Jacinda Ardern has released her second book about the struggles of balancing motherhood and a career following the release of her memoir.
The ex-Prime Minister of New Zealand has released a children’s book titled ‘Mum’s Busy Work’. This 32-page story is narrated from the viewpoint of her daughter, Neve.
The narrative delves into Ardern’s experiences with ‘working mom guilt’ following the birth of Neve, her daughter with her husband, Clarke Gayford, in 2017, while she was still in office.
In her memoir, ‘A Different Kind of Power’, Ardern expressed that her proudest roles are ones she will cherish forever—being a mother and a passionate New Zealander.
But her worst fear was waiting for the moment she would hear ‘guilt-inducing words’ from Neve and have to decide which role was more important.
“The feeling of not being with her as much as I should have was a burden I put on myself. This evening, Neve finally posed the question I anticipated: ‘Mummy, why do you need to work so often?'” Ardern shared.
Illustrated by Ruby Jones, a Wellington native famed for her illustration on the TIME magazine cover after the 2019 Christchurch attack, the book reflects her long-standing connection with Ardern.
“My aim is to create art that brings light to everyday scenes and uncovers the ties between ourselves, our communities, and our surroundings,” Jones remarked.
Jacinda Ardern has published her second book, Mum’s Busy Work (pictured), through Penguin Random House
Ardern has been based in Boston in the United States since late 2023 after she resigned as New Zealand Prime Minister.
She has a role at Harvard University but this week took a trip to New York to give a reading of the book for its launch.
Rather than focusing solely on the ‘busy work’ Ardern faced daily as the PM, in the book Neve walks the leader through the emotions of her own week.
The week starts with mum telling Neve she doesn’t always like her job, which made Never think, ‘She looked really tired when she got home.’
‘First bloke’ Clarke Gayford was there for Neve on Tuesday morning while Ardern had already left for work.
Mum manages to come home early on Friday to play hide-and-seek and the three go for a picnic on Saturday.
Ardern works from home on Sunday and when asked by Neve what her job is, she tells her, ‘Looking after everyone, like you.’
The book ends when Monday comes again and shows Neve going from frustrated at the thought of going to daycare to dancing with Ardern in her ‘clippy-cloppy’ work shoes.
Ardern’s new book reflects on the ‘guilt’ she felt raising Neve while serving as New Zealand’s Prime Minister (pictured, Ardern and Clarke Gayford with baby Neve in 2018)
Ardern (pictured) hoped her book would help mothers and children alike understand the emotions of having a working parent
Ardern pictured with Neve while she was serving as New Zealand Prim Minister in 2021
‘Even though day care is fun, it’s still hard not to miss Mum throughout the week! But despite her busy job, there’s always time for stories, time for games, time for hugs, and time for love,’ the book reads.
At the end of the book, Ardern includes a note on putting herself in her daughter’s shoes, writing: ‘This book is based on the words and lessons taught to me by my daughter while I was the prime minister of New Zealand.
‘May every child know that no matter what, they are our life’s greatest work.’
The children’s book and her memoir both offer perspective from both Ardern and Neve to help guide children and mothers through the feelings of working as a parent.
Ardern was New Zealand’s youngest prime minister in 150 years and learned she was pregnant shortly before taking office.
In 2018 she became the second world leader to give birth while in power, following Pakistan’s Benazir Bhutto.
Mum’s Busy work is published by Penguin Random House and is available from $24.99 AUD.
