by Rachel Smith
24 April 2015
Many of us have probably found ourselves on deadline but having to deal with an aging parent, a sick spouse or kids. In my case, it’s an eight-month-old who needs me constantly, and with my mat leave finishing and the bills piling up, it’s time to go back to work. I’m drumming up business, but with no money coming in immediately, do I pay for care? What are the best options for childcare when you’re freelance? How can I balance freelancing with my family? Here’s what I’ve considered:
Nanny. Our home is open plan so while I like the idea of a dedicated childminder, I worry this would be a bad idea. Will Charlie see me and be calling for me? Will I be distracted by him or thinking the nanny’s not doing things like I would? As for organising interviews – well, that’s going to be particularly tricky because there are no guarantees an eight-month-old baby will agree to a nap!
Co-sharing nannies. I briefly flirted with this idea with a friend whose baby is due this week, with the idea that the nanny would operate out of her home and I’d drop Charlie there, but she’s decided on daycare now so that’s out.
Mum care swaps. A few mums have talked to me about doing this – taking on each other’s kids while the other works, then swapping. It’s an attractive proposition simply because it’s affordable, it’s someone you trust and someone who knows your kid.
Calling in the folks. If your parents are up for regular child-minding, great. Mine are for one day a week, so I could technically organise interviews in that time – but if you can’t? What happens then?
Daycare. We haven’t put our name down (because I felt Charlie was too young) but now I’m wondering if that’s a mistake. If I had two days in a daycare centre nearby, I’d have 2 dedicated days at home working. I’ve also looked into family daycare, but again – waiting lists (which I’m not on).
Workspaces with creches. I found one in Five Dock – Bubs With Boardrooms – which apparently offers open plan areas in which to work or private offices (good for interviews!). You also get access to wifi and a kitchen and also, a creche where you can put your child that’s manned by mums and experienced carers, according to the company’s website. Prices are around $90 for a full-day session which includes wifi, printing/scanning, kitchen facilities and access to the creche, and that’s a whole lot cheaper than a nanny and just that bit cheaper than daycare.
I’d love to open this one up to the floor – so how do you manage it? Did you freelance when your kids were babies, or do you have babies at the moment you work around? Any tips you can give a first-time mother would be great!
I have done this on and off for four years. It’s a juggle for sure, but also depends how much work you take on. Currently I do interviews while my son naps, write also while he naps, and sometimes do interviews/write in the early evening straight after he goes to bed. I have just hired a nanny for a half day on Fridays. She takes my son to the park while I write at home, or I go to a cafe to write while they stay here – or we do a mix of both. He is two and will go to preschool next year when he’s three. I am hoping to muddle through until then. Also – I find people are usually understanding if you have to reschedule an interview if they know you have young children, as often they do too!
Sounds like you’ve got a great balance there, Nicola. I keep coming back to the nanny idea myself, even for just a day – that’s what appeals to me most as while he’s so young.
I only started freelancing after having my first daughter, so this juggle is all I’ve known. And it’s really hard at times. I’ve done the whole thing of trying to sneak in some writing/interviews/research while looking after the kids – and that’s OK sometimes, but their positive reactions towards it aren’t guaranteed. I’ve also had my mum help out, I’ve used childcare a little bit, and they’ve both been helpful options. (But as you say, inevitably people are free to be interviewed on the other days, or not during the child-free hours you have!) At the moment my husband stays home with the kids while I work and it’s great (except when the kids are noisy during an interview – at which point I have to quickly run outside), but obviously won’t work for everyone. Every option has its ups and downs … just like parenting!
So true Megan. Am loving your blog by the way! How’s your hubby liking the switch, is it finding it a big challenge?
Hi Rachel,
Congratulations on your first baby, my second child is 7 and 1/2 months, very close to your’s!
I also started freelancing after my daughter (now 3) was born. It was a lot easier with one as I’d jump into writing as soon as she napped. I booked her in for one day a week at daycare once she was 15-months and tried to book interviews for that day. I also would attempt to do a lot of my interviews via email to cut out the awkwardness of kiddie interruptions! Most people are receptive to this as it gives them a chance to think about their answers too, I guess.
I also have relied on my parents from time to time, which has been a big help.
When I have a big piece due, as soon as my babies are asleep, I sit down to write in the evening for a couple of hours. On the weekend, the kids can have some daddy time at the park while I hammer out some more words. You just have to be really creative and work in short spurts of time!
Plus, when you get the opportunity, you go for it. There is no time to waste! Helps me through my procrastination tendencies, that is for sure.
I am currently writing this as my babies nap hence the word vomit, sorry if this has little rhyme or reason but wanted to share! My little one is awake, better dash!
Good luck, thanks for sharing your considerations too. They were interesting! Love the blog posts.
Thanks Lisa. It’s such a cute age, isn’t it? 🙂 And hope your 3yo has taken to being a big sister without too much angst!
Really appreciate your input – interesting that you held off on daycare til your daughter was 15 months. (I might be ready to do it by then, haha.)
I agree that working around him it’s going to help me stop procrastinating. I can already get so much done in a ten-minute catnap it’s amazing – so I imagine work will be much the same.
Glad you’re enjoying the blog as well!
I started freelancing when my third child was about 15 months. She goes to Family Day Care. I find it the next best thing to being at home with you, as long as you find a carer that you (and your bub) connect with. My daughter loves her carer so much – she asks to go there on the days she’s at home with me. : /
I also used creches with my older two, while it’s a bit more reliable, it’s also quite a bit more expensive. Family Day Care is much more affordable as you only pay for the hours that you use, while crèche you pay for the full day – so it’s a daily rate but calculated by billing for 11.5 hours. My daughter goes from 9am till 5pm – so I pay for 8 hours, which is already a saving of (roughly) $30/day. Makes a difference when you’re coming back from having little or no income.
Unless you have a big house or a completely separate area, I wouldn’t recommend a nanny at your place. Many years ago, when I was a student, I used to nanny for an interior designer and this was exactly the circumstances of this job. When the baby was still very small, it was fine, but as she got older and the baby came to know her mother was there, it was difficult at times. In the end, she found some office space not far from home and would work there.
You’ll find the best option for your family, but my advice would be to get your name on the waiting lists, even if you’re not sure. It gives you much more choice, than if you are not on.
Good luck with it!
Thanks for weighing in Collette – I didn’t know all that about family daycare. I did get wind of a good one near me, but someone told me even if you find one you like, you have to be on a wait list so you might not get a place. But I do like the idea of it better than daycare so will look into it further.
I love the idea of a nanny, but my concerns are that it won’t work – our house is just too small and far too open plan! 🙂
I worked very little until all three of my kids started primary school. I did a little freelance work for my sister-in-law’s firm once the two eldest were at pre-school; I left my baby with my mother-in-law. I also did some contract work from home and was able to work whilst they slept. I was also studying during that time and if I had to go to uni, I either left them with my mother-in-law, or put them into occasional care. Once, I had to take my 6 month old to a tutorial because I just couldn’t get any to care for her. I can tell you, the tutor was NOT happy when she saw me wheeling a stroller into class. I didn’t set myself up as a freelancer until my youngest started primary. However, don’t kid yourself (excuse the pun) that your family need you less as time goes by. Children need just as much love, attention and above all FOOD as they grow! And of course, all the washing, cleaning, cooking, grocery shopping, running to/from activities doesn’t go away. If anything, that increases as well. And toss in 120 hours of Learner driving once the youngest hits 16. No wonder I work all hours and weekends!
Thanks for commenting Sally! My mum was the same; didn’t go back to work properly until we were all settled at primary too. But unfortunately I don’t have that luxury and also, I want to go back because I kind of miss it, if I’m really honest!
I’ve heard from so many people that parenthood doesn’t get easier, either, you just face different challenges – I totally think the food will be a big one. Already my bubba really likes to EAT 🙂
Oops and please excuse the typos – typed at the speed of light, I’m afraid!