Do you find yourself working ALL the time?

[Melissa]

I've been freelance reporting for about 8 years now. At this point I have a family -- particularly two boys, 3 and almost 5 years old. I work about 3-4 days a week. I feel like I'm working every free second, and if I am not working, I am thinking about it. It sort of hangs over my head constantly. So I was curious if anyone has really mastered their time management. For instance, do you turn your computer off at 5 on Friday night and keep it off till Monday morning so you can be 100 percent for your husband and children??? Do you send your kids to daycare everyday Monday through friday till 6 even if you don't have a depo or you are off early in effort to come STRAIGHT home and proof instead of doing an errand or cleaning your house??? I am searching for a solution. Currently I am proofing with 2 kids hanging all over and whining for a snack!!!! Do you come home from depo at 6, get dinner on, do bath and then turn on computer after kids are in bed and ASLEEP and work ALL night? Do you get up at 4 in the morning before your job and work? Do you go to Starbucks and leave the kids with husband? Inquiring minds want to know :)

[Diana Sasseen]

I reported for about 10 years, then had to stop due to repetitive stress injuries (neck, back, shoulders, arms). I did EVERYTHING myself; I never used a scopist, occasionally used a proofreader. Well, here I am, 10 years later, and just back into reporting. This time will be different. I will use a scopist. It's hard to give up control, but I'm hoping I can adjust. Of course, I will still proofread my jobs. But I believe that if I don't let go of some of it, I will end up an exhausted, stressed-out mess again, and that leads to health issues.

So do you use a scopist or proofreader? That would be my suggestion.

Good luck finding that balance in your life.

Diana

[Mary Jo Cochran]

Diana, you said you quit for ten years. Did you practice to keep up your speed during that time? Are you practicing now to rebuild speed?

[Diana Sasseen]

I knew when I stopped that I would never report again. WRONG! So about two years ago I started practicing. I was shocked at how the steno came back so quickly, but the speed was another story. I actually got a job doing transcription, so used my machine to write it and then bought CAT software to transcribe it. After a year or so, I did a few hearings.

Unfortunately (or not), I had let my CA CSR license lapse after paying it for 6 years. I could not reinstate it - it had been over 3 years, NO EXCEPTIONS! So I practiced, practiced, practiced and just passed this last CSR. Whew! So am taking my first depo in, actually, 12 years next Tuesday. I actually think it was best that I had to retake the CSR. It made me practice like a maniac, and I'm confident of my skills again.

So happy to be back in the field! I always loved the job, but I just didn't pay attention to the warning signs that my body was giving me. Now it's regular visits to the chiro and massage therapist. Last week I gave the chiro permission to smack me if I come in and say something's been hurting for two months. He is now allowed to smack me and say, "So why did it take you two months to show up?"

Watch your posture, stretch, don't sit in a chair all day and then come home and sit in front of the computer for six more hours. You have GOT TO MOVE!!!

So there you go!

Diana, formerly CSR 9310, now CSR 13456. (Wish I could have my old number back, but it's officially retired now.)

[Mary Ann Payonk]

Melissa, my grandsons are 3 and 5 years old. When I visit them or they visit me, I clear everything from my plate and give my full attention to them. If I had a job to do, I couldn't do justice to either one. Things I started early on were a housekeeper and using daycare to its full advantage. You must give your full attention to the profession when it's required, and full attention to the family when that is required. I've always felt there should be breakout sessions and free offerings at our conventions for THE FAMILIES of court reporters, including counseling and suggestions on how to cope. And I'm very serious about that. Someone could write a book from the family side of court reporting, and a lot of it would not be pretty. My daughter would tell you how difficult it was for her to know that everything she ever did was dependent upon my work schedule ... but, on the other hand, she wouldn't trade any of it for a minute, because she was able to travel the world before she was in high school, fit in with the crowd she was with because she could get nice clothes, and always had her own car from the day she could drive. Spoiled? Hey, she's got several t-shirts that proclaim that to the world. Now she's a working mom with two kids of her own, and she has a new-found respect for dear old mom here, who's well on the way to spoiling the grandkids appropriately as well.

Money doesn't solve every problem, and money doesn't bring happiness, but not having to worry about where the next paycheck is coming from, or IF there's a next paycheck, takes a lot of stress off of a man/woman personal relationship and also the family dynamic. You have a good job with 3-4 solid days of work per week. Good for you! You work very hard at what you do, bring a lot to the family, so in my opinion it's not an indulgence to have a housekeeper or full-time daycare.

Best of luck to you, dear!

M.A.

[Leslie Johnson]

I think we all know the feeling. Our job requires a lot of self-discipline. My kids are older now, but when they were little, I used to put them to bed every night and then work until 11 or 12 -- or sometimes 2 or 3 am, depending on the work load. I also got a cleaning lady to come in once a week. She was/is worth every penny. Now that my kids are older, I'm working even more and, like Diana, I've given up some control and employed a scopist. I can't tell you what a relief it is to have a competent, conscientious person editing my work. It's definitely helped lessen my stress level.

[Karen Klein]

I think many of us can relate - I've been reporting 29 years, and my children still say I work too much - they are 13 and 16 now. In hindsight, I would have hired a proofer on every job, not been so controlling of my transcripts, have taken more time off and, yes, done with less. Also, much depends on your spouse - mine quit his job and was a stay-at-home dad. Didn't solve all the issues, but how
much does your spouse help out??? I think if you ask your kids in 10 years would they rather have gone on those cool vacations and got all that "stuff" you gave them from reporting or spent more time with mom, it's a no brainer - they'd choose the time. Of course, easy for me to say - I just learned that after 25 years of hard-core reporting.

[Melissa]

Okay, girls -- get this: I do have scopists, 3 or 4 of them AND a housecleaner that comes every other week. Yes, do agree that helps, but i still have so much to read and do!!!! I proof everything. Maybe I just need to work later into the nights!!! :) Oh, and Hubbie does NOT help all that much!!!

[Diana Sasseen]

Hi Melissa,

Have you always felt this overwhelmed by court reporting, or is this something new? I'm asking because in CR school (a LONG time ago), I was totally overwhelmed and decided to quit. Went and told one of my teachers. She told me I looked horrible and pleaded with me to go to the doctor. I went, I had mono (at 30 years old!!). I got better, I became a CSR. (Thank you, Patty Baer, for sending me to the doc.)

Bottom line is CR-ing can definitely be draining and suck the life out of you, but I'm wondering if maybe there's something else going on that's making it exceptionally draining right now.

Something to ponder. Again, I hope you find that "perfect balance" for you.

[Melissa]

It has always been a juggling act; just finally decided to write about it...thinking maybe someone says, oh, yeah, i decided to never work on sundays and that solved it or I only work when kids are in bed or something like that. I went to school in OC and I know Patty Baer. Loved her. I am sure it will become easier when they are in school like elementary school; THen it will be another blog about how I miss them!!! lol

[Diana Sasseen]

Best of luck to you! If Patty was one of your teachers, I'm sure you're a great reporter!

[Karen Klein]

Try to remember to enjoy every minute with your kids - even when they are driving you nuts!! Soon they will be teenagers and then . . . .
Another idea: Try breaking up your days off into segments: work hard for an hour proofing; then take a break and do something with the kids (even a chore around the house they can help with). As far as family events or other things,
people will just have to get used to your job and its unforeseen deadlines - don't sweat that stuff. Just stick to the basics and don't forget to take a bit of time for yourself!!!