My name is Charlotte, sometimes known as Ms Lottie, occasionally as The Slightly Mad Quilt Lady. This is my blog, where you'll find me writing a lot about my quilting and textile arts and a little about my family's life in a small seaside town in New Zealand. Haere mai!

Tuesday, June 28, 2016

Life and work

My 'real' job, the one that pays a consistent income, is midwifery.  I work a shift or two per week at the local rural hospital in the maternity ward and then sometimes I work as a rural locum, covering the community midwives.  That's what I'm doing at the moment.  And boy, can it kick my butt.

I'm in a very privileged position to not have to work much usually.  My husband often has to go away at short notice, or work long hours for his business, so we need me to be available to look after the kids.  I know not everyone has that luxury and must organise childcare as well as their working lives. I know I'm privileged, but I really know it when I work locum.

I've been involved in three helicopter transfers of sick babies in the last couple of weeks.  Today I need to drive for an hour to visit a bunch of women who live even more rurally than I do.  My children got pulled out of bed at 5.30 am the other day because my husband had to start work early and I was at the hospital with a woman.  It sucks.  But it's exciting and fulfilling and important work too.

I'm trying to remember that.  And I'm trying to catch glimpses of the good life in between the sucky bits.


5 comments:

  1. Been building skeleton parts out of deconstructed fabric prints :) I think I might make an artist after all.....

    I think your job is great. Wish I'd had someone like you here for James. I almost died having him and was hospitalised for a fortnight.

    There's new stuff on my blog and I am going to add another shortly.
    viv

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  2. Bravo you! This is such an important work.

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  3. So beautiful (the photo) and to think you might have missed that had you been living a "normal" life..whatever that is! Big hugs to you as you juggle all your responsibilities Charlotte xo

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  4. Beautiful photo! Nursing is a amazing profession, often fits around family. Lucky community to have you!

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  5. I had midwives for all 3 deliveries and I found it to be such a rewarding experience. Lucky patients to have you! The quilting will be waiting for you.

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