Angela Griffin has been in most people’s front rooms having appeared in many much loved shows over the years including CORONATION STREET, HOLBY CITY, BABYFATHER, CUTTING IT and most recently LEWIS. She has also presented her own daily show on Sky 1, ANGELA & FRIENDS as well as EMERGENCY WITH ANGELA GRIFFIN.
What were/are the biggest challenges you faced going back in to the workplace after children?
The biggest challenge was probably the guilt, feeling that I SHOULD be staying home. I love my work so much, and I felt like I wasn’t allowed to say that, that I was supposed to want to spend every second of every day with my kids. My daughter was being looked after by her dad, my mum and my mother-in-law, all of who I trusted implicitly and was really grateful she was forging a bond with. I realise that it was absolutely the right decision for me and my family.
How do you achieve your work life balance of career woman and mother?
I have a really supportive husband. Me working has never been a problem for him and so he helps and encourages. I always take my kids into consideration when negotiating contracts and time off, and it’s very rare that it doesn’t work out. Of course there are times when I wish I was home more, but sometimes there are times when I wish I was at work too.
If you could give your past self one piece of advice about being a working mother what would it be?
I would say, forget the guilt, its pointless.
Have your career goals and aspirations altered since becoming a working mother from that prior to your children?
I think they have changed yes; I am actually more ambitious. I want to make sure that if I’m leaving my kids,I’m making it worth it. I also want my kids to see that I’m happy working, that I enjoy the work, and I can still be a good mum.
What are your future goals in your career path in the next few years, what do you hope to achieve?
I just want to be happy in my roles, be challenged, whether on screen or on stage.
If you had the power to change one thing in the business market for working mothers, what would you change?
If I could change something it would be that brilliant, trustworthy childcare for all that either didn’t cost the earth or could be tax deductible.
What is the best piece of business advice you have been given?
“It’s not rocket science!… well at least not in my business it’s not. Sometimes I would get intimidated, think I didn’t know what I was talking about, or that people would think I was thick as I hadn’t been to Uni, but my business party assured me that I know lots and I’m very experienced, and that most people are just bragging.
What question would you wish to ask our next working mother who takes this short interview?
What is the biggest positive about being a working mother to you? My answer to this would be that it makes me very, very happy, and a happy mum usually means happy kids.
Question asked from Mother before you Helen Gration ex BBC and now Nursery Owner, working mother – Have you any tips for saving time in general day-to-day life?
I always make lists, but I have now made peace with the fact that I will never get to the end of it, because it keeps on growing…..