Thank you for opening this topic up for discussion. I'm a new mother although I'm a non-bio parent, so I came into parenthood through the support role. I worked as a freelancer throughout my partners entire pregnancy. My days were long, and since I had just entered the new job role, I wanted to stay committed. With her high risk pregnancy, I wanted to be able to be there for my partner. Once our son was born (premature), I took time to hibernate with them and support through the beginning weeks, but I never REALLY took off. If a job offering popped up, I didn't have the luxury of denying it. So 8 weeks post I was pretty much working again. Not always everyday, but pending whatever the gig dictated (sometime 5 day stretch sometime 2 days at a time). I wasn't eligible for paid time off as a freelance/gig worker. It caused a lot of stress, frustration and down the line 6-9 months post jealousy. My partner still hadn't gone back to working either and was out of work. I decided to try committing to part-time structured work and begin a new job around 4 months post. The part-time approach has worked so far 10 mos. post) but I do find I'm not passionate about work right now. It's definitely a means to an end, and I thought if I do PT and my partner finds a PT gig, we could both engage with our son in this 1st year and be able to cover bills without taking on expenses and discomforts with 2 full time jobs. This is an extra element too for a two mom structured family where I will be birthing as well. So, not to rush her out of stay at home mom vibes, but also establishing the reality of a pendulum swing to a more support role for 2nd baby. Overall, if PFL was extended to the freelance community, and if we had truly universal healthcare (or employee provided healthcare for part-time workers with lets say 20-30 hour work week), the struggle wouldn't be as difficult as it is now.
Hello,
Thank you for opening this topic up for discussion. I'm a new mother although I'm a non-bio parent, so I came into parenthood through the support role. I worked as a freelancer throughout my partners entire pregnancy. My days were long, and since I had just entered the new job role, I wanted to stay committed. With her high risk pregnancy, I wanted to be able to be there for my partner. Once our son was born (premature), I took time to hibernate with them and support through the beginning weeks, but I never REALLY took off. If a job offering popped up, I didn't have the luxury of denying it. So 8 weeks post I was pretty much working again. Not always everyday, but pending whatever the gig dictated (sometime 5 day stretch sometime 2 days at a time). I wasn't eligible for paid time off as a freelance/gig worker. It caused a lot of stress, frustration and down the line 6-9 months post jealousy. My partner still hadn't gone back to working either and was out of work. I decided to try committing to part-time structured work and begin a new job around 4 months post. The part-time approach has worked so far 10 mos. post) but I do find I'm not passionate about work right now. It's definitely a means to an end, and I thought if I do PT and my partner finds a PT gig, we could both engage with our son in this 1st year and be able to cover bills without taking on expenses and discomforts with 2 full time jobs. This is an extra element too for a two mom structured family where I will be birthing as well. So, not to rush her out of stay at home mom vibes, but also establishing the reality of a pendulum swing to a more support role for 2nd baby. Overall, if PFL was extended to the freelance community, and if we had truly universal healthcare (or employee provided healthcare for part-time workers with lets say 20-30 hour work week), the struggle wouldn't be as difficult as it is now.
Hope that was helpful.
Wise Muvugh