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MT with young children at home - conflicted

Posted: Dec 13, 2011

I am working as an MT with young children at home. I don't have set hours per se, but do have a quota to meet. I get frustrated with trying to make ends meet financially, but also being there for my family needs and responsibilities as well. Does anyone have any advice on on being an MT at home while managing family life?

You took the works right out of my mouth.... - MoMT

[ In Reply To ..]
I struggle with this too. Not sure how young your kids are but what I try to do is work extra whenever they are at a friend's house or have a friend over (guilt-free work time). Also mine are old enough to pitch in with housework, etc. so that helps. My advice is to set aside some time even if its only 1/2 hour or 1 hour a day where you are totally focused on your kids and also set time aside each day where you are totally focused on yourself. Its super hard and you won't always be successful but the days you can do that you will feel refreshed and hopeful. Also, if you are with a company that is letting you be flexible at all then definitely count your blessings because they are hard to come by. I'm struggling financially too so I know how hard it is. Just know that you are not alone and that you can get through it day by day.

I feel your pain, but consider this - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
Either it's a job or it's not. Suppose you did not work at home. If you worked elsewhere, you would still have job responsibilities regardless of your family's needs (within reason). This job takes dedication and self-discipline. So, you have decide that you want to work full, and do it, or you want to work part-time around your family.

Doing transcription quota is important. If you can not meet the needs of the company, someone else will. You have to be reliable. If you work full time, you may need to hire a sitter, nanny, or check into daycare even part-time. You may need to do a split-shift, working after the children go to bed. You do not say how old your children are, and that would have the biggest determining factor.

Need Advice continued.... - Conflicted

[ In Reply To ..]
I have been contemplating maybe even switching transcription companies. Not sure though. Are most straight transription or voice recognition these days? or perhaps a combination of both? I have been at this 2 years and thought I would be making more money at this than I am. Maybe it is just a rut that I am in. I am an IC contracted at 800 transcribed lines per day. Is that a lot or the norm? This is considered part-time for the company I am with. This is my first and only company I have been with, so maybe it is just burnout with them and time to move on. I am a mom of 6 active boys ranging in age from 4 months to 11 years and work outside the home about 13 hours a week on Friday and Saturday as well. I need to make chanbes somewhere whether it be personally, professionally, or both. I think I may wait until after the holidays though. Ahh... Decisions!

Flexibility is key... - knowhow

[ In Reply To ..]
If your company will let you do 800 lines (I'm guessing that is 4 hours) a day and you can pick those 4 hours then I would be happy. Flexibility is going away fast in this industry so cherish it if you have it. No idea what your line rate is either so It's hard to speak on the amount you are making. 6 boys is a lot and you must be constantly running! I agree with the previous post about maybe splitting your shift or looking into daycare. My advice would be to figure out what you can make outside the home and then factor in the cost of daycare, etc. You'll just have to do the math to figure out what is right financially and listen to your gut about what is right for your family. Best of luck and happy holidays!

If you are caring for "6 active boys", I don't know how you get work done at all - sm

[ In Reply To ..]
I wouldn't be able to work and care for even a couple of children. It's amazing that you can get anything done.

It seems to me that something like general transcription would be a better fit for you. It would have less pressure and lend itself to more interruptions than medical transcription. I would be making lots of mistakes if I were caring for children while transcribing medical documents. That just doesn't sound like a good fit, at all!

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