Today’s episode was recorded in a real day-in-the-life moment. We’re in the car on our way to a track meet with my daughter, Victoria. Victoria is going to share what it’s like to be the daughter of a freelancer and the lifestyle my family has worked to create together. 

Victoria’s highlights to being a freelancer’s kid:

1. My mom makes time for me and my brother.
2. It’s been amazing to have a mom with an open schedule. 
3. We get to go on extra vacations during the summer.
4. We can go for walks with our new puppy! (this is also been great to have mother-daughter time with my mom)
5. We get to spend family time together like watching our shows at night. 

With being a freelancer, I know that my work-life balance has to be in check constantly. In order to go on all those extra vacations, my kids have extra responsibilities that may seem like a lot but I look at it as teaching my kids life skills. For example, for the last 2 years, Victoria has been the one doing the laundry in our house. She is never going to question her confidence in being able to help in a household. We do a lot of things as a family like taking turns cooking meals and other different chores. 

To be a successful freelancer with a family you really all have to be on the same page and having conversations. Because my kids are older, they can see what goes into being a freelancer and they see the rewards it has.  When we’re on vacation, sometimes it’s not a full vacation for me. It’s more of a strategic week where I can be with them doing the things that they want to do but still getting work done. So when we’re on vacation, it’s me getting up before they do, me staying up after they go to bed at night, and working to make sure I’m honoring all of my commitments. 

The thing that I think has set me apart from many people in the industry is making sure that I honor my commitments. If I tell a client I’m going to do something I’m definitely going to be doing it. That’s not common. It’s something you have to practice, something you keep in the forefront, and it has to be a priority. 

We would love to hear your freelance success stories so definitely share those by sending me a message @leahmmeyers.