Finding Flexibility in Multiple Jobs and Keeping It as My Kids Grow

Before my transition to motherhood, I was deeply entrenched in a career as an attorney and had furthered my education with a master's in international affairs. Yet, when my first child entered my life, the rigid structure of a typical full-time role became impractical.

Initially, I intended to resume work shortly after childbirth. However, those plans changed drastically when my eldest daughter came with a set of intricate medical challenges, rendering the conventional workplace schedule unmanageable for our circumstances. Adding three more children into the mix didn’t make it any easier to consider a return to a traditional job.

Crafting a Work Journey That Offers Adaptability

The prospect of returning to a standard job was always on my mind once my children could fend more for themselves. My educational background and the financial investment made seemed like a pathway I ought to pursue. Yet, as my kids transitioned to ages 10 through 19, I find the thought of an office environment less and less appealing. The requirement for flexibility far exceeds what I've found single employment can offer.

I never let go of work entirely. Leaving my full-time role necessitated an income, compelling me to find jobs that valued flexibility. My quest led me to various part-time positions.

My initial steps involved taking on temporary assignments from other attorneys, focusing on legal research or brief writing. Concurrently, I took on minor legal cases I could manage while my kids napped or slept.

Building a Portfolio of Varied, Satisfying Work

I discovered I could teach law-related courses online, a role perfectly aligned with my schedule and expertise. Soon, instructing a couple of classes became part of my regular agenda, occasionally even happening face-to-face.

Developing a personal interest in photography, I began capturing images of my children. As requests from friends poured in, I turned this passion into a modest photography business. Writing about the adventures and challenges faced in raising my quartet also opened doors to freelance writing gigs.

Having a mix of roles means I’m not committed to constant daily endeavors. This arrangement allows me the freedom to adjust my involvement depending on my personal obligations.

For instance, when photographing families on weekends clashed with family activities or youth sports, I could easily scale back and increase my legal work accordingly. This approach gave me the adaptability to cover additional expenses like my son's soccer fees through extra writing assignments.

I relish this dual existence of engaging in cerebral legal and scholarly challenges while also indulging in the creative realms of photography and writing. Though I once envisioned a return to corporate life as my kids grew, the evolving reality suggests I am unlikely to embrace such a future.

Choosing to Prioritize Family and Flexibility

With my youngest now more autonomous in fifth grade, I considered reverting to a full-time job. Yet, even as I accumulate over 40 hours weekly across my diversified positions, the elasticity of my work setup remains indispensable.

I find satisfaction in attending school events, supporting my children’s activities, and joining them for adventures during school breaks. Being available for my teens, who are navigating the complexities of high school, feels more critical than ever.

A traditional role would probably require all my vacation days for parenting responsibilities, curtailing my ability to travel and explore with my children—moments I deeply cherish.

The thought of adding a daily commute or earning marginally more than my current setup offers little appeal, especially with today’s fickle job market. The stability of multiple income streams gives me security that a solitary job cannot.

After thorough contemplation, I’ve decided to persist with my multifaceted work strategy indefinitely. Although challenging at times, this configuration effectively supports my family and lifestyle.