This week’s Boss Ladies Who Had Babies feature is Rachel of Pencil Shavings Studio. Her colourful interiors, bold style, and charming personality make her one to follow.
She has two lovely boys, her youngest of which was born in 2015. She conquered motherhood as a self employed designer, and her journey/advice are always worth a read.
Check out my answers, Kelly from Studio DIY’s, Meagan Williamson’s (Pinterest Consultant)’s and Ashley from Sugar & Cloth.
1. When was your baby due / did you welcome a child?
2007, 2015
2. What was your maternity leave plan? ex. Did your social channels go dark? did you have a backlog of content? Did you keep creating but at a lower output?
With my firstborn, it was pre-blogging days, and I was working as a graphic designer. I was freaked out about not knowing how everything would turn out, so I shut down in the months leading up to my due date. Listening to my gut was the right thing because as it turned out, he came 7 weeks early and had a prolonged NICU stay. When my 2nd was born, I was juggling dual roles as online shopkeeper and blogger. I had an assistant, thankfully, but again, I listened to my gut and took as much off my plate as possible. I went on maternity leave in the couple of weeks prior to my due date, and then I also took a guilt-free 6 weeks off afterwards. I was ready to return to it once the six weeks had passed. I blogged from time to time, but it was on a personal level, and only as I felt like it.
3. Did you have a partner that was able to take mat/ pat leave at the same time? Can you describe the type of role they played in supporting you?
My shop assistant was responsible for customer service, but again, I’d closed the shop on vacation mode, so there wasn’t really anything to do.
4. What was something you think you did really well during the first few months postpartum, in terms of work-life balance?
Babies don’t keep. And I had waited so long for that 2nd baby that I wanted to focus as much time as possible on enjoying those newborn days. They’re hard enough on their own without having to worry about work. Give yourself a ton of grace. You’re about to experience the hardest – and best – days of your life. But also, I knew with experience from my firstborn that in order to be the best mom, I have to be healthy and happy. That means recognizing when I started to feel off with PPD and getting the help and support I immediately needed.
5. What’s something you could have done better during the first few months, in terms of work-life balance?
Cut myself some slack. It’s a season – it doesn’t last forever.
6. Did you have a work team to support you during your initial months / year? What kind of role did they play?
No
7. Business wise, did you anticipate and plan for a shift in content to reflect your changing situation? Or did your brand not change at all?
There was lots of baby related content. But I didn’t feel guilt about that. It’s MY blog, nobody else’s.
8. How did you manage the transition back to “full time” working life once you were ready? (nanny, more studio/work help, shorter work days)
With my firstborn, I became really adept at packing a lot into naptimes and after-bedtime hours. I could get a TON of work done in a little amount of time. I daresay I was far more productive with a baby than I ever was prior to having kids, because I *had* to be. Your time is so limited, so you really have to maximize it. With my second, it was a lot harder because I was much more tired from taking care of both of them. I fully took advantage of Mother’s Day Out twice a week. My youngest is now in preschool, and I feel like I can see the light at the end of the tunnel.
9. Having done it once, are you considering doing it a second time? *wink wink*
Well, after our second born, we are totally DONE. Haha He’s a crazypants.
10. Is there one piece of advice you wish other self-employed moms knew about?
Take care of yourself. Remember that the work will always be there; but those babies won’t always be little. You’ll feel lost a bit – like you’ve lost who you are – and that’s ok. She’s still in there, I promise. And it’s ok to also love your work and want to get back to it as soon as possible. There’s not one right way to be a Mom. Find your mom tribe and hold tight to them.