Joanne is 35 and lives with husband Tony and 3 children - Xander (5), Adrian (3) and Amelie (8 months).
Tony works full-time and Joanne works from home on her own business.
Xander started kindergarten this year, Adrian is at day care twice a week and Amelie is enjoying being a baby.
Joanne Akkari
After having Xander and then Adrian I left the corporate world of marketing to design invitations especially for children as I realised just how convenient it would be to order something so personal without having to leave your front door, especially as a busy mum. It's amazing how your children inspire you! I now run my own online business designing and producing invitations and cards for children (invitingkids.com.au) and have just launched another online store that specialises in wedding stationery (ohlamour.com.au).
I went back to corporate life part-time after having Xander, but after Adrian was born, I felt I needed to spend more time with them and I wanted to pursue my business idea. I thought it would be the ideal scenario but I have to say that working from home is almost impossible to do if you also have to care for the children.
I still find the need to separate the two - otherwise it can be distracting and unproductive for both my work and especially for the kids as I believe that while they are young they need lots of attention. So while Xander is at school, Adrian attends part-time day care and I manage to work around Amelie. I am also very fortunate to have a supportive partner and extended family which is priceless - I couldn't do it without them!
The kids are beautiful. But I found I still had the drive and creative passion to do something for myself - and to keep me sane! The hardest thing is trying to balance the two. When I tell people I work from home, the immediate response is, "Wow, that must be so great!" While it is highly flexible and allows me to work around the kids… routine, it is still work, and so it requires undivided attention. It can also be isolating being at home most of the week.
Adrian attends KU Children's Centre at Chester Hill, and has amazing carers. He also spends Fridays with his grandparents. This is a wonderful opportunity for them to spend that time together as well as giving me another child care option. I find that having both day care and grandparent care is a wonderful balance for the kids.
Amelie is still at home with me, although she will start going to her grandparents in a few months, and then also attend day care in about a year.
When I was looking for child care I really just wanted a clean, warm and caring environment with lots of activities and play and a well-balanced indoor/outdoor routine. Home-made, nutritious hot meals are a bonus! My main priority for my young children is that they get lots of time to play, as these are such precious years. As soon as they start school it's full-on!
I was interested in a KU centre in particular because they are a not-for-profit organisation. This was important to me because I know the money I pay goes straight to the centres, the carers and the children. I wouldn't change a thing about the centre.
I have nothing but praise for Jennifer and all the girls at KU Chester Hill. They truly love what they do. It's such an important job to help care for, nurture and educate future generations. I believe it takes a whole community to raise children - parents cannot to do it alone, so I appreciate their commitment and hard work!
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