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  James McKay August 10, 2015 at 7:19pm

  My first is 9 weeks old now Harry - no idea how you managed with twins and working! I have reached new levels of fatigue I must say. A couple of days I have had to just sack it off and go home because I literally couldn't pick up a piece of equipment. Probably not good for health and safety...!

  I suppose being self employed you (in theory) have the luxury of taking some days or half days off here and there but suppose that is difficult being the sole income earner.

  I am trying to make admin much more efficient and find other times to do it such as very early in the morning before anyone is up or at night once little one is in bed. 

  Maybe there is a case for upping prices, losing some of the lowest payers in the process and thereby freeing up some time whilst maintaining the income? I'm sure others on here will have better pointers. I'm a relative novice...but will watch this discussion with interest to see what I can pick up!

   
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  Colin Hunt August 10, 2015 at 8:15pm

  First of all you have youth on your side and you will find new reserves of energy and resourcefulness that only children can bring!  Our first was born one year after starting the business, my wife earned more than I did, so her wages were a big loss and we had a mortgage to pay.  Did we do it? Of course we did - you just have to. Like you Harry, I realised I wanted to spend as much time with my children as I could, so decided early on that if I couldn't make enough money from working a regular 8-9 hour day, five days a week, then I was in the wrong business.

  Don't be a slave to your work Harry, be there for your family - it is worth it, I can assure you.
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  Philip Blair August 10, 2015 at 10:21pm

  In the same boat here, we have a 23 month old and a 3 month old. May and June this year were just a blur though things are settling down now. I'm 42 now and it is definitely tough at this age.  I try to get home every evening for 6 to spend some time with them and put the older one to bed, i have worked less Saturdays this year than previous years and i have given up on on hiking and other hobbies that i used to do on Sunday's for a year or two. We have also just bought a touring caravan and are heading off this weekend for a couple of nights to try it out and intend going every third weekend from next spring. Make the best of them when they are young is our idea for the next few years, they soon grow up.
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  David Cox August 10, 2015 at 11:00pm

  same as all above, mines 15 months next week - Its hard work, and the fatigue, being self employed, working the 48 hours week and then still having tons of paper work to do once your in, its hard to keep on top of it, Its 11PM now and Im only just getting round to doing invoices I should have sent out a week ago.

  The best tip I can give, is if a job is causing you hassle, up the price or drop it, and price all new work much higher, you can shed a few jobs and make the same, freeing up more time for family. I did that this morning and had a nice coffee and cake out with the little one and it makes the world of difference.
  
  Other than that enjoy them!
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  Richard Gadsby August 11, 2015 at 1:13am

  I was lucky enough to stop work for 4 years when my first was born. And started back as the second went 2 1/2 days in nursery. I suppose that you have to do what's best for you by weighing up how much money is required and getting that and then taking the time out after. The 1 thing I will say is that the time flies my eldest was ten a month ago........
  See them as much as you can but they also need to see you out working imo as that gives them a good idea of what you need to do to succeed in life.
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  Harry@VWGS August 11, 2015 at 7:14pm

  Thank you for the tips everyone, I have definitely tried to stream line my paperwork and admin, I have also spent the last year or so dropping any hassle clients, but finding it difficult to cut back on the hours atm because it seems there is always something we need although we really have streamlined that also, getting by financially atm but I would like to cut back the hours, I am always trying to save for a rainy day, maybe I will drop down my hours a little and see how it goes as we are coming towards the end of the summer and then stick to the shorter hours next summer, there is always extra work to be done if I decide to put in the hours in the future, thank you everyone...