Georgie Gardner opens up on life as a working mum

When Today news anchor Georgie Gardner announced she would be stepping down from the role she had held for seven years, she broke down live on air.

The audience favourite, known for her quick wit and comic timing, tearfully told viewers it was the "toughest career decision she has ever made", but a necessary one in order to spend more time with her young family.

Just don't describe the move as "taking time off".

"I'm really just changing gears,” Gardner told ninemsn.

A mere two weeks after wrapping her final news reading shift on TODAY, Gardner will be back behind the desk filling in for Peter Overton on the network's 6pm prime time news bulletin.

Gardner said her decision to walk away from what she calls the "most amazing" job in television was tough but made easier when she considered her children.

"My children are seven and about to turn nine. I realise now that as they get older they need me more and I don't want to farm that responsibility out, I want to be there for them."

Working motherhood is something Gardner feels strongly about, labelling the notion of "having it all" as "counterproductive" and "rubbish".

"Plenty of men don't have it all," Gardner said.

"I know plenty of fathers who would love to spend more time with their children but because they are the prime breadwinner they can't."

Gardner said she works to "focus on the positives" of her demanding roles as one of Australia's most-respected news anchors and mother of two.

"I don't necessarily always successfully do it," she said.

"Women put so much pressure on themselves. We don't need to compare ourselves to anyone else."

Gardner also dismissed recent criticism of working mothers from actress Emma Thompson, who said "you can't be a great mum and keep working all the time."

"She's judging people," Gardner said.

"Not everyone has the opportunities that she has. I think sometimes women are too influenced with what other high profile women say – and these are women who aren't living the daily grind.

"Let's face it; I have the luxury of making choices when many other women don't."

And her message appears to be sinking in with fans, with Gardner saying she has been "been absolutely flabbergasted by all the support since announcing my decision."

Author: Natasha Lee, Approving editor: Simon Black