Bookkeeping Business - Dilema (Maybe one for the women to answer) - The Book-keepers Forum (UK)

Alison · Senior Member

Bookkeeping Business - Dilema (Maybe one for the women to answer)

kjmcculloch · Guru

Hi Alison,

I'm not a lady (honest) but I have got 2 kids under 3, one of them just had his first birthday so I can remember how hard a baby is.

Please feel free to correct me if I'm wrong, but I've had the feeling for a long time reading your posts that your hearts not in it any longer.

I know this is going to sound very Bob, and I apologise, but if your clients are demanding and disorganised perhaps they need a bit of moulding or are simply the wrong type of clients for your business.

If you are going to continue perhaps you need to think about being clear on timescales. For example you maybe need to say I will pick up/you will drop off all your paperwork by x date, in return I will process it by y date. But you need to be clear that if they don't get the information to you on time, it wont be ready on time.

I think your also right in that with the amount of money we need to pay out there is a point where you can run your business down so much that there is no point in continuing. I suppose another thing you can think of is selling your business/ your clients to another bookkeeper. Granted you may not get much for 10 clients, but something is better than nothing.

I wish you the best of luck in whatever you decide to do.

Kris

-- Edited by kjmcculloch on Monday 26th of April 2010 06:46:20 AM

Terri · Senior Member

I am thinking about exactly the same thing at the moment Alison - luckily I'm not too busy with work (although I am pretty busy with other things, you know how it is), but I have a three year old and a one year old and my husband and I are trying for baby number three at the moment.

I guess that with a great support network (for babysitting and help around the house) you could manage but it is hard. My youngest boy has screamed for 5 days solid with a virus and I have had 5 hours sleep in two days, just about to sit down now and get some work done but it is hard.

Could an option not be to have an arrangement with another bookkeeper to do the work for you during your maternity leave and then take your clients work back on after the baby has arrived.

Terri

Alison · Senior Member

Hi

Thanks for your replies.

Terri sorry to hear your youngest has been unwell, hope he gets better soon. I'm not surprised that you are thinking about giving up the bookkeeping if you have baby number three as can imagine how much work 3 children under 5 years old will be.

At first I was kidding myself that I could have the baby then get straight back to working but my sister in law who had first baby in July 09 told me that was very unrealistic and being a mum is more tiring then a full time job and for quite some time babies require a lot of attention (I was kidding myself that baby would sleep most of the day and just need feeding and nappy changes inbetween). My sister in law also pointed out that I might be like her, she was intending going back to work for 2 1/2 days for 3 months in July which was the minimum amount of time to get some extra maternity leave benefits backdated but decided she could not bear to leave her son because she would miss out on him learning new things like walking or talking even though it would be her mum looking after him she said being told second hand would not be the same.

Kris - with my clients some of them will not change however much I tried, some of them I knew this from the start but because it was the one accountants firm who introduced me to most of my clients did not want to turn any of them down because of accountants not then recommending me to another new client.

Thanks

Alison

Terri · Senior Member

Thanks Alison - he is getting there. Sorry, I didn't make myself clear before - definately not going to quit as I have spent over £2000 in training costs, and I have to admit that I do enjoy it. I meant in the sense that I am wondering how having an additional child will impact how much work I can do and I have to admit that I have stopped advertising for work as much as I was. I have just one client at the moment - I quit my one day a week bookkeeping job as it was just too much and I am going to focus now on studying and if work comes my way then I will probably take it on if it is a small business.

I do love bookkeeping and having my own business although its scary and I always have questions. We were going to wait three or four years before adding to our little family again, however, I'm not working much with only one client so we thought that now was the perfect time to do it - rather than wait 3-5 years down the line, having built up a few more clients and then having to take a back seat.

I agree with what your sister said, until you have actually had a baby, you have no idea how you are going to feel and you may have a baby that sleeps all day, you may have a baby that demands a lot of attention - you just don't know. Plus, it's not just the newborn stage that you have to think about - my toddlers are a real handful and are much more work than they were newborn - plus, my three year old only started sleeping through the night about a month ago. It is hard, I am exhausted most of the time - but I love my life and I love the challenge of juggling my business around my family. I have never left my boys with anyone - I have seen every single "first" and that means a lot to me. But you have no idea how you will feel - I have two friends who had very sucessful fulltime jobs - one was planning to have 6 months off work and went back after 2 months as she didn't want to be home with the baby - it was too much for her and she craved adult company and missed her job. My other friend planned to take four months off and go back fulltime and she has gone back 2 days a week and hates being seperated from her little girl - but needs the money so has to work.

Terri

Alison · Senior Member

Hi Terri

Thanks for the reply. I can understand why you quit the 1 day a week job it is when you have to go to clients premises that is a drawback.

I have some customers at home but others are at their premises quite a distance from where I live and not driving yet (got misdiagnosed with epilepsy and DVLA are so slow at returning my licence and was only 2 months from being test ready so frustrating at the moment relying on public transport)

I can't believe you find time to study as well as everything else. My studies sort of went out the window as had a fall in January which was when I was misdiagnosed with epilepsy which meant quite a lot of hospital visits for tests like MRI scan and was tired all the time because was worrying a lot and not sleeping that well, then got the all clear and shortly afterwards found out I was pregnant and suffering with all day morning sickness and feel tired all the time struggling to be motivated to work let alone study.

Alison

Terri · Senior Member

To be honest Alison, I haven't studied very much since Christmas - the boys keep me super busy, the house is being decorated by myself VERY slowly (when we get a bit of spare cash), I am the secretary of the school PTFA committee, run an online Ebay shop with hubbie and that is all ontop of the housework and fulltime care of the boys. It is hard but now that I have an extra day at home - I am trying to get on top of the housework and decorating so that I can get back into the studying.

I am sorry to hear about your health problems. I hope that you pass your test soon - I am having lessons at the moment - being able to drive would make my life so much easier

Congratulations on the pregnancy! So this is your first...how exciting/nerve wrecking. The first trimester is hard with all the sickness and tiredness - I am really not looking forward to it again but the second trimester is lovely - the bump and the kicks and the shopping and then again the third trimester is the hardest physically - but it is also the best in a way as you know that the pregnancy is coming to an end and you will have the baby soon.

Terri

Alison · Senior Member

Hi Terri

Luckily I only have 2 more weeks of the first trimester and hoping second trimester will be much better.

We have bought quite a few bits for the baby already (know some people think it is unlucky) but we got such a great deal bought a cot which has a changing board and mat that attaches to it and a pushchair for £20. Pushchair needed a good clean and now looks good as new and the cot needs some TLC which hubby is doing sanding it back and painting it.

Good luck with the driving lessons, must be hard with you with your boys not having a car.

How your ebay shop going? Do you enjoy that more then the bookkeeping? I have online ebay and amazon shop and enjoy that more then the bookkeeping as less pressure but don't like the trips to the post office.

Alison

Terri · Senior Member

I hope that the next few weeks fly by for you. The second trimester I always found to be very enjoyable.

I don't think that it's unlucky - I'm not too superstitious - a bargain is a bargain right?

It is hard - the buses here only run one an hour and you cannot push a pushchair onto them so I have to carry my little boy - hold my eldests hand and carry a handbag, changing bag and a folded up pushchair - a great workout - who needs a gym membership

We are busy on Ebay - it is taking me at least two hours a day most days so we are busy and it is fun and easy - I see it more of a hobby than working

Luckily my post office is just down the road so is quick to get to and you are right about less pressure - I am new to the whole bookkeeping world and it does still give me sleepless nights

Terri

lots to learn · Senior Member

Hi Alison

I was interested to see this thread as I think as mothers we continuously strive to do everything and we always want to do it perfectly.

I personally work from home with a 3 yr old and 1 yr old and my husband works away (currently in Kenya). I have never used any form of childcare but I do often beat myself up about doing evertything right. When I'm working i feel as though I should be spending more time with the children and when I'm with the children I feel as though I should be working!

I believe the only way ahead is routine, I work in the mornings as my youngest sleeps for 2 hours then and my 3 yr old has become excellent at entertaining herself. We then have the afternoon free for walks etc. but I think you find what suits.

I did take maternity allowance and luckily as the majority of my clients is year end work i was able to juggle so that I didnt have much work during this time. I was allowed to work for so many days with pay (so I made them long days!)

I do always stress to new clients that I work from home with children and I have always found them to be extremely accomodating as I feel they see this as why they are paying cheaper fees.

I do hope you find what works for you, but don't beat yourself up about trying to do everything. Children are so precious and they grow up so quickly, its a shame to miss out.

Good luck with the pregnancy

Valerie

littlebookkeeper · Senior Member

Hi Alison.

congratulations on your pregnancy, hope it all goes well.

I take my hat off to anyone who has started a business when having very young children without the aid of any external childcare. I certainly could not have contemplated doing this when mine were little as being little people they are so unpredictable. They are teething, ill, up at nights so you are sleep depived etc etc You can't rely on set hours for focusing on work and I found the new baby stage a lot easier than the toddler stage as I had very good babies who slept well. So don't be fooled when they are babies!

Obviously some people manage. It must take a lot of drive and commitment though. Well done to those of you that have!

My 2 boys are now 6 and 4 and whilst I only get a few hours here and there (the little one doesn't start school until August) I am finding I can concentrate on a business now, though I only do bits and pieces of work at the moment I am hoping to start to grow the business in August when I have 5 or 6 hours free at a time.

Anyway, good luck, when the time comes you will know what's right for you....

Carole

Alison · Senior Member

Hi

Thanks for the replies.

It was interesting to read your part of the message Valarie that you were allowed to work some days whilst on maternity allowance I was thinking that you were not even allowed to send the odd email to clients whilst on maternity allowance let alone do any work.

Thanks

Alison

Silly Digits · Senior Member

Alison

When I had my second and then third child I probably had the same amount of clients as yourself. It was very hard, but somehow I managed to work just in the evenings when my husband came home from work. I always arranged to meet the clients in the evening and answered any calls etc.

My children are now 13, 10 and 4. I now have a couple of hours each morning to work and go to a client once a week whilst my mum picks my youngest up from nursery. There are times when I am in panic mode. Days when I have so much work but struggle to juggle, in these circumstances I have to put some time at a weekend to concentrate or still put in time in the evenings.

It does get easier as they get older, stick with it if you can. The thing that keeps me going is the thought that if my children are ill or i need to go to sports days etc I am able to. This is the joy of working for yourself.

I now have about 25 clients. Some of these are just once a year jobs only. But I now feel that when my youngest starts school soon i will be able to get all my work done during the day, normally.

Alison · Senior Member

Hi Silly Digits

You must have never had time for yourself and been so tired working so hard. Did your husband help out with the housework and cooking etc?

I really don't know how you cope with 3 children and 25 clients.

I think with me it is more I feel completely clueless about babies never thought I would have a baby until I turned 33 January this year so have not got my head around that yet, maybe I should not be hasty and just tell my clients I will be on maternity leave for 2 - 3 months and decide after I have had the baby and if baby a sleeper or a constant crying baby (think my Mum wants me to have a crying baby/tantrum toddler because I was really bad as a baby/toddler and caused my Mum grief she thinks it would be justice to get a taste of my own medicine and decide if I want to keep all clients, or cut back clients or stop altogether.

Alison

RuthA · Senior Member

I haven't read all of the replies in detail so apologies if I'm going off on a tangent. I first set up self employed after having my second child, he was about 9 months when I started taking on clients. I then decided to stop working when I had number 3. Now my 4th (and last!!) is 6 months old and I'm restarting my business.

I couldn't have worked over the previous 6 months, for me life is just too unpredictable when you've got a young baby. But I guess part of that is to do with how you choose to mother so different people will have different experiences. If I had kept the busness going whilst having my last 2 children, I would have gone down the route of subcontracting out.

When I wasn't working, my ICB membership lapsed and now I'm having to resit the exams to become qualified again. It's only a pain in that it's costing me a couple of hundred pounds and taking time, which is delaying me resuming woking, but I think if I'd realised I would have kept paying my membership.

I hope you can come up with a way forward that you are happy with.

lots to learn · Senior Member

Hi Alison

I think with the Maternity Allowance you are allowed to do somewhere in the region of 10 days and you have to inform them if you exceed this.

I rang to ask them what they classed as a days work (i.e. 8 hours?) as I'm sure you know when your self employed you grab hours when you can. They advised me that even if you just make a phone call that would be classed as 1 day!

Luckily, as most of my work is year end, I was able to carry out the majority before taking the allowance and the 10 days allowed me the flexibility for any other. I didn't do any marketing or advertising during this time and just took on emergencies.

Hope this helps

Valerie

semsley · Guru

When I had my children in the early 80s there were not the same maternity benefits there are today, what there was lasted for 18 weeks (6 weeks before and 12 weeks after), there was no job left open for you either. As it was recession at the time and my husband was made redundant whilst I was pregnant with our first, we went and bought an electronic typewriter secondhand and I advertised to do typing from home. Luckily he got a job within three months although he had to travel over 80 miles round trip a day but I carried on with the work from home. It wasn't too hard as it could be done during the evenings and I could look after and play with the baby/toddler during the day. When the first was 9 months old I worked part-time during purchase ledger as well. Two years later we had the second and I carried on with the home based work and when she was 12 months and the first at nursery I did odd temping jobs and met someone at the nursery gates who was starting in business and for whom I've done the accounts for 26 years my first, oldest and longest client!! She even looked after my children from school when they were at pre-prep and I got a part-time job with a charity.

With regard to working and claiming maternity allowance - for employed you are allowed to work for 10 KIT (keeping in touch) days without losing the allowance. I don't know what the rules are for self-employed. However, I'm sure more can be earned than maternity allowance so foregoing it should not be a problem. When working from home the work can be done at times when the baby/child is in bed, you can rest when the baby/child does during the day to maintain your energy.

You make the choice as to whether you want to work or not, I preferred to work not just to keep up-to-date but also to maintain my sanity.

Alison · Senior Member

Hi

Thanks Ruth I never thought about having to retake exams if I let membership lapse with IAB. Must be difficult with 4 children and restarting your business.

Thanks Valerie, good to know that you can do 10 days even if 1 phone call classed as a day, not sure if will use that on the bookkeeping as not sure I would be able to concentrate on bookkeeping with the baby whilst on maternity leave but with the ebay shop can spend as much time as possible a day a week for 10 weeks listing lots of items and will then make hubby (who is Director of our Limited Company) parcel up and send any items that sell (he does not mind doing that part but not keen on the listing side of things)

Thanks

Alison

Alison · Senior Member

Would be so much simpler if I could hack a 9 - 5 job somewhere as hubby said that he is quite happy to give up his job and be a stay at home Dad. I not to good with 9 - 5 jobs as hate the politics, bullying in the work place, bitchyness etc and end up losing my temper and walking out of jobs so maybe would not be such a good idea.

Alison

Rhianrach · Expert

Alison wrote:

Would be so much simpler if I could hack a 9 - 5 job somewhere as hubby said that he is quite happy to give up his job and be a stay at home Dad. I not to good with 9 - 5 jobs as hate the politics, bullying in the work place, bitchyness etc and end up losing my temper and walking out of jobs so maybe would not be such a good idea.

Alison

Still it's easier than staying at home with a baby, evileye

I've done it for 6 months whilst working full time and two and a half years at home so far and i'm champing at the bit to get back to work.

If you want to retain your business at home then you will find that after a few months tops that your baby will of settled into a routine, both at night and the day, this will allow you some time for your clients.
My daughter was sleeping through the night and having a good two hours sleep in the day, which leaves you some time. They also like diddling around in bouncers and playpens which gives you more time, all you would need off hubby then is to help with the housework. Tiring but can be done.
They are more of a handfull once they start walking but you just need to look at nursery/grandparents at that point to free some time up.

My daughter is three and I would say that I could give a few hours a day to working from home, at the moment she comes with me for 2 days to work and just about weathers it so it can be done.

Alison · Senior Member

Rhianrach wrote:

My daughter is three and I would say that I could give a few hours a day to working from home, at the moment she comes with me for 2 days to work and just about weathers it so it can be done.

Your client or employer is really good to allow you to have your daughter with you. Some clients or employers would not allow such a thing.

Alison

Rhianrach · Expert

Alison wrote:

Rhianrach wrote:

My daughter is three and I would say that I could give a few hours a day to working from home, at the moment she comes with me for 2 days to work and just about weathers it so it can be done.

Your client or employer is really good to allow you to have your daughter with you. Some clients or employers would not allow such a thing.
Alison

Got to admit thats because I don't get paid, point is you can do the work with kids around if you can deal with the interruptions.

RobH · Expert

When I first started I was working from home and I had my 6 week old little girl to look after (her mum went straight back to work). I hired a nanny from an agency that dealt with Eastern European nannies. She cost around £50 per week plus board. It worked well as Maria (the nanny) was in the same building as me so I wasn't worried that anything untoward was happening. I still got up every half hour to see what was happening though!

Rob

Shamus · Forum Moderator & Expert

Morning Steve,

Don't see what the big problem is that is being talked about here.

Brought my boy up single handed since he was one (he's now eleven). I don't have a close family to depend on and I don't trust child minders with him but we've done just fine.

I still managed to work and also study for the ACCA exams.

Mind you, don't know what sort of monster I may have created as when he was very young I used to read him Accountancy texts to get him to sleep. All you do is make the words sound as if they're exiting and it works exactly the same as fairies and dragons. Now he's an absolute whizz at maths and history. (also programmed him with why we like the Germans even though we keep fighting them and why we don't see eye to eye with the French even though we rushed to war to defend them).

Yes there are some jobs that I've not been able to take and getting through my exams would have been faster if I'd just been on my own. But personally I wouldn't have matters any other way than it just being the two of us.

Also, as freelancers I don't believe that we should ever use our children as an excuse to clients. If we have a school play or a sports day then of course we're seeing another client then! If you have to cancel an appointment because your child's ill then you've got to accompany a client to HMRC.

Basically, clients don't care if you have children. We're running a service and they're running a business. Personal circumstances mean diddly squat.

Amanda · Expert

Hi Everyone,

I think its just about being organised. I went back to college when my youngest was 1, and hubby was away alot so orgainised for my Mum to come an babysit so I could go to nightschool. It worked out fine, and I also worked part-time in an office at the time and had one at school and a great childminder. I think the key is if you are going to use a childminder get a good one as it makes all the difference.
When my youngest went to pre-school on the days I didn't work, I caught up on housework and studied as well and burnt the candle at both ends when it was exam time!!!! If you want it bad enough you'll do it.
Now my kids don't go to bed till alot later so I am studying with them up (luckily spare room is an office), the hubby orgainises them going to bed and does the wahsing up! I think it was easier when they were young and went to bed at 7pm instead of later like now.

HTH,
Amanda
PS Congratulations Alison!

-- Edited by Amanda on Wednesday 28th of April 2010 10:12:11 AM

-- Edited by Amanda on Wednesday 28th of April 2010 10:12:38 AM

Alison · Senior Member

Hi Amanda

Thanks for your reply.

I am quite organised but think the problem is feel tired all the time. Maybe I left it a bit late and maybe should have had child when I was younger rather then 33. My sister in law who had baby last year who is only 25 manages to cope with everything and not get too tired.

Wish I was younger again, used to have so much energy, could go to caravan site with social group over 500 people staying there on a Thursday and return on a Tuesday without getting more then 1 hours sleep a night as partying until 6am then grabbing an hours sleep before going out to places in the day.

I think people who can burn the candle at both ends studying when they have children and job or business are really motivated and wish I could be.

Alison

Amanda · Expert

Hi Alison,

If you are an organised person you will be fine, you are only feeling tired because you are pregnant. I wasn't orgainised at all untill I had kids, I think having kids made me an organised person.

You are still young at 33, so don't be put off by your age. My friend didn't have the first till she was 36 due to fertility problems, and then had bady number 3 a month before her 40th!
She is just setting up in business at the moment. She did have a job which she went back to part-time (she earnt really good money), but has decided to start a new business venture, so hse has more flexibility with the children.

You will soon feel better once the time moves on.

regards
A

Alison · Senior Member

Hi Amanda

Thanks, I was worrying about the tiredness because was tired before I became pregnant, maybe I should not worry because at that time I was commuting 2 hours a day each way to a job, working 9 - 5 then coming home and working on clients books.

I was worrying about my age but hearing about your friend makes me realise it is not a problem my age.

Thanks

Alison

Marky65 · Guru

Hi Alison

Due to my personal circumstances, married and no kids so no knowledge, I will not be getting involved in the discussion over what you should or shouldn't do. But I would just like to offer my congratulations on your pregnancy and I hope that you and your baby are doing well.

Regards & best wishes

Mark

Alison · Senior Member

Hi Mark

Thanks for the reply and the congratulations.

Alison

littlebookkeeper · Senior Member

Shamus wrote:

Don't see what the big problem is that is being talked about here.

Typical man answer

I am sure those of us who did have a bit of a rough ride of it will just love this. Doesn't make me feel like a failure at all Shaun.....

Firstly, you only had one child I believe? Big difference when you add more to the equation, the fighting for one thing starts the minute you try to work!

Secondly, I spent a good few weeks of my second pregnancy in hospital resulting in a premature birth at 34 weeks followed by meningitis when the baby was 6 weeks old resulting in a long recovery. How would you manage to fit in work around that?

Having babies is so unpredictable, you can be the most self disciplined, hardworking person in the world but that won't beat what nature throws at you.

Carole

Shamus · Forum Moderator & Expert

five children. Peter is the youngest.

Not calling anyone a failure but I just don't see what all the talk about this being a woman thing is when so many men also bring up children single handed and work and study.

The major difference I believe it that it's in women's nature to empathise with each other whereas men have more of an if it's not working fix it but don't make a song and a dance about it attitude.

Sounds as though you had a rough time and of course you can't be expected to work during such periods. Hope your nipper came out the other side relatively unscathed by the ordeal.

I've had one very poorly one at birth (number three). Like yours born very early but made worse by the air machine bursting one of his lungs. He came through it though and spent most of his youth as a real tough little chunky monkey.

littlebookkeeper · Senior Member

Hi Shaun,

Apologies, I have re-read my comment back and didn't mean to be so harsh, think I got out of bed on the wrong side today and have been snapping at my Hubby too!

Thankfully my little one is fine now, he was just slowed down a bit developmentally once he recovered. We thought we would lose him at one point but the Doctors were amazing, we have a lot to be grateful for.

My older son recently had a thing called Henoch Schonlein Purpura (HSP ) which presents with a rash not unlike the meningitis, I thought here we go again! He is ok now, but it can cause renal failure so he needs to go back for checks for up to a year so we are not out the woods yet. It's supposedly relatively common in boys aged 2-11 so those of you with kids may want to look it up.

By the way I think you deserve a medal for having 5 kids!

Carole

Terri · Senior Member

Shaun

I cannot believe that you have 5 kids to look after and work and find time to be on here - how many hours are in your day - I want to know your secret

Alison · Senior Member

Hi Carole

Your second pregnancy you really had a tough time. Least the Doctors were amazing and your baby pulled through it. I never realised a baby so young could get meningitis I just assumed it was school aged children and adults at risk.

Alison

Amanda · Expert

Blimey Shaun, 5 kids, I assume you weren't studying then!!!!!

Shamus · Forum Moderator & Expert

Hiya,

the most that I ever had at home was three and there was quite a long gap between Rhona (number 4) and Peter so he's really the first where it's just been one on one interaction.

Carole,
no probs, I think my comments can be read as being a bit contentious as well but I didn't intend mine to be either.
Personally I think that I need my head looking at rather than a medal!

Terri,
It's just my youngest at home now. I found it easier when he was really little as at least there used to be more hours in the evening.

Amanda,
Only started studying accountancy back in 2002 when Peter was barely three. Between work, study and childcare it at least stops me having anymore little ankle biters!... Of course, always open to offers!!!

lor · Guru

I don't know how you do it with kids!, I find it hard with out any.

I do enjoy kids but i think it is a big step.

kjmcculloch · Guru

They're wonderful wee thinks, Lorraine. Especially at this time when they're asleep.

Although someone at nursery seems to have told my wee man about monsters, so where going through a whole wont go to bed till we check stage.

Kris

Peasie · Expert

kjmcculloch wrote:

Although someone at nursery seems to have told my wee man about monsters, so where going through a whole wont go to bed till we check stage.

Tell him not to worry about the monsters - it's the burglars that break in through the window he should be scared of.

lor · Guru

Congrats Alison on the pregnancy and I hope it all goes well for you.

lor · Guru

kjmcculloch wrote:

They're wonderful wee thinks, Lorraine. Especially at this time when they're asleep.

Although someone at nursery seems to have told my wee man about monsters, so where going through a whole wont go to bed till we check stage.

Kris

Cheers Kris for sending me the letter, I thought it was good, can't find anything wrong with it.
Re: above my boyfriend has neices and nepthews and I think they are hilarious! Kids just come out with the funniest things!

Ammers · Veteran Member

Hi Alison,
Congratulations on the pregnancy.
I have 4 children under 5 and 2 step sons so 6 in total.It is very hard to find time to do anything but I work/study in the evenings... That the only time of day when they are all in bed... It is hard to get motivated but I keep thinking of the end result. I think you will feel better about it once you have had the baby, I couldn't have possibly contemplated doing this whilst I was pregnant as I was so tired all the time it was as much as I could do to get dressed.. A lot of people said to me, I wouldn't have time to do anything and I was mad to even think of it and what if I had a baby that screamed all night etc etc, but luckily none of mine have been like that and there is no reason to think yours will be either.
Hope it all goes well
AnneMarie

lor · Guru

cool we have stars now, I love it!