After going through the rigmarole of applying for the self-employed maternity allowance – months of letters and phone calls – Annie Ridout has decided to turn down the pay and just work instead…
Author: Annie Ridout
Family
A midwife left this letter by the bed of a new mother after she gave birth. Whether you’re a first, second or third-time mum, the message will still resonate. But prepare to shed some tears, especially if you’ve just given birth…
Family
After two medicalised births, Annie Ridout went in to be induced with her third baby fairly clear on how the birth would unravel. But it took a surprising turn and ended up being the most empowering of all three births, despite an early induction…
Work Life
“Sleep deprivation can be utterly debilitating and to be able to solve that for someone is amazing,” says Rosey Davidson, founder of Just Chill Baby Sleep. Here, we talk mornings, motherhood and sleep…
Mornings
“As an only child, I’m happy in my own company but I do miss the camaraderie with colleagues, the tea break chats and payday lunches.” Sara Vickery-Bragg, founder of Seventeen Minutes, on mornings and working-from-home…
Features
After applying for self-employed Maternity Allowance, Annie Ridout was told she’d be entitled to just £27 a week. Fortunately, she knew this wasn’t true so made the necessary phone calls. But other freelancers won’t – and will instead forgo maternity leave….
Work Life
After a long day ‘at the office’, which is also her home, Annie Ridout started questioning why she’d worked such a long day and missed out on a fun afternoon with friends. And then she was reminded…
Work Life
The start of the summer – wine-fuelled evenings in the garden, BBQs with friends – is exciting. But as it draws to a close, grown-ups can feel the same dread about returning to work that our kids feel about school. Here’s one way to alleviate it…
Mornings
The secret to career success? “Not trying too hard,” says writing consultant Sophie Bradshaw. “When I stopped ‘hustling’ I found that everything just fell into place.” Here, we talk mornings, motherhood and freelancing…
Family
As Annie Ridout’s body becomes transformed by pregnancy, strangers can’t seem to help themselves from commenting. Usually with: “God, you’re huge.” Here’s why the commentary needs to stop…