How I Juggle Freelancing and Being a Mum (Spoiler: Sometimes I Drop the Balls)

I started freelancing before I had my son. About 16 months in, just as I was getting into the groove and starting to feel like I might actually be building something sustainable, he arrived. Beautiful, chaotic, demanding - and completely uninterested in my to-do list.

Unlike a salaried job, my freelance business didn’t come with maternity cover. There was no one to hand my clients off to, and I definitely couldn’t afford to hit pause. Naively, I thought I could keep things ticking along with a baby in tow. You know, answer emails during nap times, write blogs while he snoozed on my chest, take Zoom calls while bouncing him gently in a sling. Spoiler alert: I could not.

It quickly became obvious that my work had to fit around him, not the other way around. And that shift in mindset? Huge. Freelancing as a parent isn’t about having it all, it’s about making it work - in 20-minute chunks, during CBeebies marathons, and occasionally while hiding in the bathroom for some quiet.

A lot of people get into freelancing because they become parents. And it makes sense. Working around the odd hours you get in a day can feel way more feasible than trying to force flexi-hours out of a not-so-flexible employer. Some people discover it suits their vibe better. Whatever your reason, freelancing can be a brilliant option - but let's not pretend it's a walk in the park (unless that park also has a strong Wi-Fi signal and a sleeping baby in a pram).

So, from someone who's been living this life for a few years now, here are some of the things that helped me juggle it all. It’s not perfect, and it might not all apply to your setup, but hopefully there’s a gem or two in here that makes your day a little easier.

1. Think in Micro Tasks

If you don’t have solid childcare yet (tiny baby, unexpected sick days, random life chaos), micro-tasking is your best friend. Don’t wait for a big block of time - it’s not coming. Use the first nap of the day to do visibility tasks like LinkedIn posts, client outreach, or tweaking your offerings. Save client work (anything needing brainpower) for the second nap. If you have a partner, get them to take over when they get home so you can tie up loose ends.

2. Know What Time You Actually Have

Even if it's unpredictable, having a rough idea of when you might get 30 quiet minutes helps massively. Keep a running list of quick wins. That way, when the opportunity appears, you’re not faffing around deciding what to do.

3. When You Have Childcare, Be Ruthless

Whether it's a nursery day, a grandparent visit, or three glorious hours with a childminder - use that time wisely. This is when you do the high-value stuff. Book your networking calls. Pitch to new clients. Batch content. Outsource admin. The more intentional you are, the more you’ll grow.

4. Don’t Expect Balance. Plan for Chaos

There is no perfect balance. Some weeks you'll nail it. Others, the washing machine breaks, the toddler gets a bug, and three deadlines come at once. That’s freelancing and parenting. You can plan and prep, but you also need to be okay with the plan falling apart.

5. Embrace the Season

Now that my son is starting school, I’m (sort of) back to five working days. But with school hours, term dates, and the ever-present juggle of holidays and sick days, it’s a new kind of puzzle. Every season brings its own rhythm. The trick is being flexible enough to keep moving with it.

So here I am: still freelancing, still parenting, still juggling. Sometimes things drop. Sometimes I forget a packed lunch or send an invoice late. But I love what I do, and I love that I can be there for school pick-ups and soft play trips too.

To anyone else figuring this out - you're not alone, you're doing great, and you’re allowed to laugh (or cry) about it. Probably both.