Happy New Year (I'm a bit late to the party).

But it's because during the first week of 2022, we welcomed our third baby to the family! I've attempted to write this newsletter in my head a few times. But then I get distracted and delay it another week.

I'm almost halfway through the fourth trimester and trying to relax as much as I can. We've all been home for most of January, everyone is well thanks to help from family and friends and we're getting used to our new routines.

Although I will say despite my setting up out of office responders, letting people know I'd be offline, going off Facebook and Instagram in 2021 and wrapping up the podcast, I did have an email response the morning of his birth to something I'd been exploring for over a year – I'm not sure what will come of it but it seemed fitting and like a good omen. It also reminded me of the fact, you can't plan for everything!

Since then, I've been living in a haze of medicine scheduling, cluster feedings and slowly building up to more activity each week as it was also my third c-section.

I don't often write about the logistics or health procedures behind my pregnancies, deliveries and postpartum periods but all of my pregnancy experiences have had some form of complications, so I've gotten used to going with the flow and taking it slower than I'd like to.

All lessons I can apply in other areas of my life and work.

When I had my first baby overseas, I was working remotely as a freelancer and felt I could do more once I was six week postpartum. I was full of ideas and it was a time of inspiration, new connections, research and exploration, when I participated in a weekly startup program.

When I had my second baby, I had wrapped up a temporary contract and was prepared with a launch plan to test and validate my ideas, taking action through showing up, accidental activism and creating new experiences for others, working during the naptime routines and on weekends.

Between then and now, a lot has changed. I don't think I need to elaborate when it comes to current global and local events, workforce participation and the uptake of remote work technologies but I'm proud of what we accomplished as a community leading up to 2020 and since then online.

BUT throughout this pregnancy I have felt the need to recalibrate.

Recalibrate my work, routines, ideas, theories, a number of things big and small that I felt I had outgrown, were no longer working or were not serving my highest good when it comes the health of my body, baby and this business.

When I tried to do things the same way, this baby and my body challenged me to try otherwise. Now that he's arrived, it's clear the way we previously ran our household will no longer work (for the time being) and we need to test out a few different ideas, approaches or perhaps...reinvent who I am as a parent altogether?

Or put more simply, to do less, not try so hard and take my cues from others (mostly under the age of six) for the time being.

One thing I did remember from my previous experiences: It's hard to type while holding or feeding a newborn! And in these early days, they are held and fed a lot. But I'm trying to be more present and in the moment, so many of my thoughts as it relates to work are getting shelved or put on hold for now.

I guess I could have tried dictation but in the end I've settled for standing at the kitchen counter (a favourite writing spot), wearing him in the baby carrier and typing while the oven fan runs for white noise.

Hopefully I will be able to resume a somewhat regular bi-weekly schedule after the fourth trimester ends but until April, this is as best a roundup of parent-friendly business news, events and opportunities I could manage.

Enjoy the read and in the meantime, if you'd like to explore my flexible work resources (podcast mini episodes, time blocking template, babies + business mini guide, remote work retreat course, startup blogging book and ebook), you can find them all here: https://mixingbabiesandbusiness.vipmembervault.com/

I'd love to keep talking about flexible work over the coming year, if you know of any organizations seeking to provide fresh content around creative workflows or more inclusive business solutions for parents, please do get in touch with me by replying to this email or simply visit the website: mixingbabiesandbusiness.com/contact

If you have a moment, please let me know how your first few weeks of 2022 have been and what your business plans are for the coming months.

Take care, look after yourselves and your little ones,

– Amy Lynch (+ Family)

Founder, Event + Podcast Host

Mixing Babies And Business™

P.S. If you'd like to keep in touch with me and this community please:

• Stay on this email list (these newsletters will slow down from Jan-Mar)
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 PARENT-FRIENDLY  BUSINESS NEWS / OPPORTUNITIES / EVENTS FOR YOU

No paid ads or sponsorship involved, just spreading the word and business goodness for you:

• IDEAS: One of our lovely community members saw this post on LinkedIn about a parent and child-friendly workstation at a local library and thought of me, tagging me in the comments. Some days I don't know if what I'm writing about is getting read but these types of moments gladly remind me to keep going!

• ACTIVISM: Another LinkedIn post from Joeli Brearley of Pregnant Then Screwed reminding us to keep pushing for maternity and parental leave rights.

• INDUSTRY: UN Women has released an article on 16 defining moments for gender equality in 2021.

• EXIT: They Got Acquired was launched by Alexis Grant this week as a news website, newsletter and podcast featuring business success stories sold for between $100K–$50M.

• INSPIRATION: A few podcasts I'm tuning into during the fourth trimester, thought I'd share them with you too: Doing It For The Kids / Chill & Prosper / Hello7 / Being Boss / Limitless Life Experience.

• NETWORKING: The Mom Project is closing the next round of their mentorship program on Tuesday, February 15: Apply to RALLY, a peer-to-peer mentoring program for moms to make connections and get practical career advice.

• STARTUP: Join Founders Fund x BDC on Friday, February 18 for Seasons of Success Winter Edition, a free online event for businesses seeking support with goals, planning and setup.

• STARTUP: Get your free ticket to FemTech Untapped: An online global program for all things femtech and women’s health, focused on creating accessible and inclusive solutions for the future of healthcare on Thursday, February 24.

• STARTUP: Check out Invest Ottawa's International Women's Week calendar of events and get involved from February 28 to March 12, 2022.

• FUNDING: The Women’s Enterprise Organizations of Canada is seeking feedback to their Loans, Capital and Women Entrepreneurs Survey between now and March 6, 2022.

• WELLNESS: SheEO wants to flip the script in the lead up to International Women's Day because of burnout, the pandemic, unpaid labour, and is encouraging you to join them in #IWD4ME.

• WELLNESS: Check out the Mixing Babies + Business Remote Work [Virtual] Retreat if you're seeking a simple and refreshing way to reassess your current work and life routines.

Crafted with 💜 and care in Canada

Sending you positive vibes and parenthood solidarity ✨

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