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Original poster

freelancers' watercooler: anyone else feel like they don't have a "proper" job?

168 replies

hatwoman · 30/08/2011 09:25

I feel in need of a multiple water cooler rant...please join in

summer holidays: juggling and muddling, falling behind, not doing anything properly. I'm so ready for term to start...can't believe it's another week

dh's climbing trip and my deadlines: just as the school holidays ends and I should be able to back to normal routine (working full day Mon and Thur, school hours the other days) dh is going off climbing for a week. I have two deadines in 3 weeks' time, one of which involves standing up infront of a load of people and talking about the work I've been doing over the summmer Hmm

wishing I had a proper job: oh I know all the pluses but I just want an office and colleagues and working hours and child care.

please talk to me and tell me I'm not alone

OP posts:
BeckyBendyLegs · 11/09/2011 18:18

We're back home now :( I miss the sea already. I'd move there if DH didn't work about as far from the sea as you can get and even from here he commutes by train. I do feel very lucky that we can use my dad and stepmother's caravan when it is free for a small fee (to pay for fuel and general upkeep). We love going there. I have fond memories of caravan holidays from my childhood. I'll never forget DS2's comment the first time he went there aged three: 'but we can't stay here there is no upstairs'.

bigbadbarry · 11/09/2011 18:22

you're the first. The last. My everything. La la la.
December 25th! Same as my granny.

Tyrionlovingyourwork · 11/09/2011 23:58

BBBarry - I knew it Grin

Tyrionlovingyourwork · 11/09/2011 23:58

BeckyBendyLegsShock Up until this year we went on holidays for my birthday; now I have a school aged child that is no longer an option. I always picked another night to celebrate once we got home. Christmas Day is hardcore though. So much to do. Shock I was not expecting that. Wine

RachelPross · 12/09/2011 16:07

am in the same position as you, i have 3 dcs and dh works shifts. i am freelance so work school hrs but ds is 6 mths old and teething, productivity reduced to half as he is sat on my lap all the time or he screams the house down. dh also constantly complains the house is a mess as tho i am a housewife not working all day just like him!!!! AAAAARGH!

BeckyBendyLegs · 13/09/2011 07:58

DH has gone to work today (he's going in once a week at the moment during his experimental 'work from home' trial period). Should I feel bad about the next thing I am about to type? Yeahhhh house to just me and DS3 today yeahhh! I don't mind having him working at home but I can't help seething about the fact I am still the only one who does the lunch prep, washing up, cleaning, school runs, childcare except bathtime, etc, etc even though he's at home all day.

Having as birthday on Christmas Day can be a pain but it is also ok as I do tend to milk it for sympathy quite a bit! Feel sorry for me I get my presents wrapped in Christmas paper. Feel sorry for me I won't get any presents at all again for 12 months. Feel sorry for me I'm still unwrapping presents gone midnight after everyone else has finished theirs and gone to bed :)

Tyrionlovingyourwork · 13/09/2011 20:09

Becky - glad your birthday all works out.

I am finding the home all day so housework is largely down to you conundrum a tricky one. The contracts I carry out are all or nothing. I am off this week (or not getting paid but still researching,sorting/emailing etc). In a few weeks I will work really long hours. It is difficult to swap and change.

Also I thought 6 hours was longer than it actually feels. No sooner dropped DS off - I am getting ready to go back. Feeling blessed that I have on only.

I would HATE my DH to work from home as well. Wink

Helenagrace · 13/09/2011 22:26

Ooh is there space at this watercooler for another freelancer?

I love working for myself but really miss talking to other grown ups. Sometimes I just want a moan but I also miss the little hi five moments. We just won another £70k contract beating a big four consultancy and I've no one to really share it with.

Trying to book a babysitter to go out to celebrate but our regular one is off to uni on Sunday.

TalkinPeace2 · 13/09/2011 22:27

WELL DONE YOU

Tyrionlovingyourwork · 13/09/2011 23:22

Great news about the contract Helenagrace. Winning /extending contracts are so important. Well done you too.

Hope you get a babysitter/kids to bed early.

Helenagrace · 14/09/2011 10:36

Thank you.

I'm just trying to write a 3 minute summary of what I do for a networking meeting tomorrow. I never usually have a problem writing stuff like that but this morning I just can't get into it. Heck I'm even contemplating doing the ironing instead!

bigbadbarry · 14/09/2011 10:40

Steady on! (And congratulations on winning your contract)

Bramshott · 14/09/2011 10:53

Ha ha - you have all been having my summer haven't you?!? Too much work (even thought I thought it would quieten down to a manageable amount); too little childcare (because I was going to spend quality time with the kids - not snarl at them to go away and leave me alone); too much stress . . .

Now DD1 is back to school, DD2 has started school, and I've been offered a new contract, starting mid-Nov, working 3 days a week for the same organisation. Still from home, but more 'settled' that my very portfolio existence over the past few years . . .

BeckyBendyLegs · 14/09/2011 14:44

Hello! I've been away for 24-hours under a spreadsheet cloud. My employers, a very respectable academic publisher, or someone who works there at least, decided that they wanted the spreadsheets I spent the latter half of the school hols creating to look 'more pretty' so I've been doing that and it's taken blumin' ages!

Hello Helenagrace congrats on your contract - do you want to do my ironing too? I have a big pile!

Helenagrace · 14/09/2011 17:34

LOL at pretty spreadsheets.

Tyrionlovingyourwork · 16/09/2011 12:33

Been to school assembly and now off for a birthday lunch whilst DC is at school. Having a fab day Grin and having some Wine

Dorset - have you heard back from your job interview?

BeckyBendyLegs · 16/09/2011 15:13

Oh I love my job sometimes, proofreading abstracts for academic books online: 'New and heightened levels of human security have led to large refugees seeking refuge in neighbouring Arab countries.'

HappyHome · 16/09/2011 18:54

Hello everyone, Is there room for another self employed mum in need of some banter!

I love working from home and for myself and could never imagine going back to working 'out there' but working from home does get a bit lonely sometimes! What I don't like is that many of my friends and family don't see what I do as a 'real' job.

Becky I feel your pain my birthday is on the 27th so not quite as bad as yours but close enough to Christmas to get overlooked - It will be even worse this year as its the big 4-0

Helenagrace A big congratulations, well done!

Tyrionlovingyourwork · 17/09/2011 16:13

Hello HappyHome

I know what you mean about feeling lonely. I have decided to get out and about a bit more to talk to adults. MY DH is fab but he just doesn't understand working from home; how difficult it is with a 4 YO present and why the house isn't always pristine. Wider family have no idea and think because I am home, I can't actually be working. Whatever, small price to pay.

I have checked and you 40th is on a Saturday you need to arrange a babysitter and a backup just in case now. Or have a party or even better girls night in.

BeckyBendyLegs · 17/09/2011 17:33

HappyHome you are two days younger than me. I'm going to be 40 on Christmas Day!

bigbadbarry · 17/09/2011 18:53

Hello Happyhome perhaps we need a wee online party for all freelancing from-home MNers turning 40 this Christmas!
Today I have tried to work: I have a deadline for a 90,000-word manuscript the week after next and I really need some family support damnit! But DD3 has decided that daytime sleeping is no longer necessary and today she has mostly clung to me and wailed; I think they just don't see it as real work (they wouldn't cling to DH and wail when he was working. Mostly because he does it in a lovely office with, you know, hot coffee and colleagues!) I managed a whopping 2 hours in total, though it took me all day to do that :(
Red wine and takeaway tomorrow and I am adamant he is going to take them all out somewhere.

bigbadbarry · 17/09/2011 18:54

Tonight! Red wine and takeaway tonight. Obv.

BeckyBendyLegs · 18/09/2011 17:13

I like the party idea!

Today has been a really good day for me, I've had no work really to do except 'catching up' tasks so I've just come back from a lovely bike ride with DS3 attached in his seat on the back of the bike. He talked all the way about the cars, trees, bikes, sky, dogs, shops. It was lovely and relaxing.

HappyHome · 18/09/2011 18:30

Hello!

Just settling down after working at a show all weekend, Chinese takeaway and a glass of wine are now calling me!

This weekend has been really good for me as I've had lots of contact with real human beings customers Smile

The online party sounds like a great idea, turning 40 has never bothered me but as its now getting closer I'm starting to feel as if I should be getting out there and doing more, trying new things and exploring new places - maybe I'm having a midlife crisis Grin

BeckyBendyLegs · 19/09/2011 08:15

I just don't feel like I am nudging 40 - I still feel somewhere in twenties. 40 is something my sister is, not me. Ho hum. Are you planning on doing anything for your birthday?