Okay, who works from home and what do you do?

[TooTicky]

I need positive "you can do this too!" kind of stories if poss...

I do.

I'm a freelance pharmaceutical/medical researcher and writer.

Most of my work comes from my old employer and I have a couple of smaller clients as well.

I work probably a good 4 days a week - sometimes more when I'm really busy.

Oh sorry:

Children are 6, 4 and 2.

None of them went into any sort of childcare until they were 2. THey only did/do 3 mornings until they go to school nursery and then do 3 mornings and 5 afternoons.

So atm, ds1 is in full time school, ds2 does 3 mornings and 5 afternoons adn ds3 does 3 mornings.

It's getting easier and easier as they get closer to school.

It's hard, hard work but the best option for me. I get to do school runs, reading in school, PTA committee, shopping in the week in term time is like heaven (I hardly ever shop on a Saturday with the rest of the world!).

lucyellensmum - you could do market research transcription or analysis. You'd be good for a medical/healthcare agency. You would get taped interviews (mostly digital now actually) and you would either transcribe it word for word or you would 'analyse' it which is a bit more tricky but not that difficult.

Look up medical market research and approach the companies to ask them if they use freelancers. You can get paid per recording and they send it to you, you type it at home adn email it back.

I do a bit of this on top of all the other stuff I do.

Have you thought about becoming a Phoenix Trader instead? Its something that can easily be done around children as other Mum's will love the product and it involves no sales technique (or I wouldn't be doing it!) as the product sells itself. It has great potential. Check out their website on phoenix-trading.co.uk. If you want someone to sponsor you I'd be happy to or you may find someone in your area can.

ditto what gobbledigook says I'm also freelance researcher (although consumer/fmcg).
And transcribing research tapes is a great idea for you - not badly paid and easy to fit round things - you could do it eves only at first, I think- all you need is a computer and a good transcibing programme I guess.

I love working from home. Work 2 days a week (kids with c/m) then often do weekend/eves as well. DOn't ever plan to go back to a proper job.

I do Usborne Book at Home - fit it in around the family (currently on mat leave from civil service) ds1 3.6 is in nursery 3 days a week and dt's home all the time (16 weeks)

I do toddler group, baby groups, nurserys, nursery fairs and daytime parties and the dt's come with me and when dh is home in the evenings I do parties then. Family always come first and I fit it in around them. Actually more of a social than work

Another journalist - I juggle my hours a lot. Have no formal childcare over this summer holiday as my lovely Polish mother's help has got a full-time job now. My mum helps out and dh who also works at home shares the load. In Sept dd will go to nursery for three mornings, which she is dying to do. I have my own little office at home.
I feel very, very lucky to be able to do this.

Children five and two btw.
Gobbledegook et al, my cousin is a medical writer, I'd never heard of any others!

Civil Service, I do three days at home and one day in the office. Think in Septemeber I'll need to do at least another day in the office. In terms of children it is fantastic, but I do sometimes feel I fit my work round all other arangements (like coffee mornings and things) which can feel quite chaotic workwise. BUT, the flexibilty would be a lot to gove up.

Also a linguist working at home while DS (3) is at c/m or nursery. Works OK most of the time, except when illness (DS or c/m) or weather (snow/floods) mess it up. Much better than an office with masses of freedom and flexibility. But I do end up working in the evening and weekends a lot.

I had an idea for a baby product,(the Baby Feed Wheel), and that led to me starting a small business that I run from home.

Dd is 4, and will start school in September, when I'm hoping to put in longer and more regular hours. At the moment I try to work during the mornings when dd is at nursery, and in the evenings. Doesn't always go to plan, though, and sometimes emails have to be answered/orders packed in afternoons etc, when poor dd is plonked in front of the TV (or 'helps' me!).

It's a lot of work for zilcho (financial)reward at the moment, but I'm really chuffed that I'm building up a business: and seeing my products for sale in shops is brill!

just looked at the betty - could have really done with that when dt's were newborn, we ended up with a wipe clean noticeboard cos couldn't remember which twin had feed when

Yet another writer, also Avon rep and market trader - and newly-qualified weddings celebrant but haven't had any bookings for that yet. DS goes to nursery two days a week so Friday is market day and Tuesday is running around and doing stuff day. Oh and his dad looks after him on Friday nights so I can go and work at the local music venue, and either his dad or his grandparents sometimes step in when an extra job appears.

I'd advise doing something like Avon/Bettaware/Phoenix as a kind of additonaol income strandbut pick your MLM company carefully. SOme of them are harder to make work than others, and some charge you too much to join.

I work in sports PR. One day at home, one day in the office. I love my kids but this job keeps my sanity in check and I LOVE IT!!!

Is a weddings celebrant like a registrar?
Can you legally marry folk madamez?

Moondog: only if I lived in Scotland, which I don't - humanist weddings legal in Scotland but not (yet) in England. WHat I do is compose the ceremony (in association with the couple) and perform it, but if you want to be legally married you have to call the registrar in.
Mind you I also do commitment ceremonies/vows renewals etc.

Oh interesting..
(Didn't know that about humanist weddings in Scotland)

If you don't mind me asking,I thought you weren't into lifelong commitmnet? Just wondred how you reconcile personal beliefs with your job?

MD, don't mind you asking at all. I'm not into lifelong commitment or monogamy for me but perfectly happy for other people to do what makes them happy (also, humanist ceremonies are often like handfastings where a couple agree to commit for a year and then renew. But I digress).

Really, an unmarried and never-going-to-marry wedding celebrant is no wierder than a male midwife

You're probably right.

Do a bit of work from home to help DH as he works from home doing accountancy and manage/rent out our holiday apartment.

TooTicky and Lucyellensmum:

I mainly do proofreading of translations, I get the work from regular clients.

I agree the proofreading adverts look a bit dodgy.

I'm a Freelance Writer and Journalist which encompasses loads of different topics including blogging and writing for national newspapers and magazines. It's very rewarding and flexible, although it has become a lot easier since my youngest ds started school this September. I've just started as a Phoenix Trader to fill in the gaps between writing commissions.

Freelance journalist, 2 days a week from home, although I've been winding it own for some time now as it's not really want I want to do. I consider myself pretty much a SAHM, as I work mostly in the evenings and a couple of hours here and there when my son is at nursery (only goes 3 afternoons a week, 12.30-3pm).