Hannah Campbell
Tech Worker, Creator behind “The Working Mumlife”, and mother of two young boys
When we first came across Hannah, two things were immediately apparent - her impeccable style and honest representation of the challenge that balancing motherhood with a career brings.
In both aspects, she exudes elegance and models self care while sharing thoughtful insights and small hacks with big impact when juggling childcare responsibilities with your partner.
How has having children informed or changed your current career path?
Honestly, my career hit a bit of a pause button when I got pregnant. I was on a great upward path, but after a challenging pregnancy and two years of maternity leave over five years definitely slowed down my professional growth.
I struggled with that at times, especially seeing my husband thriving at work, even though I knew it wasn't the right time for me to prioritize my career. I just kept telling myself, “your time will come”.
The good news is, now that I'm done having babies, I have a renewed sense of ambition and I feel like I have even more to give because being a mum has taught me so much.
“It’s super power. I'm choosing to focus on all the positives and I'm ready to move forward!”
You’ve recently returned from your second maternity leave and are taking a different approach this time around. What advice do you have for new mums coming back to work in the quest for that elusive balance?
Every family is unique, but I have to admit, after my first maternity leave, I really felt like I lost a bit of myself. This time around, I've made a firm decision: if I'm going to be working and away from my kids during the day, it absolutely has to be meaningful and worth it.
My advice would be:
Set boundaries with your partner - For example we each have 1 day a week where we don’t have to do any childcare.
Make plans - I really don’t like filling my social calendar weeks in advance but if I don’t add some nice things then they don’t happen. Make some nice plans, book a show with friends , a dinner a gig. Something for you that once its booked you can’t cancel.
Time for yourself - Even just an hour at the weekends but make sure you have time to reset. Working and parenting are really full on jobs and you NEED to have down time.
Don’t over complicate things - The weeks when my husband travels and I am working and parenting solo, I don’t cook. I either batch cook before he leaves or I buy prepared meals but I do anything I can for an easy life.
“Do little things that will help you and don’t dwell on it too much".”
Tell us something that is bringing you joy as a mother right now.
I have a 2.5 year age gap between my boys and in the last month (with the youngest now walking) I’ve seen a huge shift in their bond. In the most positive way, they are now playing together, chasing each other and the eldest feels like he is getting something back so he is engaging with the youngest much more.
As a mum of two, that has been the BEST feeling. Makes it all worth it.
How would you describe your approach to fashion and your style?
I LOVE anything that makes me feel good. There are no rules for me. I like to invest in some classic pieces (Good knitwear, a wool coat, leather boots) and mix it up with high street trends. Getting dressed up makes me feel good and I always have more fun when I’ve put in some effort, but equally you can find me in my husband's baggy jumpers at home most of the time.
What do you do for self-care?
I’m a huge advocate of claiming time back for yourself and a little thing that resets me includes having time alone in my house (without doing chores!!). I love writing too, so sitting down with my journal and lighting a candle is heaven.
I’ve also just started having regular facials in the last year or two and it feels incredibly luxurious with added benefits!
Phone off evenings. I text my family to let them know I'm ok (because my mum might panic) and then I switch my phone off for 12 hours.
“In a time where there is so much noise this has really helped me and sometimes when I switch it on, I have no messages; it's a good reminder that we don’t need to be glued to it all the time!”
What are your morning routines like?
They can vary, if I'm in the office and my husband is home I let him fully manage the kids and I get up early and out of the door before the chaos starts. If I am on drop off duty, my son usually comes in about 6:30am and we leave the house by 7:30am. I then have about an hour before work to either gym, do chores or go for a walk and coffee but I will always try and make the most of that time. As a working mum that is my only free time of the day before 8pm.
What are some favorites that you have purchased for yourself or your family recently?
My son is really into board games so we have bought some of our favourite 90’s games. Guess who is becoming a firm favourite and a great way for him to practise adjectives.
We’re also off skiing for the first time as a family so I’ve found some great pieces on vinted for the kids!
Local favorite outings and activities to do with your kids
My Dad (bless his heart) buys us a national trust pass for Christmas every year. It’s incredibly generous and sweet of him and we use it as much as possible. I’ve got two boys so getting outside and burning off some energy is a big part of our weekend.
Otherwise we spend a lot of time at home and in our local park / coffee shops.
We’re happiest just doing every day activities as a family.
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Follow The Working Mumlife on Instagram and see firsthand how Hannah gracefully juggles it all.