Part-Time Working Mummy by Rachaele Hambleton

She herself says it’s hard to explain how her life seems to go from one shit storm to another. She seems to be the common denominator among all this drama. And the incestuous bedswapping going on among partners and ex-partners sounds like something off a tv show. She kind of glosses over all the drama which happens around them, such as her partner (now husband) being ARRESTED BY HIS OWN COLLEAGUES - like its normal or something. I find it hard to believe that the family would just get attacked from all sides for no reason. Maybe they saw her as a troubled homewrecker, getting her claws into yet another man? She has four children to three different fathers, and a really unstable track record. Does she just have really bad luck? Is she just a martyr to all life throws at her? She makes it sound like the whole town seemingly turned on her and her policeman boyfriend for no reason. It feels like we get quite a one-sided view of her situation. Especially as she had innocent and vulnerable children to think of not just herself. Couldn’t she maybe have taken more responsibility for her decisions and behaviours? It felt almost like wilful self-sabotage at times. But I couldn’t help but think: what an absolute MESS of a life. I did try to remain uncritical, and to refrain from judging a woman who had clearly gone through the absolute ringer. SO much pain!! I felt so sad for her, and ALL the children in the story (herself, her siblings, and her children and step-children) who were victims of adults and their selfish and destructive behaviour. Rachaele’s frank depiction of her life from age 5 when her mother inexplicably left to the current day is nothing short of tragic. I genuinely enjoyed reading this book, even though it was a heart breaking read at several points, and I became really engrossed in Rachaele’s story written in her own words. Framed by Rachaele's own experiences and packed with lessons learned from experience, it's about the best, the worst and the okay times in a 'normal' family.

This audiobook will tackle these issues head on (with plenty of swearing along the way) and show Part-Time Working Mummy's life in all its brilliantly chaotic glory, with epic mess-ups, achievements and everything in between. For Rachaele, blogging is about shining a light on very real ups and downs (from having fun with your beautiful kids and watching them grow to meltdowns, domestic violence, bullying and more). Her message is clear: not everyone is a perfect mum with a nice house, a steady marriage and 2.5 children.

Hundreds of thousands of fans flock to the PTWM blog and Facebook page purely because Rachaele is genuine and incredibly honest and has created a supportive online community where parents (and nonparents) can go for respite. Tales of Heartache, Hope and Humour for Every Kind of Family.

Part-Time Working Mummy by Rachaele Hambleton