Wondering how to balance running a business with having a baby? Psychologist Jocelyn Brewer and Never Not Creative founder Andy Wright tackle this complex question with refreshing honesty. From planning your financial runway to building flexible support systems, this conversation cuts through the glossy "have it all" narrative to give you practical strategies for one of life's biggest transitions. Whether you're 36 and feeling the biological clock tick or just starting to think about family planning, this real-talk guide covers the challenges nobody warns you about and the support systems that actually work.
Starting a family while running a business feels like trying to solve an impossible equation. The glossy "you can have it all" narrative doesn't prepare you for the reality of sleepless nights, shifting priorities, and the constant tug-of-war between being present as a parent and keeping your business alive.
This question was answered by Jocelyn Brewer, a psychologist and cyberpsychology consultant who specialises in the intersection of psychology, technology, and authentic wellbeing. The session was hosted by Andy Wright, founder of Never Not Creative and CEO of Streamtime, who champions making the creative industry kinder and fairer.
"Parenting is full-time. Your business is full-time and again that maths does not work," Jocelyn explains. "You've still only got 24 hours in the day and your sleep is going to be cut to shreds." This isn't about discouraging you, it's about planning with eyes wide open.
The key insight? "The idea of growing a business while having a baby I think is really really tricky. But it's about maybe keeping the wheels moving, using a really great but lean team to keep that plotting along."
Before the baby arrives, get crystal clear on your financial needs and what a lean business looks like. Jocelyn suggests "getting really clear on your work and your niche so that you're not having scarcity mentality about I've got to get any work but actually getting the work that speaks most to you."
This focus becomes crucial because "when you become a parent, you know, for men and women, our values really change and absolutely reclarify."
Here's what the parenting books don't tell you: "Once you've mastered one level of parenting, it changes and then you have to start again. And that happens for 18 years plus." Jocelyn's own experience illustrates this perfectly. Her baby was "fantastic until she learned to roll over and then it was game over because that kid was like, I can roll over and play. I'm not sleeping anymore."
The most successful people managing both business and parenting are "the ones who are very flexible." You won't really know what you can handle until you meet your baby and see how they fit into your world.
Practical support makes all the difference. Jocelyn shares how she "made sure I had a gym with a crèche and I handed her over to a very nice Greek lady at fitness playground in Marrickville three days a week." This wasn't just about fitness – it was about maintaining her wellbeing while getting essential childcare.
Consider this an opportunity to reimagine your business structure. Maybe you don't need to run your business the way you always have. Perhaps it's time to develop leadership within your team or hire people ready to step up, which "could be really freeing."
Never Not Creative's Circles programme offers peer support groups specifically designed for creatives facing life's challenges. These monthly sessions connect you with other creatives in similar situations, providing a safe space to share experiences and practical strategies for managing work-life balance.
Circles could be particularly valuable during this transition, offering ongoing support from people who understand the unique pressures of creative work alongside major life changes. The programme focuses on mental health education, peer support, and practical action planning – exactly what you need when navigating the complex world of business ownership and new parenthood.
Having a baby while running a business isn't impossible, but it requires honest planning, flexible thinking, and a strong support network. Focus on keeping your business lean rather than growing it, get clear on your values and priorities, and remember that flexibility will be your greatest asset.
Most importantly, be kind to yourself. This is one of life's biggest transitions, and it's okay if it doesn't look like the glossy version you might have imagined.
Psychologist & cyberpsychology consultant who created Digital Nutrition, a framework for healthy tech habits. Champions mindful, sustainable tech use through speaking, writing & consulting.
Founder of Never Not Creative, CEO of Streamtime & co-chair of Mentally Healthy, driven to make the creative industry fairer & more human. Believes great work should never cost wellbeing.
