This is a cross-post from Speaking of Translation, the podcast that I co-host with Eve Bodeux.
Hot on the heels of our Being a freelancer and being a mom episode (which logged almost 1,000 downloads in its first week!), we’ve put three freelancing dads in the hot seat. We asked them about many of the same topics as our freelancing moms: how they managed taking time off when their kids were born, how they handle work, child care/school and family responsibilities now, and what they tell their clients about their family situations. We think you’ll enjoy this episode (lots of inspiration and creative ideas for other freelancing dads!), and thanks very much to our guests:
Miguel Armentia has academic degrees both in biochemistry and translation, and became a full-time freelance translator in 2008. Miguel translates English and French into Spanish and specializes in medical and IT translation. In addition, Miguel is a member of the IT Commission of Tremédica (the International Association of Translators and Editors in Medicine and Applied Science). He is the dad of two daughters, ages 1 and 3 1/2.
Jonathan Downie is a conference interpreter working between French and English, as well as a researcher, writer and speaker. He is based in Edinburgh, Scotland, where he lives with his wife and two children who are 1 ½ and 3. He is currently finishing a PhD on expectations of interpreters at Heriot-Watt University and writing his first book, 10 Challenges for the Future of Interpreting, as well as serving on the board of the Institute of Translation and Interpreting.
James Perry is a French-to-English freelance translator and lives in a Scottish Highland glen with his wife and 8-year-old adopted daughter. He is an Associate member of the Institute of Translation and Interpreting. James specializes in subtitle translations for French media companies. He translates current affairs programmes, documentaries, cooking programmes and films: these include police thrillers and romantic comedy! He loves the variety and the fact that he is always learning.
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Being a freelancer and being a dad
I love this idea. As well as enjoying your articles. Many of us are fortunate to be able to work online from home. Technology is a great thing. While I still have to work at home, I wouldn’t trade it for the world. Being there with the babies makes everything worth while. Congrats to all the dads!!
Um, I still can’t find the podcast feed link anywhere?
Geof, you can subscribe in the right-hand sidebar; otherwise your feed reader should have a “discover feeds” function. Let me know if that works.
Huh, for some reason putting the feed URL into my podcast app for a third time actually worked. Well don’t I feel like kind of a butt. Thanks for the help!
Great episode! Work life balance can be hard to achieve