Over the last year| people have asked me if I am on maternity leave. In my case| this is not a simple yes-or-no answer. I am not working| but I'm also not receiving parental benefits from EI or a topped up salary from a progressive thinking employer.
I have been a contract copy editor and writer for the last couple of years. Before Natasha was born| I did not have a full-time job to go back to. The four-month contract I had when I became pregnant was long over with no sign of returning| and the main client for technical editing work had not sent any work or even any sign of communication for nine months.
As Natasha grew older and days with her became easier| I started having thoughts of seeking some work| but the hours I had available because were awkward and few because of my daughter. Plus| my contacts in the contract world were small| despite having tried for a year to land more clients.
The fact that I was not bringing in money was weighing heavily on my mind| and the reality of life with a baby when you have no family in town and your friends are all working or at home with their own baby during nap times started to wear at my sanity.
So I am jumping back into the work world. I am working on starting a baby accessory company| designing and making bibs| burp cloths| washcloths and blankets. And I have returned to a form of writing that I love| business and marketing writing. Our Bikram Yoga studio now had a brand new newsletter because of me and I'm hoping to land some other clients| and start my own local mama-focused newsletter.
I have just taken on the duties of the Victoria representative for Wee Welcome| a parent-baby group that has been fun and successful in our city and a lifesaver for me on a few occasions.
Oh| and I have been writing a memoir about our journey to bring Natasha into our lives. During nap time| I sit in front of the computer and type out my recollections of our two miscarriages| my depression during the third pregnancy| and the stress that having a baby 18 days after your due date can introduce to your life.
Natasha is approaching her one-year birthday. She is suddenly sitting herself up| standing all the time| and taking steps when we are willing to hold her hands. She is only a few weeks away from walking| and I am remembering all the time that as she becomes more able to do things and becomes more independent. Paradoxically| she is going to need more attention from me and I will have to spend more time entertaining her.
Fortunately| have laptop will travel. I think we will soon become a regular fixture at our local toddler drop-in sessions - Natasha with the toys and other kids| me with my keyboard. And that will be me you see with a computer at the park on sunny days while one eye looks up occasionally to check on my youngling.
I am starting to realize that this stay-at-home work arrangement may not be as idyllic and fun as I once thought and everyone assumes. I do take solace in the fact that I am effectively paying myself $1000 each month in saved childcare fees| and I am much happier when I have time to write and can get work done.
Now I just have to work on that third arm I have been wanting for the last year so that I can juggle a toddler and still type with two hands. My one-handed typing has been improving| but it is not my forte.
Printer-friendly version