Wednesday, July 13, 2011

The case for maternity leave

Milk Brain
Above: picture of what nursing does to my son
Below: transcript of what nursing does to my brain

This is my first time being self employed after having a baby so it's been somewhat challenging staying away from work. Mainly because no one is currently paying me. And even though I've let it be known that I'm mostly on maternity leave, I'm still kind of taking orders but mostly not. So when a potential client called me the other day asking about a ketubah for an August wedding, I understood why maternity leave is so critical, especially in the first few months. This is how the conversation went:

her: So how does it work exactly?
me: Well, basically once you decide on a design and make your buy, I mean buy your transaction. I mean make your transaction, then I will send you the different texts to choose from and something to write in your information. Like a form. On the computer. A pdf.
her: You mean like an in-take form?
me: Yes. that. And then you fill it in with your details and tell me which text you want for the inside. That I can flow in. For the Hebrew part and the English too. which you can also write yourself. But you don't have too. I have texts. Jesus, someone take the phone away from me.
her: Can you send the texts now so I can get a head start?
me: Sure, no problem. Just send me your email address in an ETSY convo.
her: How about if you just write it down since we're on the phone.
me: Right. good idea. I'll just write that down.
her: Great. I really appreciate your taking this order even though you're on leave.
me: Yes. I appreciate you too. I mean *it*. I appreciate it. The order. And you, too. Thanks.

Remind me not to go on the radio or on any talk shows in the next few months since I sound like a moron.

8 comments:

painted fish studio said...

eh, it's what i sound like after a bottle of wine the night before. and i fuktion pretty good.

Susie Lubell said...

classic

Anonymous said...

SO funny and true! I have a 12-week-old, on leave from my job as a lawyer, and nursing also messes with my speech patterns. I shudder to imagine myself in a courtroom right now: "Your object, I HONOR. I mean your honor, I have an jobtection. Gadies and lentilmen of the jury..."

Susie Lubell said...

Lentilmen! I love it.

jane said...

he´s beautiful! congratulations!!!
and don´t worry! the brain freeze doesn´t last. ;)
big hugs!!

elisa said...

Oh my! Yes, I remember conversations like that too. I used to have to laugh about it to the person and explain that I had a baby-brain. Not sure if it would work for a buyer but Etsy buyers can be very nice with stuff like that. Hopefully you can keep conversations to email and convos until you're able to get the words out a little better.

pixie said...

oh god and mary. i come here to see the baby and spit my late night moonshine out on my laptop. i think this is what i sound like, even without the 'shine. i miss you, girl. are you crazy taking orders?? HE'S AMAZING. and milkdrunk. you're high on oxytocin. flow with it :)

Anonymous said...

Yep, that sounds about right! When I returned to work when my daughter was four months old, I was still nursing and still home with her in my head. It was like I needed a translator with me at all times.