Any freelancers out there?

[flashingnose]

I'd really appreciate your opinions on this thread

TIA

I'm a freelance writer too but not in journalism. I work in intensive deadline driven bursts - usually after dd and ds are in bed but that can mean working until 4am at times - which isn't funny for anyone.

I reckon if you are interested in the work you can do it come what may but I frequently turn down work ( usually cause it's a project I wouldn't touch with a barge pole but also because sometimes I just can't fit it in). I rarely use the children as an 'excuse' but always just say 'sorry, would love to do it but I'm snowed under at moment and don't want to let you down by missing deadlines, if anything else comes up I'd really appreciate you keeping me in mind.'

It's difficult to say exactly what hours I work. Some weeks I don't do anything at all, other weeks I'm working every hour God sends, roping in DH, Grandparents, any passing friendly face.

It is tough but I wouldn't have it any other way. Like Gobbledigook, I'm waiting for 2008 when dd and ds are both at school - then I reckon I really will have the best of both worlds.

I say you should go for it!!!

I would disagree that you can 'do it come what may', though. Especially if you have to talk to people - that simply isn't feasible with children around IMO.

I work 2 days a week in a 'proper' job (job share) and 2 days a week freelance. Started the arrangement in March. For me it's a temporary arrangement, I know I'm going to want to go back to full time in a year or two, but I wanted to spend more time with dd and also to professionally develop before taking the next full time step.

I like it, I too enjoy the flexibility and I already knew I found projects more exciting than the daily grind. However, I have discovered a few things about myself I probably should already have known - I work best in discussion with others rather than on my own at home; and I have a real problem saying no to an interesting project. I've had to keep a really tight hold on my scheduling.

Dd has 2 days a week childcare, 2 days with dh, 2 days with me. I have to have whole days for freelance work, mostly because of the fact that I'm better at going to them! But I like being able to be upfront about what hours I intend to do onsite.

I do think it takes confidence, mind - you do have to sell your abilities to people a bit.

Motherinferior - totally agree that it is impossible to talk to people with little ones about - luckily, other than the initial briefing and the odd meeting, my job is very self contained and I rarely have to talk to anyone! If I did have to talk/interact with people on a daily basis I would def. have formal childcare organised or it would be impossible.

I think what I meant, but didn't properly express, is that if you have a passion for the work PLUS support then over the SHORT TERM you can make the necessary sacrifices in order to have a freelancer career feasible. In my case, I am prepared to spend a few years working until 4am where necessary and fielding my kids off left, right and centre because I know (or hope) that when they get to school age, I will have more enough time (during the day) to do my job effectively plus be at home for ds and dd. Also, I don't have any choice. My job is freelance in nature whether I want it or not - I spent 14 years working from home before having ds and dd because that's how my job works.

Having said that, it is NOT easy while they are little. When I have a pressing deadline I am a nightmare - and my kids really suffer. At times like that I wonder if I have made the right decision. In many ways it would be easier to have a 'proper' job which involved leaving the house - at least then dd and ds would know where they stood. This way, they never know whether they are going to have a SAHM or a raving, stressed maniac for a mother.

Still think you should go for it, flashingnose.

Oh Zippy, sorry if I snapped; I didn't mean to, I just get very defensive when people assume I 'get a bit of work done' with the Inferiorettes frolicking in the corner (anyone who'd met them for five minutes would realise how unlikely that is!).

And I too adore being freelance. The positives far outweigh the negatives. And it's undeniable that being physically near my kids - which is not that common in London if you do a 'proper job', certainly not the sort of work at the sort of level I used to work - is very comforting. If there's a crisis I can at least be there instantly.

One other thing, though; you do need, I think, to build in some 'slack' time. So you need some evenings, at the very least, which have not been earmarked for work - in case there's a crisis. Even if you have great backup (I don't), everyone you usually draw on may be ill/on holiday/dealing with their own crises at the same time. And also you do need some time, however minimal, for you. I fully recognise that doesn't usually - alas - mean more than an hour or two watching Six Feet Under, but without that life just becomes a routine of work-kids-crash which is simply horrible.

Right, have read through everyone's incredibly useful posts, thank you.

I'm in a slight chicken and egg situation in that I can't afford any childcare until I start earning some money. So I think I shall beg favours off people in the short term until I see just how feasible this is going to be (and also whether anyone wants me to work for them, of course ).

Out of interest, what do you do/plan to do in the school holidays? This is where I could really come unstuck as I have three children...

FN - the summer holidays have actually been a bit of a struggle for me this year. It's normally a quiet part of the year in my 'business' so I didn't expect it to be a problem but this year dh took a week off so I could work and then I got my Mum down for a week. Otherwise I'm doing more evening and weekend working than I would normally.

I'm just bobbing along, dealing with it, exhausted no doubt but financially and career wise doing well and only 3 years now till all the kids in school and next yr ds3 will be in some sort of nursery. Things will get easier in 12 months so it's all been worth it.

If I were you I'd just 'suck it and see' so to speak!! Give it a go and see how it pans out.

I will take some time off, as I would anyway; will send DD1 to DD2's childminder; and will eventually use holiday schemes.

Motherinferior - I didn't think you snapped at all! You were making a very valid point. Nothing drives me dafter than all those comments like 'oooh - working from home, how lovely/perfect/easy'. The only thing worse is having friends who think that because I work from home they can pop in for endless coffees/chats/lunches (or worse I can mind THEIR kids as well) because I'm just 'bobbing' about the house . Ahhh. Feel better now.