https://hun.proz.com/forum/poll_discussion/345919-are_there_any_full_time_mum_translator_how_is_your_job_survive_the_long_summer_vocation.html
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Fórumok a ProZ.com-ról » Poll Discussion »
Are there any full time mum translator? How is your job survive the long summer vocation?
Téma indítója: Elva Zhu

Elva Zhu
Malajzia
Local time: 10:59
angol - kínai
+ ...
Aug 25, 2020

I have two boys, one 7, the other 6. During this half-year distance learning plus summer vocation, I am losing some of my precious clients due to refusing some job offers from time to time. And that made me anxious.

I am wondering how other mums deal with it?
 

Chris S  Identity Verified
Egyesült Királyság
svéd - angol
+ ...
Don’t panic Aug 25, 2020

I’m not a mum, for obvious reasons, but I just wanted to say that most clients are also parents and really ought to be able to cut you some slack in these difficult times. I know I would.

Mervyn Henderson
Angela Burt
 

Kuochoe Nikoi-Kotei  Identity Verified
Ghána
Local time: 02:59
japán - angol
Solve it with money Aug 26, 2020

Not a mum either, but is hiring a babysitter or roping in a relative an option? It might be worth it on larger jobs. E.g. paying a sitter $200 to watch your children so you can take a job will make you $1000. Kids over 6 years old should be fine with some adult supervision.
 

ahartje
Portugália
Local time: 03:59
Tag (2006 óta)
német - portugál
+ ...
First of all: mums and dads Aug 26, 2020

I am sure several female and male colleagues are facing the same problem.
Looking back to the time, when I had to raise my three kids all by my own (my husband died by accident and no family nearby), I remember an excellent daily organisation (3 kids in 3 different schools/kindergarten and all needed mum´s transport), combined with endless night shifts.
Hiring a babysitter has never been an option for several reasons, but back then we´ve had a normal school life, so at least for s... See more
I am sure several female and male colleagues are facing the same problem.
Looking back to the time, when I had to raise my three kids all by my own (my husband died by accident and no family nearby), I remember an excellent daily organisation (3 kids in 3 different schools/kindergarten and all needed mum´s transport), combined with endless night shifts.
Hiring a babysitter has never been an option for several reasons, but back then we´ve had a normal school life, so at least for some hours per day I have had free hand for my job. ▲ Collapse


Angela Burt
expressisverbis
Elva Zhu
 

Angela Burt  Identity Verified
Egyesült Királyság
Local time: 03:59
német - angol
+ ...
Tricky situation Aug 26, 2020

I know exactly how you feel – I've had three children since I started freelancing and juggling work, emails, admin, etc. with kids needing fed/cleaned/entertained/refereed has had me skirting the abyss of lunacy many a time! I used a childminder for two days a week for a year before the oldest two started school and it was the best money I ever spent. If paying for help isn't an option, maybe you could ask friends/relatives to help out, even for an hour or two? That, and the endless night shi... See more
I know exactly how you feel – I've had three children since I started freelancing and juggling work, emails, admin, etc. with kids needing fed/cleaned/entertained/refereed has had me skirting the abyss of lunacy many a time! I used a childminder for two days a week for a year before the oldest two started school and it was the best money I ever spent. If paying for help isn't an option, maybe you could ask friends/relatives to help out, even for an hour or two? That, and the endless night shifts already mentioned ... but it's amazing how productive you can be without the 'Muuuuuuuuuuum' soundtrack on loop in the background.
Obviously things have been trickier these past few months with lockdown and homeschooling and all – I've found the only way it is doable is with a clear schedule for everyone. The same goes for summer holidays (make use of all free summer clubs and all play dates offered!).
In terms of client understanding, as Chris S says, current conditions mean that pretty much everyone now realises how difficult it is to work at home and have children around so I've found that customers are more willing to negotiate deadlines than they were before. I always suggest an alternative delivery date rather than rejecting a project outright.
Good luck! ▲ Collapse


Elva Zhu
 


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