As a freelancing bilingual author and translator and mother of three, I recognise this guilt so much. I chose freelancing, because I wanted to be there for my children, but it has mean that I never truly have time off. Now they're all teenagers and one has gone off to university, the guilt has subsided, but with so many balls in the air, so many irons in the fire, to try to keep ever current as an author, time off still doesn't really exist.
I shall look forward to reading your posts as we write on a similar theme. I tend to describe my stack as "the backside of authoring" 🤓
Thanks for reading and your comment, Lisa. I appreciate it. And I love the way you describe your stack - such a good way of putting it! I'm looking forward to reading your posts too!
And WOW - no wonder! That's an awful lot to juggle. You're so right about freelancers never really having time off (or at least PAID time off, that isn't at the expense of income/output etc); there are certainly advantages to being self-employed, but I think writers (in particular) never truly switch off from work... I often LOOK as though I'm doing anything but work, but my mind is pretty much always mulling over something writing-related!
I'm glad your guilt has subsided a little now, and that you do manage to carve out some time to prioritise author life!
Oh, how this made me miss my babies being babies! I gave birth to the both of them in one year, February and November. It was such a fun time for my husband and I. Now, they’re 17 and 18 and getting closer to being on their own. I’d like to rewind time for just a bit. Anyway, your poem was spot on and beautiful. I hope you print it, put it in a frame and hang it in her room. 🧡
Such a beautiful poem - and I loved reading your piece and considering the 4th trimester from the perspective of Dad! I’m a fellow Etsy poetry prints pioneer and that odd little payment that pops in from time to time is so satisfying isn’t it? Keep writing!
Guilt – oh the guilt! Ever-present! I can relate and I'm certain my husband can too as we both work from home and are self-employed. Parenting and work is a tricky juggle in our house, but admittedly getting somewhat easier as they're getting older and at school and preschool. Such a lovely poem too <3
It really is ever-present! Do you just get used to it?! Ah, yes - getting the balance right is very tricky it seems. Glad that you’re starting to find it easier though. My daughter starts nursery in January, which means I’ll get a couple of days back at least. and thank you - for reading and your kind comment! 😊
You're very welcome! I'm not sure I'm used to the guilt! For me, my work is flexible in that I just need to ensure I've got enough time to reach deadlines, so I can work after hours and weekends if need be and my husband can do most of the parenting during those times. For my husband, he has to work a certain number of hours each week so it's harder for him to drop things and be as present for the kids (during work hours after school anyway), but I suppose that's where it works well for us in that generally I'm flexible through the week. That's not to say it's easy though! Sometimes I really do need to work while the kids are home and wanting to play. We do a lot of negotiation and compromise i.e. I need to do 30 mins of work then we'll play this before starting on dinner. Not possible with a 1-2-year-old though! I realise I've written a novel – sorry about that! Two days from January will be great :)
That sounds a very similar setup to mine (or what will be mine!) It sounds as though you and your partner dovetail well, and have found a system that works 😊 I can imagine it's difficult though, of course!
Ooh, that's a good tip - which I'll keep up my sleeve once we reach the stage where negotiation/compromise becomes possible 😂 Thanks Melissa-Jane! And no worries - I like a detailed reply! 😊
As a freelancing bilingual author and translator and mother of three, I recognise this guilt so much. I chose freelancing, because I wanted to be there for my children, but it has mean that I never truly have time off. Now they're all teenagers and one has gone off to university, the guilt has subsided, but with so many balls in the air, so many irons in the fire, to try to keep ever current as an author, time off still doesn't really exist.
I shall look forward to reading your posts as we write on a similar theme. I tend to describe my stack as "the backside of authoring" 🤓
Thanks for reading and your comment, Lisa. I appreciate it. And I love the way you describe your stack - such a good way of putting it! I'm looking forward to reading your posts too!
And WOW - no wonder! That's an awful lot to juggle. You're so right about freelancers never really having time off (or at least PAID time off, that isn't at the expense of income/output etc); there are certainly advantages to being self-employed, but I think writers (in particular) never truly switch off from work... I often LOOK as though I'm doing anything but work, but my mind is pretty much always mulling over something writing-related!
I'm glad your guilt has subsided a little now, and that you do manage to carve out some time to prioritise author life!
Oh, how this made me miss my babies being babies! I gave birth to the both of them in one year, February and November. It was such a fun time for my husband and I. Now, they’re 17 and 18 and getting closer to being on their own. I’d like to rewind time for just a bit. Anyway, your poem was spot on and beautiful. I hope you print it, put it in a frame and hang it in her room. 🧡
Wow! That must have been intense. I can’t even imagine! But I’m glad you found it a fun time! Thanks Michelle! And that’s a nice idea 😊
Such a beautiful poem - and I loved reading your piece and considering the 4th trimester from the perspective of Dad! I’m a fellow Etsy poetry prints pioneer and that odd little payment that pops in from time to time is so satisfying isn’t it? Keep writing!
Ah thanks Ellie! Thanks for reading and your comment. I really appreciate that. And yes, it really is! Thank you ☺️
Guilt – oh the guilt! Ever-present! I can relate and I'm certain my husband can too as we both work from home and are self-employed. Parenting and work is a tricky juggle in our house, but admittedly getting somewhat easier as they're getting older and at school and preschool. Such a lovely poem too <3
It really is ever-present! Do you just get used to it?! Ah, yes - getting the balance right is very tricky it seems. Glad that you’re starting to find it easier though. My daughter starts nursery in January, which means I’ll get a couple of days back at least. and thank you - for reading and your kind comment! 😊
You're very welcome! I'm not sure I'm used to the guilt! For me, my work is flexible in that I just need to ensure I've got enough time to reach deadlines, so I can work after hours and weekends if need be and my husband can do most of the parenting during those times. For my husband, he has to work a certain number of hours each week so it's harder for him to drop things and be as present for the kids (during work hours after school anyway), but I suppose that's where it works well for us in that generally I'm flexible through the week. That's not to say it's easy though! Sometimes I really do need to work while the kids are home and wanting to play. We do a lot of negotiation and compromise i.e. I need to do 30 mins of work then we'll play this before starting on dinner. Not possible with a 1-2-year-old though! I realise I've written a novel – sorry about that! Two days from January will be great :)
That sounds a very similar setup to mine (or what will be mine!) It sounds as though you and your partner dovetail well, and have found a system that works 😊 I can imagine it's difficult though, of course!
Ooh, that's a good tip - which I'll keep up my sleeve once we reach the stage where negotiation/compromise becomes possible 😂 Thanks Melissa-Jane! And no worries - I like a detailed reply! 😊
I can completely relate to the push-pull of parenthood and writing.
Happy 1st birthday to your daughter!