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Original poster

Starting a business before having a baby

74 replies

rumbles78 · 04/01/2018 21:08

I'm considering starting my own business but with a new family on the horizon I'm not sure if I'd be being foolish?
Having worked full-time for years I'm 99% sure I want to run my own business

Does anyone have any experience in this?

OP posts:
TrollTheRespawnJeremy · 04/01/2018 21:12

If you've never been self employed before I think you could find it vvvvvvvvvv stressful.

Can you go part time and launch your business on the side- eventually moving into it full time when it fiscally allows?

gingergenius · 04/01/2018 21:12

Yes. It's fucking hard. Think again

AbsMcGraw · 04/01/2018 23:01

I'm pregnant and just about to start my own. I much prefer the idea of working from home and not having to rely on anyone for childcare. I'm not too worried, nervous or stressed about it. If you're not a stressy persons, you'll be fine Wink

gingergenius · 04/01/2018 23:11

@AbsMcGraw is this a first baby?

PurpleDaisies · 04/01/2018 23:13

What sort of business would it be?

It’s really tough, especially if you’re relying on your income to help pay bills.

marzipancustard · 04/01/2018 23:14

If you're entitled to anything other than SMP at your current job it may make sense to have mat leave whilst still working there because maternity allowance is very hard to live off Sad

PurpleDaisies · 04/01/2018 23:15

abs you don’t actually have any experience in running your own business-what exactly qualifies you to advise the op that it’s fine?

How can you do childcare as well as working?

gingergenius · 04/01/2018 23:17

I have 3 kids and have been self employed for 14 years. You will still need childcare.

In some form or another. Even if it's a child-centred business (I owned/ran a children's play cafe). Trust me!

gingergenius · 04/01/2018 23:19

I was running my business from the maternity ward when I had my third child. It's no picnic!

willisurvive3under2 · 04/01/2018 23:19

@AbsMcGraw I hope you have better luck than me - I've never managed more than 10 minutes' work with DC awake. Working during naps is very stressful as I feel I have a gun to my head and get constantly interrupted by other stuff. Plus you never get any downtime.

AbsMcGraw · 04/01/2018 23:20

@gingergenius yes, it's my first baby.

AbsMcGraw · 04/01/2018 23:21

@PurpleDaisies I currently run my own business but I don't think it will be conducive with a baby, so I am in the process of starting up a different kind of business to tide me over.

AbsMcGraw · 04/01/2018 23:23

@willisurvive3under2 that's why I am changing what kind of business I do. I'm hoping to get as much done as possible before the baby comes, then hopefully it will be plain sailing (crosses fingers).

halfbuffy · 04/01/2018 23:28

I went self employed about a month before getting pregnant. It was tough for the first couple of months after the birth because I had to rebuild relationships but I'm in a good pattern now and find it relatively easy to work and take care of DD...saying that she's not mobile yet so it's all going to change!

sausagerollsrock · 04/01/2018 23:29

I have my own business and have done for 9 years I'm now pregnant with my first baby. I'd think very carefully. You are never 'off' work. I'm contactable nearly all of the time so that I don't miss any work.

The maternity benefits of a self employed women are shocking, I don't know what your business would be in but I can only take 3 months leave due to needing my business to survive (client based- wouldn't wait around 9 months). If you have a current job with good maternity I'd consider hanging around.

You will need extra time for paperwork/tax returns/ stock orders etc.
Running costs of business, the bills are still coming in even if the work isn't.

It does have its upsides but there are many downsides that people just don't see or consider. I'm told regularly that 'it must be lovely to just take time off whenever you want' erm no because I don't get paid. Which brings me to another point. The likelyhood is you will take less time off than if employed. I average 3 weeks a year. My first year in business it was 13 months before i had time off.

I'm sorry this sounds like a pity party for me but just wanted to point out the negatives.

gingergenius · 04/01/2018 23:33

@AbsMcGraw you may be lucky. I hope you are. But don't underestimate the impact a first baby will have on your life.

You sound a bit glib tbh.

I wish you luck but don't bank on everything going exactly as you plan.

gingergenius · 04/01/2018 23:34

@sausagerollsrock me too. To the point now where I have to switch phones off etc! It's hard isn't it?

gingergenius · 04/01/2018 23:36

Also it depends on whether your business is integral to your household expenses or a top-up to your personal expenditure.

AbsMcGraw · 04/01/2018 23:38

@gingergenius I've never lead a conventional lifestyle and I know several women who have managed to continue working from home with kids. However, if it turns out not to be practical, I'm in the fortunate position of not needing to work.

TrollTheRespawnJeremy · 04/01/2018 23:38

If you're self employed and have your own business already then surely you know the ins and outs of this already?

SheGotBetteDavisEyes · 04/01/2018 23:41

I"ve done it OP, but the type of business is key. What is your business idea?

Jjpeston · 04/01/2018 23:42

I did this and it was tough - one thing I'll say is you'll need amazing support from partner and family. And I found it impacted on my mental health - i.e. never being 'off'even to the extent that breastfeeding was a chore - meaning I was always on the phone/ email as well and never experienced that blissful bonding time people talk of. It will not be a walk in the park, at all. But IF you are confident you can make good money from it and can get some sort of balance then go for it. Ask for lots of help tho ok?

INeedNewShoes · 04/01/2018 23:43

I had my first baby in May. In July I had to do a major annual project for a client I can't afford to lose. I am very fortunate that my parents were able to help out, looking after baby between feeds so that I could work.

I'm fortunate that the vast majority of my work is desk based and can be done anywhere.

Since the big project I've only done little bits here and there while DD is napping. One deadline saw me working until 4am. DD woke up for the day at 5:30am.

Now at 8 months, DD is starting two days a week with a childminder as I've got to the point where i must get some concentrated work to both bring money in and to retain clients.

It's not easy but it's possible. I've been lucky to have a chilled out baby who sleeps well which I'm sure has made a huge difference!

gingergenius · 04/01/2018 23:44

@AbsMcGraw then I'd suggest you get on with your Etsy craft hobby and leave the rest of us who actually run legitimate, income-generating businesses and who work day and night to make it work, in peace so we can actually earn a living.

I wish you the absolute best with your money-making hobby but please, don't pretend you're running a business.

gingergenius · 04/01/2018 23:46

I apologise in advance for my rant. @AbsMcGraw's post caused a visceral reaction.

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