self employed, working from home

[emma123456]

I'm fed up.

I miss the daily interaction with people. I miss being able to shout across the office to get someone else's opinion.

I'm fed up with clients that dont respond to my requests for information to complete their work.

I'm fed up being the default cook/cleaner/washer/childcare as well as running my own business just because I'm at home.

I miss being able to put on work clothes and feel like a proper professional. I'd like a Xmas party!

I do however like the independence of managing my time and being around for the kids. I like the extra ££, and I make more doing this than I would working for someone else. I like not having to commute.

Do you enjoy working from home? How do you cope with working solo? How do you keep your motivation and drive?

Thanks

Like you I'm an accountant and have a DH who is away for periods of time at relatively short notice or weekly commuting; I have tried the following- working FT for a company (all the money went on a nanny), not working (found it frustrating), working PT self employed at home (ok), working PT in an office (felt underpaid) and have now settled on a mix of working PT for a company (2.5 days with the 0.5 at home) and then fitting my own business around this at home.

They are two very different roles so there's no conflict of interest, and I have to be quite disciplined about not allowing either one encroach on the other but it gives me the opportunity to be part of a wider organisation on one hand and the flexibility to attend various school events on the other. The downside is the financial aspect as I would be better off doing one or the other, and that I too am the default housekeeper but at the moment it's the best situation for my stress levels.

I also do subcontract work for a local firm so pop round to see them occasionally and meet up with another accountant for lunch every couple of months to talk shop and let off steam. I don't expect that you're anywhere near me (fairly rural East England) but if you are, you'd be welcome to come along too.

This time of year is always bad with various deadlines so the housekeeping goes to pot a bit and work seeps into the weekend but I'll look forward to a bit of time off in Feb.

Can you link up with another firm or small local practice, or look for a part time related job - your finances may suffer but it might be worth it for the social aspect?

Thank you for the perspective. I work full time in the office, and am considering starting my own consulting company. I also enjoy being with other people. Perhaps try different networking forums? Great suggestions upthread.

I went to a coaching/goal thing this week. Met lots of people in similar set ups or running small businesses. That made me feel a part of a wider community.

I love working for myself, although i'm currently on the sick which is the worst bit about self employed. ive got zero money coming in at the moment and theres not much I can do about it, but that's another story.

I love being on my own, so I don't struggle with that side of things. I know what you mean about being expected to do all the house work, look after kids etc, and run a business because you are at home.

Theres been some times (mainly in the run up to Christmas) where i'm stupidly busy, and would like help from my parents, to pick my daughter up from school, just so I can get some extra work done, or look after her in the holidays when she wants my attention but i'm too busy, and I get the feeling they think why? i'm at home, so why cant I do both. It was a lot harder when my daughter was younger, now shes a bit older shes happy to play, or watch tv/her tablet as she knows mummy is working, and i'll arrange at least one day where we can go out so shes not stuck in the house all the time.

with regards to housework, I had got in the routine of getting as much done before my daughter went to school. The main things were out the way, washing put on, dishes in the dishwasher or put away, would quickly give the livingroom a once over, then bathrooms would wait until the weekend, or i'd do them when I was bathing my daughter on an evening. My husband would help on the weekend if other things needed doing, but doing things first thing, helped so much, and I knew they were done and out the way.

Lots of food for thought.. I definitely need to do some networking/coaching. I had previously dismissed it as I don't need/want more work - but I would benefit from just meeting more people. I could also learn from others - including other accountants.