James,* an Academic and Georgina*, a Fashion Designer from London have one child aged 8. Georgina's job is directly impacted by the fashion seasons, production schedule and changing fashion trends. It also involves international travel, but this typically happens at the same time each year and in a condensed period of time. James' work can be very varied - teaching, conferences, thesis work - some work is planned while some work is more fluid. His work also involves international travel. Since their trips are hard to predict, childcare for their son currently consists of school and after-school clubs, combined with play dates. During some of the longer trips when James' is abroad, their son stays with his grandparents. James is the primary carer in the week since Georgina has more travel commitments. They share tasks at the weekend. He is pragmatic that things take longer to do when you have children and this type of arrangement, since it means he has shorter working days. Georgina always tries to leave work on time as much as possible, and has passed up opportunities for more travel or moving abroad since becoming a mother, since she is more interested in spending quality time with her son.
* Real names changed