Today is Friday, Frustrated and thinking about work!!
Hi Mamas,
Its Friday. I'm trying to stay busy so that I don't think/wonder/hope too much about being pregnant. The dog is walked and happy sleeping in the middle of the bed! I just had amazing leftover polenta and am trying to think of something yummy to make for dinner tonight that both the man and I can share (the gluten/casein free for me.... and vegetarian for him).
and shit!! I'm thinking about work!! and figuring out what kind of work I'd like to be doing. Basically my confidence has been kinda shot after getting a great postpartum client and THEN promptly loosing her because she felt like they just couldn't afford the care. and this keeps happening! Right now, I have a pt gig at a consignment store so I have a couple of regular work days a week and I often meet up with prospective clients or other doulas or birth workers so I'm doing some nice networking, but I'm so frustrated! I know I've got some great things to offer and I understand that people are not able to afford my services right now but do I give up at this early stage? I know it takes time to build a business but I need something a bit more regular.... and of course we will be moving in early summer which means that any good networking I've done will probably be paying off as soon as we're about to hit town. vent vent vent. thanks for listening.
and on the other end of this I know that I'll likely be going back to childcare once a baby comes, as I'm pretty sure that I want to be able to stay home and will still need some income. So I'm wondering: Has anyone started a home play school/daycare? Has anyone hooked up with another mama offering childcare and spending your days together so the work isn't so isolating? I really love hanging with babies and kids BUT it can really isolate you if you are alone with them all day. Has anyone offered more afterschool type care for older kids. Thinking something arts themed could be fun. Any ideas welcome.
- Lapis's blog
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Oh no, you're codes didn't work! Not sure how to fix it, I know when I do mine from Photobucket I don't have to add the [/IMG] to mine. I'm sure someone else will have the answer.
Have you tried doing a sliding scale or something with your clients? So you can still get the work and experience and they can get the help they need for their budget. It sounds like a great career if you can get it going, I'm sure it will pick up for you.
Beautiful family 
I love the window in your apartment, nice and bright.
I'm lovin' that moustache 
Have you thought about offering your services in trade? I know money is important but what about things you need, that you normally pay for or things that you wouldn't pay for that you could use?
Trade care from a massage therapist
or a naturopath
or someone with a garden
barter with someone who grows or sells wool or knits (get free winter clothes!)
or someone in the city with chickens (free eggs)
or someone who has an extra car that would let you "rent" it for appointments one day per week (when you could make some $ too).
What about a hairdresser (free haircuts)
or someone who makes their own clothes (free clothes)?
Someone that has cloth diapers they could give you for when your baby arrives, or clothes or baby supplies.
Or all natural body products.
Or someone who cans or dries food? Maybe they can preserve your food when they are making their's
Just about everyone has something they can offer, even new mamas. You could also ask them if they have someone in their family who makes/does this sort of thing would be willing to donate these items to "pay" you.
Good luck!
what do you mean a real baby your dog is real your family is great mama
Jessica
Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind~~Dr.Seuss
Jessica
Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind~~Dr.Seuss
I'm sorry you lost your client - I was really excited for you...
your boys are VERY sweet... I love men with curly hair and YOUR man has particularly great curly hair!
be strong mama
Love all the photos. dogs are totally children. we refer to ours as T.'s brothers and sister.
Crossing my fingers for some doula clients for you soon.
Find ecstasy in life; the mere sense of living is joy enough. -- Emily Dickinson
You want to do what you think is right and what matters to you, and if other people don't like it, as my father would have said, they can go fuck themselves. -- Amy Bloom
Oh, you and your man are gonna make some seriously cute babies!
I've got four fur babies, (all cats), and I know there is gonna be some serious sibling rivalry at the beginning with Nikki Coco, she is a high needs attention seeking kitty. But i think they will be best friends in the end. Coco is the only one of my kitties that will let my neices and nephews get within five feet. She lets them carry her around like a sack of potatoes, but the look on her face is a cry for help the whole time. (I do intervene, it's never too early to start learning about animal rights.)
I second the curls compliment, btw.
Tigerfish Mama
You gotta work like you’ve never been hurt, fuck like you don’t need the money, and scratch like nobody’s watching.-Krystal
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I just fixed them
and I do have a pretty generous sliding scale. I think a bit part of the problem is that I don't drive and even though the public transportation system in DC is pretty good a lot of the families who can really afford a pp doula (or even want one) live out of the bounds of public transit. I'm still pretty firm on not wanting to drive though, so for now lowering my sliding scale rate might just be the thing to do.
thanks