Self-employed with a newborn + toddler: shld I be working?!

[chummymummy7]

I'm a freelance self-employed copywriter/PR. DD1 is 2.5 years, DD2 is just 10 weeks old.

I've just been offered some well-paid work for 10 days (so would fit into Maternity Allowance Keeping in Touch days). The work will be home-based but quite full-on and time consuming, involving some client conference calls.

DD2 isn't at nursery yet, and needs a lot of love/attention - and I'm breastfeeding DD2. My mum is willing to help as much as necessary and lives 30 mins away. I already feel like I'm taking on a bit too much - and feel guilty every time I turn away from my girls to answer an email- but we need the extra money and this could lead to more work down the line.

Have any of you started up freelance/from-home working with such a young newborn and a toddler who's still at home? How do you make it work without feeling frazzled/guilty/overloaded? Thanks!

If its only for 10 days I think u should go ahead.U hv a couple of good things one is its only for a limited time and u hv ur mum to help you.Dont feel guilty u r not ignoring ur girls and after the contract u could go on a day trip or do something nice with them.

Thanks ishi24 - good suggestion to make up for it with a day trip. I'm just a bit worried about the working/bfeeding challenge. Does anyone have experience?

I have a 5yo, 3yo and 4 month baby. I started a marketing contract from home when ds was only 12 weeks. Was a bit different to yours as it's 5 months but spread out so I have a 2-3 work free days a week.
Do it! Youll manage. I got the help of a student to babysit while I work for a few hours a week. This is my dedicated phone call time so I know it's uninterrupted. Colleagues/ agencies etc know this is the best rime to call. Other communication mostly by email. Bfing was a bit tricky in the early days but expressing some milk and having on hand
in a bottle was useful for me.