Is Anyone Self-Employed?

[joules1234]

Hi Im self employed and my 1st baby is due in November. Im a bit worried on how I`m going to cope with keeping my Business going as well as looking after our new arrival? My partner is self employed as well and is going to take 2 weeks off work to help out, but I feel that there is not going to be enough hours in the day to juggle work with baby. Is anyone else going through the same? I need to keep the business going and only work on my own, so cannot get anyone in to help. My mum in law is on hand to help with baby, but I still feel worried. Does anyone recommend anything?

I'm also self employed, although I don't run a business as such. A friend of mine who runs a business got another friend of ours to keep a 'skeleton' business running for her while she took 6 months maternity leave. Basically, the stand in friend answered emails and phone calls, and kept clients informed so people didn't just think that her business had stopped.

I think you'll find it very difficult to work and look after your baby in the first six months - is there any way you can carve some 'maternity leave' for yourself? Nothing can prepare you for the massive transition to motherhood, nor for the overwhelming tiredness you will feel. I don't want to sound like the voice of doom or worry you further, but in my humble opinion you'd be best off trying to take some time off to get to grips with mothering, and put your business on hold for a while. Did you know that self employed people can claim a (small) allowance from the government for 6 months for maternity leave. It's around £100 per week - not much compared to a full time income but better than nothing. Your other option of course is childcare - you say your MIL is on hand - has she volunteered regular hours so you can work? If not you'll need a good childminder or nanny - although you'd be surprised how once the baby is born you probably won't want to hand them over that soon.

Anyway, good luck, and just try not to pressurise yourself once the baby comes.

Hi joules. Both DH and I are self-employed, and we now have a 7 month old DD. I have to say that there was absolutely NO time that I could have spent on work in the first 5 months or so, and even now I'd struggle to find more than enough time to answer a few e-mails or phone calls. Not all babies are as demanding as my DD, but plenty are close!

I wasn't so much running a business, but rather taking contracts for a few months at a time - the last one I had during my pregnancy enabling me to work entirely from home, which was great.

I claimed maternity allowance, which was £106 per week for 6 months, plus child benefit of course.

If you try to claim this and then work AT ALL whilst it is being paid though, then you will lose entitlement to ANY of it.

Thank you so much for your advice! Still not sure what to do, but ive a few weeks to decide. I think Ill have to speak to my other half again (once hes back from working away!) and see what we can sort out! I think the idea of closing it altogether is a no no, but maybe someone to help with calls and emails would be great. Ill maybe speak to my MIL and see if she can help out. Thanks again x

Hi there,
I'm also self employed and wondering what best plan of action is work wise. People say that so much depends on what kind of baby you get. I'm hoping to find an au pair who is doing school runs for another family but has spare time in the day.

I'm also self employed and after careful consideration decided to sub contract my work out for at least the first 3-4 months. I 'interviewed' a whole bunch of people and found a select few who will deal with recent and regular clients and any enquiries that come in.

I'm lucky in that the kind of job I have will allow me to pick up work bit and bit (at some point in 2007).

Having spoken to lots of other self employed mothers, it isn't impossible to juggle a newborn and a business but it is very difficult.

However, only you know what you can financially sustain and how dependent your business is on you. I also contacted all my clients so they know what is going on and have updated information on my website, email reply and business answerphone.

As for childcare, I think it does depend on your child and what your business is but some nurseries will work with you on a casual as and when arrangement.

hi I am also self employed (and a single mum) the fact you can get £100 maternity allowance for 6 months was a huge help. I ended up working flat out right up to my due date and saved cash to see me through for a couple of months. As its true it really does depend on what sort of baby you have.

It also depends what sort of business you deal with and who you are contracted with and how flexible they are prepared to be. A lot of my focused around arts organisations, which does require lots of emails, I tried to be super organised and planned time (usually in the evenings) to go through emails. Phone calls - I just fitted them around when DD was sleeping. If you can, try to limit work activity to a day or two a week otherwise you will end up tired/stressed and baby will pick up on it too.

I hope that helps xx