Freelancing & new baby Advice

[daisydee]

Jumping the gun a bit as we are only at the trying stage but I am a freelance web designer and me and the oh have decided to try for a baby. How difficult is it to juggle working form home and a new born. At most I'd beable to take a interlude of 2 weeks max before my work load would become unmanageable.

Is this craziliy unrealistic?

I know its going to be tough, but I reckon millions of folk do this. Just wanting some pointers/advice on how best to do this.

[Dino]

It is possible but hard work. I started my business when my second child was born, and have gradually built it up, now they are both at school so it's a lot easier.

I used to work a lot in the evenings when my dh could babysit and when the baby slept. I also ut both my children in nursery a couple of days a week from around 6 months old, so I had at least some proper work time.

It won't say it was easy, it is quite stressful trying to juggle it all, and the housework suffers the most. Working for yourself is the best way though if you are considering having children, you don't have to worry about childcare so much.

hth
Karen

[daisydee]

Cheers Dino. If I do get pregnant (fingers, toes & knees crossed) I was planning on looking into daycare a couple of times a week to let me get work done.

Just needed some reassurance...

Housework suffering is sooooo not the end of the world.

Thank you.

[Arianna]

Hi,

I'm dealing with this right now.

I took 6 weeks maternity leave - from October 1st to Nov 12th - I'm glad I did because by the time October 1st rolled around I was exhausted. I just made sure that everyone knew several months in advance when my maternity leave was - it was on the signature of all my e-mails, was in the newsletters etc. I had the baby on 13th of October and was in hospital for 1 week. Having the extra 4 weeks of not having to work helped me to settle in with having a new baby and enjoy those first 4 weeks as a new mom.

It can be a struggle on a day to day basis but I work around Eithne and her schedule. The other thing I let people know, was that when I returned to work it was going to be for short periods of time and I would not be contactable by telephone, but if they e-mailed me they would get a response within 24 to 48 business hours.

Sometimes I end up working later at night than I'd like or on weekends - but once Eithne is a bit older and more settled, then I won't be doing that anymore. As it is, as of this weekend, if I do any work on the weekend I won't be contacting clients, they will get emails on Monday morning.

I really think that you should take more than 2 weeks - I totally understand why you can't as I do bookkeeping as well as website design - but you will still be adjusting to your baby and your hormones will be all over the place. If at all possible try to take more than 2 weeks.

It is possible to run a business with a new baby - it just takes a lot of patience and alot of hard work.

Good luck with ttc!!!

*HUGS*
Arianna

[daisydee]

I work with a sales person so I'm lucky as in he deals with the clients I just do the work!

I think most of our clients will be understanding and I am trying to implement content management though the sites we update the most to allow me to teach the sales guy how to do small updates to sites.

I've also been stressing to the OH how much he will have to help so that I can get work done. I am very flexible and don't work set hours (but do seem to work 24/7).

Probably jumping the gun as no bun in oven yet - but really wanted some feedback from people in the same boat.

Thanks :kisshands:

[mumishappy]

I can imagine it will be tiring and stressful at times, but more rewarding then having to go out to work and leave baby with a stranger. Phones calls might be the only problem if a baby is crying in the back ground. However if you have a web site I am sure you can put something up on that and then your clients would not mind.
We actually picked our accountant as he said on his site that family is important and when I spoke to him my son was at home ill at the time and he did not mind that I had to cut our conversation short because of tending to his needs. THAT is what sold him to us..... family spirit is important to us so I am sure you will be fine, and good luck and have fun at the 'trying stage'
luv C x

[daisydee]

This is definatley the fun bit :-) I suppose everyone just works and finds a way to suit them. Just seem to have hundreds of questions about daft stuff and I don't want to let anyone know we are trying - but still need advice and a bit of reassurance.

Thanks a million for all the feedback.

[mumishappy]

That is why asking question in a forum is great, as people on forums will say it like it is where as friends and family usually give advice that they think YOU might want. I really think the tiredness, as not all babies sleep ok or have good routines, mine was not....and also the baby needing your attention when you are on the phones will be the biggest problems. Housework goes out of the window, well, the being pefect home sometimes does. As long as your otherhalf helps, and I mean helps not just says he will.... you should be fine. be prepared for hard days, baby teething etc but hey kids make you... crikey I sound really corny now....
Going to get some lucnch
Luv C x