Mom Illustrated

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The Freelancer’s Conundrum

Posted on | April 16, 2012 | 7 Comments

6:45 in the flipping morning.

QUESTION:
What comes first: the time to work or the money for daycare?

A month back into the working world and I’m caught in the freelancer-with-young-kids conundrum.
Up at 4am to get some work in? check..oh but the kids are gonna get up at 5.
Work during naps? check…oh..but…what naps?
Work after they’re in bed? checkgfkjnzzzzz….

I think that I’m going to have to bite the bullet. The eggs need to be in daycare before the chicken can work. At least twice a week or so. (That metaphor makes no sense. Blame the 4am.)
Any other moms out there tell me how you do it? Reading the blogosphere I’m bombarded with sun drenched photos of happy smiling working moms and chirpy “I’m a WAHM and I LOVE IT!” bios. That’s awesome and everything… but some logistics would be great.
Anyhoo. Gotta go pack some lunches. Happy Monday!

Category: Parenting, Work
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Comments

7 Responses to “The Freelancer’s Conundrum”

  1. Liza
    April 16th, 2012 @ 12:17 pm

    You definately need someone else to watch your kids while you are working. Looking after kids is a job too, how and why should you be expected to do both?

    That being said, I don’t know how to work out the money issue. Maybe, like you said, just bite the bullet and see what happens?

  2. Jana
    April 16th, 2012 @ 1:47 pm

    I agree. Thanks Liza!

  3. Mommy Adventures
    April 16th, 2012 @ 5:07 pm

    TOTALLY AGREE!!!!!! I get my blogging done on Monday nights after the kids go to bed and Aaron goes to Bible study. But I also have my 2.5 year old in family daycare (daycare in a licensed person’s house, rather than a big centre where they don’t actually pay attention to her) once per week. I can then blog for a total of about 1 hour while my son sleeps. Or cries instead of sleeping. Whatever. Luckily over here the government subsidises childcare based on income and if you work (which lucky for me, blogging and writing a book counts as work), the government gives me back 50% of my out of pocket day care expenses.

  4. Kristy Hill
    April 17th, 2012 @ 8:23 am

    I’m a freelance writer and graphic designer as well. I spent six months when my son was just a baby working from home with him home and no daycare. Then he started going to my Mom’s once a week and I kidswapped with a friend (she too mine once a week and I took hers). I did that for a year and it was good and saved me money.

    But now I have my son in daycare, just twice a week and it was best decision I ever made. It’s consistent, it’s a good, long 8-hour day, and he loves being there. My work ethic has greatly improved since I did it – I can concentrate and get so much done in two, 8 hour days and sprinkle an hour here and there during naps or when he’s playing.

    I rarely have to work late in the evenings or weekends like I used to all the time. I have made more money since doing so and so that’s made up for the daycare expense.

    Do it and don’t feel guilty!! It was the best business and Mom decision I ever made! Now with #2 on the way, I’ll be relying on my Mom a lot for the first 6 months and then hope and pray that there will be room in my son’s daycare for baby #2 to join in too. I’ll be devastated if there isn’t because I love where he goes.

  5. Kristy Hill
    April 17th, 2012 @ 8:25 am

    Oh and hire a cleaner – even for once a month. Again… soooooo worth the money spent.

  6. Jana
    April 17th, 2012 @ 9:10 am

    Thanks Kristy! I think that’s the route I’m going to have to take. I just have to try and get a spot for Rowan during the same times as Jack. Gah!
    Cleaner…yes…cleaner. That also seems to come up in talking to efficient working moms.

  7. Ninja Mom
    April 27th, 2012 @ 8:25 pm

    I have hired the TV to babysit the kids. That’s not actually working so well. Um, anyone else got some good advice here? I could use it, too.

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