Episode 8: preparing for caregiving leave
Hi everyone,
Welcome back to the land of TWC. If you are feeling particularly exhausted in this moment, let me say: I feel you. The weight of what we are all managing – the post-holiday slump, omicron, keeping our businesses afloat – is a lot. I am currently writing this from my bed with a snoring dog on my feet, feeling tired because I’m taking care of my family – all of whom have COVID. I, somehow, am asymptomatic… but I’m also pregnant!
Which brings me to the point of today’s episode: We’re talking all about how to take an extended leave from your business when you’re preparing for a baby, surgery, illness, or any other kind of caretaking.
Because I’m pregnant right now, I’m bringing a parental lens to this conversation. I’ll share my story of taking leave with my son, and will also talk about what I’m planning to do the second time around with my daughter (who’s due in June). But we also purposefully kept the lens of this episode wide because we want this to be helpful to anyone who needs to step away from their freelance business for an extended period of time.
Life is unpredictable and medical/ caregiving leave is one of those benefits freelancers usually miss out on. In today’s episode, we’ll propose some strategies for planning for a leave financially, structurally and emotionally.
You’ll find this new episode wherever you podcast – on Spotify, Apply, Stitcher, and beyond. And if you’re planning on taking some kind of leave soon, you can download a worksheet to help you plan that leave here. You should also check out this list of PFML (Paid Family and Medical Leave) states.
With parenting and our health, there are seasons. Seasons of hustle, seasons of rest, seasons of inspiration, seasons of boredom. Seasons of creativity and seasons of feeling stuck in the mud. This is life, for better or for worse. And the best way to accommodate those seasons is to plan for them as best as you can, but also leave room to be flexible. Which is, of course, the magic and misery of freelancing.
How have you planned for a leave of absence in the past? We’d love to hear your thoughts on Twitter or via email.
Reminder: our tax-a-long is next week! Join us Tuesday, Feb 15 at noon PT. Do you want your taxes done early? Or get your documents collated ahead of time for your accountant? Join TWC and CPA Valerie Moseley to walk you through the process. You’ll have ample time to build community with others and get any personalized questions answered. Details and registration: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/get-t-done-with-the-writers-co-op-your-annual-tax-return-tickets-252236645597
Xo,
Jenni