Yup. I have joined the working parent army.
After finding out I was pregnant lots of plans had to be considered and discussed, particularly around maternity leave. Something anyone who is/has/will be thinking about in the same situation. And in a small way, the dreaded return to work.
I had my son last year in the middle of a pandemic, didn't have the pregnancy or maternity I wanted. And as a self-employed person, I had to make a choice.
Take a short leave of 3 months and return to work
Take a full year off like other women who are in permanent employment
Why are these the only options for self-employed people? It's even worst for men who are self-employed, who get nothing at all. And the money you get is disgraceful compared to a permanent employee, yet self-employed contribute more in taxes than a permanent employee.
Luckily, we had the money to take the full year off. Sadly, this did mean I had to walk away from a few jobs and a regular client paying on time every month. A risk as the clients would have gone and found someone else by the time I return to work. I knew going on maternity leave was a risk, especially as a self-employed person you technically don't get maternity pay unless you beg the government for it, or if registered as an Ltd. company like I am, you can pay yourself and get some tax back. But on the upside, one of the perks of being self-employed is setting your own hours and expectations and easily fitting it around childcare.
However, It is now 2022, I officially returned to being available to work, part-time, in August 2021 when my son started nursery. Yet, nothing. I had a few potential jobs ghost me, or previous employers say yes and then change their minds later due to internal politics. I am now starting to understand why parents decide to return to work once the kids start school. I love my son and I want to spend as much time with him while he is this little for as long as possible. I have no intentions of missing anything as he grows over a job. And this heartbreaking article about Blue Sky studios really got me thinking about job stability in any role.
In some ways, it's been good as my son had bought home all sorts of bugs (Not covid) from nursery and the whole house ended up getting regular illness throughout autumn. This meant I didn't disappoint clients or potential new employers when I had to take time off to look after my son and husband (and myself at some point). But then there is that little thing called bills, mortgage, food etc.
I am very open and honest with potential employers and clients and set expectations early. But what I have noticed with a lot of job descriptions they say they are flexible, but when you get to talking with them, it's clear they are not flexible and then they disappear into the internet mist. Only for them to pop up again with the exact same job description but with some changes. I am aware there isn't the perfect job that will tick everything on my list, but if I can be flexible then so can an employer/client.
Covid hit the creative industry hard and it is recovering. But as a mum trying to find work again after a year off is still very difficult. Networking isn't what it used to be. And with childcare like gold dust, it's not like I can up nursery hours or find alternative childcare. Whatever spare time I get is improving my skills and applying for work. Then there is my amazing husband who I never tell often enough how much I love him or spend enough quality time with, supporting me as well as working on his business. There are so many things to juggle, my hat off to the mums working full time with little ones.
You see these Linkedin posts about how great a business is for allowing flexible work. I mean are they real do they exist? I'm sure they do, I have yet to come across one personally.
I guess in general I am feeling dissapointed and frustrated with my current work situation. Any other Mum's or Dad's feeling like this? Any parent's out there feeling they wish their job was more flexible so they can spend more time at home with the kids? Leave a comment.
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