I run a small (only me) graphic design company and have been in the design business almost 6 years. My GF and I just had a baby in July, he is 7 weeks now. I took a couple weeks off and though I would love to just hang with my son all day, I need to get back to work so my question is this:
Assuming I have no other options, how inappropriate is it to take my son to meetings?
Keep in mind I don’t deal with many large, stuffy CEOs. Mostly local, mom and pop, small businesses at the moment. We can’t currently afford daycare. No available grandparents nearby either.
I am looking for some advice and ideas on how to handle this situation. Thank you!
This really depends on the child and your parenting skills. Early on they just sleep and it’s golden but soon they won’t sit still. If you don’t have family close you will eventually need a sitter so start working on that now.
Since you deal with smaller (read: non-corporate) outfits, my suggestion would be to be upfront and explain the baby care issue to the client and ask if it would be ok. I’d imagine (and hope!) that most, if not all, would be understanding, especially if they’re folks you’ve been working with for a while. Double that if they’re parents themselves.
Hope my 2 cents are helpful– and congrats on the new addition to your family!
Arron Reply:
August 31st, 2009 at 2:46 pm
thank for the idea. I have started offering “after hours” meetings to help circumvent the issue and most are open to that.
I think it would be a inappropriate for a first time meeting with a new client and even most other meetings. I would suggest you find a short term babysitter for a couple hours or so during the time with your clients unless one specifically says it’s ok to bring along your son.
As a single mom and graphic designer as well it’s been a tough thing for me to figure out, but it’s worth it to keep the business. Children generally aren’t allowed in offices or business meetings, even in a small business atmosphere, so I’m not sure why one would assume it’s ok to do so as a freelancer. That’s one way to get the point across that you don’t take the client seriously (even if you do). It presents a not-so-professional image.
Of course, saying this, I think if you have a great relationship with an existing client and they’re well aware of your situation via conversation, they might be open to it. I have one client who adores me and my daughter, said she could come with me to a meeting about a web site but I still left her at home with a friend. The client and others attending would’ve have been distracted, even though my daughter is very well behaved, and I don’t think that’s a good thing for you.
Ask your friends or neighbors if they have any regular sitters they would suggest. Even other moms/dads at home during the day who you could then do some time swap with (they watch your son for a couple hours, you return the favor another time for them).
Good luck!
Hey I hear ya… I have 2 kids and I run Merlin Media from home and contract 3 other creatives while my wife works.
It is very hard but I have come up with some rules:
1. NEVER say “I will get that done” do it as soon as you can cause you will never get that chance again.
2. Never take a job with a tight deadline. You want jobs with long deadlines. I personally tell them that I would love to do it but am very busy for the next week or so… that gives me an extra week and assures the client that they have the right guy. A busy agency is perceived as a good one
3. Organise to actually do your work when the kids are asleep and during the day set up your work for that night
4. Have lots of sex… sorry, just had to put that one in