Single Parents wanted and needed. Many were looking for friendships, many for relationships and most wanted expert information to assist them with parenting, health, relationships and other areas.

Along with offering a network hub for parents to seek either or both friendships and relationships, I wanted an open forum for parents to ask questions to other members, share experiences and get expert advice and information. I wanted to give parents affordable online stores that will offer Unite me parents discounts every time they shop.

The charities we support through our 'Putting Back into the Community Program' is inspired by personal circumstances. All of these charities have touched me over the years and it's great to be able to help them.

C4K: Did you take time off with your children? If so how much and was it enough or too much?

KS: With my twins I took off a month before going back two days a week in the office and three days at home, then within two months I was working four days in the office.

For me it wasn't enough time at home with them. I really missed a lot of the smaller things about them, which now I can appreciate being at home with Max.

I travelled from Sydney's North Shore to Surry Hills each day and wasn't getting home until 7pm, so we had to have a Nanny look after them until we got home. After two years I decided that this didn't work for me and decided to change my path to be able to spend the time with them.

C4K: What were your main motivations to return to work and what was the hardest thing about it?

KS: I went back to work due to finances. Although, in the end the more I earned, the more we were paying for daycare and then added to that, the costs of having a Nanny as well. We worked out that 95% of my wages paid for just daycare and the nanny alone and it wasn't worth it for us, particularly with all the stresses as well.

The boys were getting every sickness under the sun from daycare and I had to have a lot of time off to look after them, and was called home from work continuously to collect them.

C4K: Who looks after the children when you're working?

KS: I'm fortunate enough to now be working from home and being able to enjoy Max while he's little.

The twins are at Pre-prep Norwest Christian College five days a week, which they are enjoying. It's great that I can now drop them off and pick them up from school.

My mum is a big carer for the kids as well. She enjoys coming a couple of times a week to take them to school or pick them up especially on the weeks that Scott has to go away for work. She also has Max one night each weekend, so I can catch up on a little sleep.

C4K: What were you looking for in your child care arrangement?

KS: In day care and pre-prep I wanted a small environment, as Jack doesn't settle in large environments. They like getting more attention by having that kind of smaller, nurturing environment.

In choosing a school I was still looking for a small set up, but I wanted it from pre-prep to year 12 and to be focused on the curriculum.

C4K: What are the main benefits of your particular arrangement?

KS:Getting much more time with all of my three children. Max was born with a heart condition and we spend a bit of time at The Children's Hospital Westmead, so working from home has been a godsend!

The twins started daycare when they were one after my mother-in-law who was caring for them passed away suddenly. From the very first day there they ruled the roost. Not sure if it's a twin thing or the blonde hair, blue eyes and their heart melting smiles, but everyone just loved them and had them all wrapped around their little fingers!

For more information on Unite me, go to www.uniteme.com.au

Special offer

Unite me is offering CareforKids.com.au single parents 6 months membership for $74 (50% off) for subscriptions made before May 31 2013.

Parents will get access to all the key services on Unite me, including discount shopping to online brand partners.

To claim your 50% discount, simply subscribe at www.uniteme.com.au and pop in UNITE650 as the promotional code.