When I first found out I was pregnant with my son, everything in my life turned on its head. My priorities and goals shifted: everything had to be about making sure this little one came into the world happy, healthy, and ready to take it over.
And while I’m sure he’ll be doing that pretty soon, the time leading up to his birth was far from easy.
One of the things that kept me going during those tough times was the knowledge that no matter what happened after he arrived, I’d still have some semblance of a career to come back to even if it looked different than it did before.
By taking a few steps as my belly grew bigger and bigger, I managed to hold onto a career over maternity leave by freelance work (something I’d never done before.) Here’s how you too can keep your toes in the water of professional development during this big change in your life:
| Takeaways |
|---|
| 1. Balancing freelancing and maternity leave requires careful planning and setting realistic expectations. |
| 2. Communication with clients is essential to negotiate and establish arrangements for maternity leave. |
| 3. Financial preparation, such as budgeting and saving in advance, is crucial for a stable leave period. |
| 4. Maintaining client relationships during maternity leave involves effective communication and potentially outsourcing work. |
| 5. Transitioning back to freelancing after maternity leave requires gradual easing and prioritizing self-care. |
Build A Reputation Before You Start
Before you jump off into freelance land, build a reputation for yourself. If you haven’t done much work with clients before, do some research on what kind of work is available in your area and decide which project or projects would be most suited to your skillset.
Once you have decided which type of work to pursue, create a portfolio of your best examples and make sure that it’s easy for potential clients to find it online. Your portfolio should include samples of previous client work and testimonials from people who have hired you before.
If possible, give these portfolios away as promotional items at networking events or conferences so people will remember who they met when they see them again later down the track!
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Gather Several Clients In Advance
Let’s get to the nitty-gritty: how do you find clients?
If you’re a writer, blog about your area of expertise. If you’re an artist, post your portfolio on DeviantArt or ArtStation and get feedback from other artists. If you’re good at graphic design, offer to help out friends with their portfolios or websites (for free).
The point here is that by doing this kind of work in advance when it comes time for actual client work and deadlines are approaching fast in real life instead of just on the internet where everything moves slower than molasses.
You’ll already have a network of potential clients who know they want to hire someone like yourself!
Avoid Creating High-Pressure Situations For Yourself
In order to manage your stress levels while trying to earn money, you mustn’t create high-pressure situations for yourself. Don’t overreach. Don’t try to do too much at once or take on projects that are way beyond your capabilities.
Instead of putting pressure on yourself and setting unrealistic targets, focus on one thing at a time instead:
Write one sentence and revise it until it is perfect. Then move on to another sentence in the same piece of writing, then another paragraph, and so on until you have a complete (if not perfect) draft ready for publication or submissions.
If something isn’t coming together as well as you’d like, leave space for improvement later you can always go back later and make revisions if needed!
Be Prepared – And Give Your Family A Break
As you prepare to return to work, make sure your family is ready for you to go back. If you’re going back part-time, find out when the kids have activities and make sure someone can take care of them on those days.
If they are in school, set up a schedule with their teacher so they know who will pick them up and when.
Make sure your transition is smooth by getting enough sleep before returning to work, making sure everything is in order at home (from bills to dishes), and having a plan for after maternity leave (what do you want or need?).
And setting limits on how much of your day gets taken up by freelance tasks (I only do one hour per day).
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Don’t Take On Too Much
Don’t take on too much. This is a hard one, but it’s important to be realistic about the amount of work you can do and still maintain your sanity and your health, which can be compromised by stress.
It may mean having to turn down some projects (which I did), or at least negotiating with clients so they understand that while you’ve got your priorities, their project isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.
Prioritize what needs doing first, second and third. This is a good way of making sure that when you’re faced with multiple tasks at once each task has a priority so you know where to focus first and how long it’s going to take before moving on to something else if necessary.
For example: “I need my client’s website finished by Thursday”. Or “I’m working on this blog post for tomorrow morning – once it’s done then I’ll work on getting these invoices out”.
Work When The Baby Is Napping Or Asleep
If your newborn is still sleeping in the same room as you, you can use the time when she’s asleep or napping to get some work done. This is a great strategy for those of us who work from home and don’t have other people around during these times of the day.
It helps to know what kind of sleeper your baby is so that you can plan accordingly. If it takes your daughter an hour to wind down after she eats, then start working about an hour before bedtime.
And be sure to turn on some white noise if there are loud noises in the house (like a vacuum cleaner).
If it takes her 10 minutes from eating to falling asleep, then start working just before her daytime nap begins, or better yet, while she’s already falling asleep just before her nap begins!
If you want even more flexibility with this approach then consider adding another step: Work during moments when your baby isn’t crying but also isn’t napping (i.e., when she’s awake).
This may require some trial and error because babies’ schedules change often at first and there won’t always be predictable windows for getting things done without interruption by hungry/sleepy/crying babies
Work While They Sleep. When They’re Awake, Work Around Them
Work while they sleep. When they’re awake, work around them. It’s not ideal, but it can be done!
Schedule your work around their nap times (if you can), and plan for how much time you’ll need every day to finish a project so that you don’t have to rush through anything at the last minute when they’re wide awake wanting attention or snacks.
Try to stay in the same room as them so that if something happens with them, or if they need something while you’re working on an important project, you won’t have far to go pick them up or figure out what’s wrong.
Make sure they are safe and secure before starting any important tasks like typing up emails. If possible try turning on some calm music in the background (this isn’t always possible since sometimes our kids love silence just as much as we do).
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Surround Yourself With Like-Minded People
You may not realize it, but by working with other freelancers, you can learn a lot. You can share experiences and commiserate over the day-to-day ups and downs of freelancing.
You can also learn new skills from each other (if one of your colleagues is particularly skilled in a certain area, like SEO or graphic design), as well as share ideas and tips on things that have worked for you in the past.
Even more important than learning these things from others though is having someone to help make your business grow. If you don’t know any of the people who hire in your industry, then how are they going to know about what you do?
By connecting with other freelancers who also work within your field or niche market (or both!), they’ll be able to recommend hiring you if they ever need any work done themselves.
Find A Workspace Outside The Home If You Can
Find a workspace outside the home if you can. I’ve lived in several different cities where I’ve had to work from home: sometimes, it’s been because of necessity, like when I was pregnant or recovering from an injury; other times.
I’ve just been too lazy to figure out how to get to coffee shops or libraries during my commutes.
When possible, find an environment that is quiet and private but still close enough to transport so that you don’t feel isolated in your neighborhood. For example, most people who live in urban areas with public transit access (and plenty of cafes).
Having a place within walking distance of both is ideal. If more than one location works for you your workplace and another area where there are plenty of things going on then consider working at both places regularly!
Consider what kind of workspace best suits your needs before settling down anywhere permanently: do you want something spacious? A desk near windows? What about storage space? Will there be power sockets available nearby?
Remember To Eat And Drink Often, Especially Breastfeeding Mums!
Eat and drink often, especially breastfeeding mums! When you’re breastfeeding a baby, your body needs more energy than usual.
You can’t rely on your usual food choices to give you enough nutrients. You need a balanced diet that includes plenty of protein (meat or fish), iron-rich foods (beans/lentils), and high-calorie foods such as milk, fruit, and vegetables.
Don’t forget to eat breakfast! A healthy breakfast is essential for mental alertness throughout the day. It will also help to keep hunger pangs at bay so that you don’t overeat later in the day when there are no snacks around!
Make Friends With Other Freelancers And Self-Employed Parents
It’s a tough gig, freelancing, especially when you’re a parent. The hours are long, the pay is low, and there’s no job security. So it’s important to know that you aren’t alone out there.
One of the best ways to get through this is by connecting with other self-employed parents who are in similar situations and can help each other out. These connections will come from all walks of life: mothers (and fathers), working moms, stay-at-home moms…you name it!
They will have different skill sets but ultimately have one thing in common: their love for their kids and willingness to do whatever it takes so that those little ones can have the best possible childhoods.
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Have Some ‘me Time’ (Whatever That Means To You) Regularly – It Makes A Big Difference’
Make sure you have regular ‘me time’ during your maternity leave. You never know how long it’s going to last, so it’s important to take advantage of every opportunity you can.
For some people, this might mean setting up a babysitter or nanny and spending an hour or two on yourself each week at home.
For others, it might mean getting out of the house for an afternoon with friends or even going away for a weekend break (if you can afford it). Whatever your definition of ‘me time’ is, don’t be afraid to make it happen!
And once that’s done? Get back into the routine as soon as possible – by scheduling some time each day when you’re not working (even if it’s just 20 minutes) and sticking with it!
Ask For Help. See How Your Partner Can Support You During This Time Of Change
You may be feeling overwhelmed, but don’t be afraid to ask for help. Many people in your life are more than willing to support you during this time of change.
When I was pregnant with my second child, I asked my husband to help me around the house. He took over cleaning our floors and doing laundry while I focused on finishing projects at work and caring for our toddler son.
This allowed me to focus on being productive while also caring for our child without worrying about chores at home.
If you have a partner or family member that can offer up some extra help, take advantage of their generosity and let them know how much it means by thanking them often!
Have A Schedule But Be Prepared To Go With The Flow
While having a schedule isn’t for everyone, it can help you to get things done and avoid procrastination.
My husband and I have our freelance businesses, so we’re working from home together all the time. We have decided that it’s important for us to stick to a schedule so we can avoid stress and burnout.
Our schedule includes:
- Working on our businesses for at least 2 hours in the morning before getting up with our baby (we try not to wake her up; if she wakes up during this time, then we’ll take care of her)
- Doing household chores during lunchtime (daily)
- Spending an hour together after dinner where we talk about how our day went and plan (daily)
Plan For What Will Happen After Maternity Leave Ends
Before you go on maternity leave, make sure to plan out your goals and priorities. What are the things you’d like to accomplish during this time? What are the needs of your baby?
How much time can you spend on work and how much time do you need for yourself and your family? Once both of these questions have been answered, it’s easy to set realistic expectations for what happens after maternity leave ends.
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Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed my story about taking on freelance work while on maternity leave. I’m proud of myself for being able to do this, especially considering how busy everything gets with a new baby.
I had a lot of fun working from home, and it turns out that the extra money I earned was really helpful with all the expenses involved in taking care of my baby. Hopefully, this post inspired you to take on some freelance work during your maternity leave if you can!
Further Reading
Here are some additional resources to explore on the topic of freelancing and maternity leave:
Advice for Maternity Leave as a Freelancer or Self-Employed: Gain insights and practical advice on navigating maternity leave as a freelancer or self-employed individual from experienced professionals.
How to Get More Maternity Leave as a Freelancer: Discover strategies and tips to negotiate and secure extended maternity leave as a freelancer, ensuring a smooth transition during this important period.
Planning Maternity Leave as a Freelancer: Learn how to plan and prepare for maternity leave as a freelancer, including considerations for financial stability, client management, and maintaining work-life balance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Was Your Mental State Like?
My mental state was not great. I was extremely stressed, and it was hard to focus on my work. But I did not have any other option at that time, so I had to put in my best effort.
How Did You Manage Time?
Initially, I used to spend almost all day working on my projects. By the end of the day, I would be exhausted and feel like there was no point in continuing with it anymore.
But then I realized that if I took breaks during the day – for example, for lunch or a walk – then also made sure that these breaks were only 15-20 minutes long each time; then by the end of the day.
I would feel much more refreshed than if I had just worked straight through without any breaks whatsoever!
This strategy helped me stay focused throughout the day rather than getting tired quickly and having a hard time concentrating at all times!
What Was Your Mental State Like?
My mental state was not great. I was extremely stressed, and it was hard to focus on my work. But I did not have any other option at that time, so I had to put in my best effort.
How Did You Manage Time?
Initially, I used to spend almost all day working on my projects. By the end of the day, I would be exhausted and feel like there was no point in continuing with it anymore.
But then I realized that if I took breaks during the day – for example, for lunch or a walk – then also made sure that these breaks were only 15-20 minutes long each time; then by the end of the day.
I would feel much more refreshed than if I had just worked straight through without any breaks whatsoever! This strategy helped me stay focused throughout the day rather than getting tired quickly and having a hard time concentrating at all times!
How do I negotiate maternity leave as a freelancer?
When negotiating maternity leave as a freelancer, it’s crucial to communicate your needs and expectations with clients in advance. Discuss your plans, propose alternative arrangements, and outline how you will manage projects during your absence.
How can I financially prepare for maternity leave as a freelancer?
Financial planning is crucial for freelancers preparing for maternity leave. Start by creating a budget, saving in advance, and exploring options such as disability insurance or setting aside emergency funds to ensure a stable financial situation during the leave.
What steps can I take to maintain client relationships during maternity leave?
To maintain client relationships during maternity leave, keep open lines of communication, provide clients with clear timelines and expectations, and consider collaborating with trusted colleagues or outsourcing work if needed. Regularly update clients on your availability and any changes in project timelines.
How can I transition back to freelancing after maternity leave?
Transitioning back to freelancing after maternity leave requires careful planning and support. Start by gradually easing back into work, setting realistic expectations, and seeking assistance if needed. Prioritize self-care and create a schedule that allows for a healthy work-life balance during this transition period.
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.