Kay Mellor is well known for her exceptional TV and theatre writing, winning many awards and numerous fans along the way. We are huge fans at MMB HQ and are delighted to have her feature both online but also in our printed magazine.
What were or are the biggest challenges you faced going back in to the workplace after children?
Childcare – who was going to pick the kids up from school? Fortunately my mother was brilliant and my husband’s parents were also brilliant and did a lot of the picking up and taking to school.
How do you achieve your work life balance of career woman and mother?
In the early days, my career was about looking after children because I ran a play school. When my kids got to school age, I had gone back to college, so I was at school at the same time my kids were. By the time I became a proper working mother the children were a bit older and could play out while I was writing. My husband then started working at home so he’d look after them too.
If you could give your past self-one piece of advice about being a working mother what would it be?
Don’t sweat the small stuff! Don’t get tied up in things being ironed, dusted and everything being perfect – something has to give. Make sure everyone in the family is pulling their weight, and it’s not just you.
Have your career goals and aspirations altered since becoming a working mother?
I used to make myself career goals every New Year’s Eve – I don’t make them any more!
What are your future goals in your career path in the next few years, what do you hope to achieve?
To try new things – Fat Friends The Musical is a huge new challenge for me and I’m completely out of my comfort zone career wise. I’m trying to juggle that with two brand new TV series’ as well as nurturing new writers to hopefully bring their ideas to the screen.
If you had the power to change one thing in the business market for working mothers, what would you change?
All businesses should have a crèche and some sort of system for picking up children from school and delivering them.
What is the best piece of business advice you have been given?
Listen to those who have been there before and take their advice.
If you could recommend one book to our readers leisure or business what would it be?
There are so many books that have influenced me, I can’t pick just one! I’m currently reading Frazzled by Ruby Wax and I find it both entertaining and informative. I’ve read lots of books on self development but the one that’s influenced me the most is Don’t Sweat The Small Stuff. Ways of Seeing by John Berger is also amazing – It altered the way I live.
Question from previous interviewee Gail Emms (Olympian) – When it gets too much – how do you de-stress?
I de-stress by eating a nice meal, watching a great movie or practising mindfulness. My newest addition is my little dog Happy who is just adorable. He makes me relaxed the minute I see him.
What question would you wish to ask our next working mother who takes this short interview?
As a working mother, you must do a lot of giving emotionally and spiritually. Who gives to you?
Interview with Kay Mellor
#Kay Mellor