Flight attendant and single parent Stella plans ahead when she travels

“After my first child, I had 18 months off flying. Then Air New Zealand started recruiting for experienced flight attendants so I started again as a temp and then moved to full time.

“At that time, I was still married, so it worked out quite well. It’s harder when you are on your own.

“Our company is a bit different because we operate 24/7 and need people all the time. So, if you want to work as a flight attendant, you can’t just say, ‘I can only work nine to three’.  The hours change, and you’ve got to be flexible. It’s five or six in the morning, or you may need to work up to midnight.

“When you’ve got children, you’ve got to be prepared and already have that worked out.

“You do have to worry about what’s in the fridge at home for everyone; making sure the baby has everything. I would normally prepare a couple of casseroles and leave them in the freezer, just so it’s there. You’ve always got a plan for when you are away.

“Shift work is good because I can take my children to school or visit their classrooms in the morning. In the afternoon I might be at work, or I can get to the gym. My kids are both sporty, so I try to be there on a Saturday for sport.

“The kids are so used to my being on shift work. I always tell them what I’m doing, and ring them to make sure they are OK.

“The only time there’s any pressure is birthdays – two in the same month. I don’t have the time or inclination to make the fairy bread – I did that when they were babies.

“With my first child, I tried to organise everything myself. But with my second, I was a bit wiser. Now I’ve got a nanny that comes in, which helps.

“As a solo parent, it’s important for me to have an aim in addition to taking care of my children. My kids see that I’m working, organised, and busy but I spend a lot of time with them too. Having that balance is good for them, and it’s made me a better mother, a better person.”