When my son was born, I was back in work mode just days later. As the co-founder of an agency, maternity leave wasn’t as neatly packaged as I expected. While I was in hospital, clients were changing projects and shifting budgets. Staff changes needed my immediate attention. The business I had built from the ground up still pulled at me - even as I was recovering from childbirth.

For many founders, maternity leave isn’t a transition - it’s a collision. The pressure to be fully present for both your newborn and your business is immense. Unlike in traditional employment, where policies can (and should!) exist to provide structure and support for women, stepping away from your own company can feel impossible.

But in the midst of that, I learned this: You don’t have to choose between being a great mother and a great business owner. When you embrace both roles, they don’t compete - they can fuel each other, making you stronger, more focused and more fulfilled in both.

Accepting That My Maternity Leave Would Look Different

I remember the moment it hit me.

I was at the first session of my local mothers’ group, sitting in a circle with other new mums, each sharing their experiences—their challenging or blissful birth stories, their battles with exhaustion, their all-consuming love for their babies.

I could see my phone flashing. My business partner was calling. I tried to ignore it. I tried to sit in that space and absorb the moment, like I thought I was supposed to. But my mind was elsewhere. The weight of work pressed on my thoughts, and I felt instantly that I was in the wrong place. I wasn’t in a newborn bubble—my urgent to-do list tugged at my attention, refusing to be ignored.

That day, I walked out and accepted something that changed everything for me: I wasn’t going to be able to just “switch off.” And that was okay.

I had spent weeks trying to force myself into a version of maternity leave that didn’t suit me. I thought I was supposed to surrender to the chaos, to let go, to “just rest.” But for me, action has always been the antidote to anxiety. When I finally gave myself permission to structure my time in a way that worked for me—rather than following a conventional maternity leave model— it became easier to settle into a groove.

Finding What Works for You

There’s no single way to navigate maternity leave as a founder. But here’s what I’ve learned:

Let go of the fear of “missing out.” Your business will survive if you take a breath. Your child will be okay if you need to work.

Be clear about what you want to be part of versus what you need to be part of. In the early days, I would often say, “I have to be working.” And while that was true for certain things, there were other parts I genuinely wanted to be involved in. If your business brings you joy, own that. It’s not something to apologise for.

Give yourself the structure you need. For me, creating a framework helped me stay clear about how much I could realistically take on. I had honest conversations with my business partner (who was incredibly supportive) and focused only on tasks that were urgent, important, or allowed me to flex my creative muscles. I stepped back from day-to-day meetings that would pull me too closely into the grind.

Ignore the judgment and outdated expectations. I was surprised by how many people told me how “lucky” I was because my husband was “taking on” so much with the baby - while no one blinked an eye when he returned to the office after two weeks. And while I was grateful for his extraordinary support as I navigated work demands, we were both there to parent as equal partners.

Ban the word “guilt.” Language is powerful - and the fact that we only hear about mum guilt and not dad guilt says a lot about the relentless societal conditioning placed on women. Focus on what you are doing, not what you’re not.

Time away from your baby isn’t a bad thing. People asked how hard it must have been to put my baby in childcare when he was so young (a privilege, I must add). But for me, that first daycare drop-off was a relief. After three months of trying to juggle everything from home, I finally had the space and structure I needed to show up fully—for both my work and my child.

Protect your energy as a mum and a founder. I don’t subscribe to the notion that a mother has to put herself last. Both your family and business need you to be the strongest, happiest version of yourself. Amid the madness, I made sure to prioritise myself—whether that meant squeezing in regular exercise or getting dressed up in my favourite clothes to feel like myself again.

And know this: the hard days don’t last. The first weeks feel like a storm you’ll never emerge from - but you will. The business will stabilise. The chaos will settle. You’ll find moments of calm. And one day, you’ll look back and realise you did it your way.

The Groove Comes- And It’s Worth the Fight

The truth is, both ‘mother’ and ‘business owner’ demand everything from you. And there were days when the weight of it all felt crushing - when I stared at my son, tears in my eyes, and asked, “How am I going to get through this?” But we did it together.

I learned to trust myself - to block out the noise and lean into what worked for us. I realised that showing up for my business didn’t make me less of a mother, and showing up for my son didn’t make me less of a leader.

I found my rhythm. We found our groove. And I’m proud of myself. I’m proud of us. And I’m proud of what I’ve built.

For too long, women have been conditioned to believe that stepping away means falling behind. But just as damaging is the notion that prioritising your work somehow makes you less of a mother.

So to any founder navigating this season: You are doing enough. And the way you make it work is right - however that looks for you.

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