hi ladies,
Interesting that some of you are thinking about going freelance. I am technically freelance at the moment, i.e. I work three days a week for one company (as self-employed, so pay my own tax) and then if other work comes along I squeeze it into the other days or occasionally work over the weekend from home. The one thing I feel put out about is not getting a maternity package. I'll get maternity allowance (same as SMP) but I've had to save up for the rest of my monthly expenses, and will only be able to afford 6 months off.
I also don't get paid if I don't work, so going off sick during this pregnancy is not a good option for me.
The good thing is, that as I pay less tax I can still afford to stick to 3 days a week when I return.
If I was a genuine freelancer without my guaranteed 3 days, I'd need to make sure I was much more flexible or that my clients (employers) would be happy for me to work from home some days. I'm not sure how easy that would be with a child...but you don't know until you try I suppose.
Am actually thinking of taking a full-time job if one is offered to me, so I get sick-pay, paid holidays and a guaranteed job when I return from ML.
Anyway - when did you all get your first booking in appointment? I'm still waiting for mine (8+2 today). And is it bad that I'm already doing the hairband thing with my trousers so early on? Have been eating for England the past week, it's the only thing to help the nausea.