Mommylancer
This is my first week of self-employment, and so far I’m loving it. I know, I know, I’m still in the honeymoon phase. It’s no doubt going to be a roller coaster once things get going. There will be times when it may downright suck. But for the moment I’m reveling in this new situation, and patting myself on the back for having the guts to make it happen. (The fact that I’ve got a few projects in the pipeline, of course, makes it that much more palatable! Anyone else out there need a freelance copywriter?)
Yesterday morning, I got the girls dressed, gave them breakfast and took them to preschool. It was pajama day, and all the kids were in their PJ’s and slippers, many clutching stuffed animals. Elsa and Clio elected to bring Ernie and Cookie monster (sometimes re-dubbed cousin Deklan) along with them. Cute city. Some of the other moms and dads introduced themselves to me, and suddenly the kids that the girls had mentioned — Aidan and Lucy and Matthew and Sophia — seemed like real live people. You know, with parents and everything.
Hanging outside the girls’ classroom was a sign up sheet on a red, construction paper heart, for ice cream sundae toppings to bring in for the Valentine’s Day party. And it pleased me to no end to sign up — for rainbow jimmies, specifically. (That’s sprinkles, for you non-New Englanders out there.) I know it’s nutty that such a small thing could give me so much pleasure, but it’s exactly the sort of engaged-with-my-daughters’-daily-life sort of thing I haven’t been able to do much of until now, and exactly the sort of thing I hoped to do more of as a result of this change. The little things.
After that, I came back home and wrote — my stuff, not copywriting stuff – for a good hour and a half. (More me writing time. Check!) And then, for the rest of the day — not counting a quick trip to the gym — I did “work work.” A few times, I took breaks to come down and say hi to the girls, help with the odd snack request or potty break. We haven’t changed our childcare setup, so the work days are still pretty much covered, and I’m free to spend them working. But I’m here. And at the end of the day, when my work is done, I’m here.
Today has been similarly well-balanced: writing in the early morning, work mid morning to afternoon, mid-day break to read the girls stories and get Elsa down for her nap. Another break to go downstairs and see what the girls and the babysitter were up to. (They were imaginarily flying to Africa. Lucky.) Now, it’s five o’clock — almost quittin’ time — and I’ll make the gals dinner and put them to bed.
I could get used to this.
I’m glad it’s going so well so far. It sounds lovely! As I get a better grip on the parenting gig and as M&R become more little people and less bundle of endless, unmeetable demand, I find myself wishing I were home with them more.
I hope the honeymoon lasts a long, long time.
amen — enjoy!!!!
That sounds great! Ah I love rainbow sprinkles. I am from the South so we call them sprinkles.
I had Eric and Harrison make Valentines for all their little friends and mail them to them. Everyone was so pleased to get them. We stayed up and watched the Charlie Brown Valentine show tonight on ABC. I am really getting into holidays now with them. Eric keeps saying “Valentines!” everytime he sees decorations.
Wow–good for you! My daughter will be starting preschool in September. We picked a preschool close to our house and the train to the city, and I’m planning on asking my boss to go to 90% when the time comes. That way I can do drop off twice a week and get to work a bit late. I know it will be a 10% pay cut for the same amount of work (I’ll still be able to get my work done w/ a little working at night when necessary), but I know I will need to feel connected, just like you describe. You are a wise woman.
That sounds great, balance is so important. As a writer, I notice that the first thing that goes when my life is out of balance is my personal writing time and I am missing it right now. Your schedule sounds perfect.
Jealous!!!
Wonderful on all counts.
Congratulations! I’m a freelance writer too, since having kids… and while it can be a bit isolating sometimes, I mostly just feel so lucky to be able to work from home, on my own terms, with the flexibility I need, and remain engaged for (or at least, hear) much of the day-to-day stuff with my kids. I really hope it works out for you!!