Freelance When You Have A Newborn

Freelancing is hard. Freelancing when you also have a newborn is even harder. You may wonder why anyone would ever voluntarily take on the task of trying to work from home while also raising an infant! I don’t have the answer, but I know from experience that it can be done.

A few years ago, my husband and I welcomed our first child into this world. It was amazing, but getting back to work (and keeping my mind intact) was overwhelming at times, especially when there were so many things to handle as a new parent.

In this article, we’ll talk about five tips that helped me figure out how to freelance while being a mom:

Your baby will not care if your website is perfect or if all deadlines are met
Practice self-care and make time for yourself this includes eating a meal without interruption!
Work around nap time and bedtime schedules so that you can get more done during those precious hours
Find other moms in similar situations who want someone else’s company just as much as yours does;
Connect with them via LinkedIn or Facebook groups for support/advice/guidance on how to deal with stressful situations involving parenthood/work life balance etc.

Q&A: Clients, Podcasts and Post-Baby Freelance Plans

Takeaways
1. Balancing freelancing with newborn care requires careful planning and time management.
2. Establishing a supportive network and seeking help from family or childcare services can alleviate some of the challenges.
3. Communicate with clients about your availability and potential interruptions due to childcare responsibilities.
4. Prioritize self-care to maintain your physical and mental well-being while juggling freelancing and parenting.
5. It’s essential to set realistic expectations and be flexible in your approach to work to accommodate the needs of your newborn.

Table of Contents

1. Be Kind To Yourself

Be Kind To Yourself

You’re doing the best you can and that’s all that matters. We have no control over what others do and in comparison to them, we are all doing fine. Comparisons are never a good idea, even when they feel helpful at first.

Instead of comparing yourself to other people or how your life was before having a baby, focus on what you want now and set goals accordingly.

Balancing freelancing with the responsibilities of maternity leave is no easy task. Our guide on freelancing while on maternity leave offers valuable tips to help you navigate this challenging period and maintain your sanity.

Keep Track Of Everything

If something is happening in your life, make sure it gets written down somewhere so that you can keep track of deadlines and tasks as they arise (and also so that if something goes wrong with one thing then maybe another thing won’t).

2. Be Flexible

Now that you have a newborn, it’s time to be flexible.

Be flexible with your hours. Be flexible with your schedule. Be flexible with your clients. Be flexible with your baby and family, who may need to take priority at times (and who will probably appreciate the extra help). And most importantly, be flexible with yourself:

Take care of yourself so that you don’t feel guilty about spending time away from work or being unable to work as much as before.

When our daughter was born two years ago and we were all adjusting to life as parents for the first time.

My husband went back to work full-time while I worked part-time from home during the day so that he could help out around the house more often than not when she was awake which wasn’t always easy for him either since he had been working long hours prior as well!

3. Prioritize

If you’re going to be a freelancer with a newborn, you must prioritize. You need to make sure that the things that need doing get done, and the things that don’t get done will have a way of getting done eventually.

First of all, make sure you are getting your sleep. This may sound strange at first because everything seems urgent when you have a newborn, but if you don’t take care of yourself then who else will?

Once your energy levels start to come back up again and the baby gets older, then it becomes easier and easier to find time for creative work in between naps and feedings.

Secondly, prioritize what bills need paying first or at least pay them as soon as possible so they don’t pile up in interest!

Other important tasks include: eating healthily (not just healthy food but also making time for yourself at mealtimes), exercising regularly (even if it’s just walking), drinking plenty of water, etc., and cleaning your house/apartment (with or without an extra pair of hands).

Are you eager to work for yourself even during your maternity leave? Discover effective strategies and practical advice in our article on how to work for yourself while on maternity leave, empowering you to pursue your freelance career while balancing your new role as a parent.

4. Take The Work You Can Get

The last thing you want to do is turn down work that pays the bills, even if it’s on a smaller scale than what you’re used to. If someone offers you a project for $200, don’t be afraid to take it if the pay will cover expenses for your family.

When taking on these projects, make sure that they pay promptly and are willing to give you some kind of deposit up front as well. This way, there’s less risk involved with working with them in case anything goes wrong later.

You should also consider asking for contracts or agreements so that both parties know what they’re getting out of any given deal before they sign anything (and because the legalities surrounding freelancing can get pretty confusing).

5. Have A Back-Up Plan For Childcare

Having a backup plan for childcare is an important step to prepare for your freelance work. You’ll want to start preparing at least a few months before you need care, as it can take some time to find the right caregiver and get them set up with all the necessary information.

Here are some things you can do:

Decide if daycare or home care is best for your situation. If possible, try both options out and see which works best. If you decide that home care is right for your family, research local agencies and ask friends and family members what they recommend.

Create an emergency plan in case your regular caregiver isn’t available when needed – having someone in mind who can fill in on short notice will make things easier when life takes an unexpected turn!

6. Join A Community Of Other Freelancers

Once you’ve identified the skills you need to develop, it’s time to start building out your community.

In a world where people are more connected than ever before, it can be tempting to think that any help at all is just a Google search away.

But when it comes to freelancing, this isn’t necessarily true: some problems are best solved with human input and perspective. And if there are people around you who have been through similar challenges and achieved success in their own lives?

Even better! They can offer insight into what worked for them and maybe even some advice on how best to apply those lessons in your situation.

There are several ways of finding like-minded professionals who may become great resources (and friends) as you embark on this journey:

Join online communities focused on freelancers like Freelance Folder, Elance (formerly oDesk), Upwork, or Guru the latter two also allow individuals looking for small business services such as accounting or design services to find them through directory listings posted by other users;

Look up local meetups dedicated specifically to helping freelancers succeed; these events often include panels featuring successful entrepreneurs who share their experiences with attendees along with networking opportunities.

So they could potentially connect directly with someone else who might benefit from hearing about their experience firsthand;

Maternity leave doesn’t have to put your freelance career on hold. Learn how to manage your workload and make the most of your time with our comprehensive guide on freelancing from maternity leave, offering insights and tips to help you maintain your professional growth.

7. Remember Your Baby Will Learn From You When They See You Working Hard

If you find yourself struggling to figure out how to balance everything, remember that babies are learning about time and schedules by watching us work. They are also learning about how to be a good worker, friend, and person by watching us do those things too!

So…if we’re not going to make them wait for the bus because we’re too tired (or lazy) then why should they have any fewer demands on their time than we do?

If we aren’t going to take days off because our boss doesn’t understand what it means when someone says “they’ve been sick” then why should our kids get days off school when they’ve been sick?

Freelancing can provide flexibility for new parents, allowing them to work while taking care of their newborn. Discover the possibilities and challenges of freelancing during this phase in our informative article on freelance when you have a newborn, guiding you through the unique considerations and opportunities.

8. Expect To Have Some Meltdowns, But Also Great Moments Of Fulfillment And Joy

Whether you decide to work from home or not, as a new parent your life will change dramatically. It’s going to be messy and chaotic at times, which is why it’s important not to put unnecessary pressure on yourself or expect too much from yourself right away.

You’ll want to take breaks when you need them (and your employer should allow that), so don’t feel guilty about taking advantage of them!

You might also want help with childcare while freelancing, either because they are available through an employer or because they’re outside the home. If this is something that interests you and fits in with your family’s needs great!

But if not: no biggie! Remember: there are lots of ways for parents to work around having kids and working from home doesn’t even necessarily mean staying at home all day!

First things first: if this sounds like something worth trying for yourself, go ahead and give it a shot! It may turn out better than expected (or maybe even just fine).

Even if nothing comes out of it for now though…it never hurts knowing where one might start looking later on down the road when situations change again.”

9. You’re Doing Great!

You’re doing great!

Be good to yourself. You may find that while you love your newborn, they don’t exactly love working hours or the fact that you have a laptop on your lap most of the time. Take breaks to spend time with them, even if it’s only for an hour a day or so during their nap.

Try to make this time productive as well by brainstorming ideas for projects or catching up on some work-related reading material.

Keep learning new things about your industry and tools in general; it will help you keep growing as a freelancer and bring more value to your clients’ businesses.

If there are any online courses available in this area, sign up for them now before getting bogged down by work and having no time left over!

Many websites provide excellent training materials which can be done at home at your own pace; Lynda is one example (and offers free trials!). I’d also recommend checking out Skillshare classes whenever possible as well the community aspect can be helpful too!

Freelancing while raising a newborn requires careful planning and effective time management. Our article on freelance when you have a newborn shares practical tips and strategies to help you navigate the demands of parenthood while maintaining a successful freelance career.

10. Set Realistic Expectations For Yourself And Your Client(S)

The more realistic the expectations, the less likely you are to be disappointed. For example, if you’re a freelance writer who writes nonfiction books under a pseudonym and has always enjoyed working from home in your pajamas before having children (and/or after).

Then it would be unrealistic to expect yourself to continue that routine while also working on book projects.

No matter how much work ethic or motivation you have even if you’ve written this book before with no problems it may not be possible for anyone (not even Stephen King!) to do two things at once when there’s a newborn around. So plan accordingly!

Establish clear boundaries with stakeholders and other team members

Conclusion

Congratulations on becoming a new parent! I’m sure this new chapter in your life is going to be filled with many ups and downs, but you will get through it if you put yourself first.

Remember that your child’s happiness and healthy development are dependent on your happiness, so don’t feel guilty about taking time out of your day to take care of yourself as well.

And remember that even though there may be times when you’re not freelancing anymore because you’re just too tired (and trust me, those days will come).

It doesn’t mean you have failed at being the best mom ever – it just means that right now, this moment in time isn’t for work. You can always come back later!

FAQs

Here are some frequently asked questions about freelancing and parenting:

Q: How can I effectively manage my time as a freelancer and a parent?

A: Time management is crucial. Establish a schedule, set priorities, delegate tasks when possible, and consider childcare options to create dedicated work time.

Q: How do I communicate my availability to clients as a freelancer with a baby?

A: Clearly communicate your working hours and availability to clients, manage expectations, and be transparent about potential interruptions or adjustments due to childcare responsibilities.

Q: What are some strategies for maintaining work-life balance as a freelancer and a parent?

A: Set boundaries, create a dedicated workspace, practice self-care, and involve your partner or support network in sharing parenting responsibilities.

Q: How can I handle deadlines and unpredictable baby-related interruptions?

A: Plan ahead, communicate with clients about potential disruptions, build in buffer time for unexpected situations, and consider outsourcing or collaborating with other freelancers when needed.

Q: What are some resources or communities that can offer support for freelancing parents?

A: Look for online communities, forums, or social media groups specifically tailored to freelancing parents, where you can connect with others, share experiences, and seek advice.

Costantine Edward

Costantine Edward is a digital marketing expert, freelance writer, and entrepreneur who helps people attain financial freedom. I’ve been working in marketing since I was 18 years old and have managed to build a successful career doing what I love.