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A NOTE  FROM AMY

I don't always share my pre-parenthood stories but when I began entering startup spaces in 2016 with our first baby, it's something I tapped into when uncovering my 'WHY' behind the problems I wanted to solve.

On International Women's Day, during Women's History Month, it feels appropriate to share it.

This isn't only my story to tell, but it is embedded in me, within my DNA. I have been connected to these people since before I was born. As I've become a mother myself, these parts of my history have been shared with me in more detail.

Although they never got to meet our children – my own grandmothers and the ways in which they helped raise, witness and encourage me are parts of the results of my approaches to parenting, creativity and work to this day.

Their stories also inform what I focus on with my own healing, reimagining and in some cases, advocacy for, in this lifetime. It's connected to how you and I are meeting again, through this newsletter.

T/W: Violence against women and baby loss mentioned – please don't read this if you don't feel safe to do so – if you or someone you know is in harm, please contact your local support services (here are links to those in Canada / Australia / United States / United Kingdom / Ireland).

I am the granddaughter of a woman who left her husband, marriage and teenage children to survive. And the daughter of the woman who helped drive her to a safe space to do.

As a child, both of my grandmothers were my first best friends. Unfortunately, my maternal grandmother didn't live to see me become a teenager, traveller or parent. But she did pass along her stories, ceramics and creative pursuits. I would often explore her home woodworking shop or visit her at the lumber yard office where she worked, with my mom and sisters. The smell of saw dust never bothered me.

My paternal grandmother stayed with us longer, and met my now husband, before we moved to Australia and again, after marrying before we relocated to Europe. I still have our handwritten letters. She used to ask me how I found it on the other side of the world and would send details of the local weather back home. She never met our three children but got to know their father who came from where her ancestors did. In many ways, I can still feel her presence.

Aside from my grandmothers, my whole life I have been surrounded by examples of women who have experienced difficult, unjust and painful things. Domestic violence, near death experiences, loss, loneliness, addiction and illness.

But I have also been surrounded by these same women who create, cultivate, care and continue on. Their approach to life has never been to shrink, give up or become hardened.

They turned sometimes inexplicable situations into vibrant gardens, artwork, comforting food – outward expressions of compassion, love and harmony all within their own control.

Through crafts, building, planting, weeding, cooking and baking. Tending to animals, raising children and funds for local causes. Feeding others' kids, turning into first aid on the spot and cleaning up others' messes – literally and figuratively.

Managing bookkeeping, hiring help, growing businesses, lifting others up, learning new skills, volunteering at the voting booth. Singing and dancing, celebrating everyday and special occasions, reconnecting with friends, sometimes years or decades later.

Now as an adult, I find myself with a partner who has come from a similar background, with its' own unique set of difficult circumstances. And the three little humans we are raising are growing up from the places we carry with us and choose to break cycles from.

Together, we've experienced exciting times and celebrations, moving countries, studying, travelling, meeting people, advancing professionally, learning sports, changing addresses many times and making lasting friendships in new places.

And we've endured our own difficult things as a family – being stalked when alone with my children by a former partner, miscarriage, unfair dismissal on parental leave, a car accident with my youngest child and relearning how to parent, live and work with invisible disability.

While I wouldn't wish these experiences on anyone, the knowledge of what the women in my family have been through – yet how they still created, cultivated, cared and continued on in spite of it all – has reassured and bolstered me.

I may have hidden for a while. Healed in private. But with each trying circumstance, I practiced advocating for my needs in real time. Became more comfortable speaking with authorities and people in positions of power or care.

There were many times I spoke in public while I was being stalked and wasn't afraid of the audience but of what could happen to me between the venue, the parking lot and my home because I felt safer in a crowded room.

The shame, embarrassment and disbelief during multiple trips to the ER, failing to be fully treated by doctors on duty before finally getting an urgent referral for D&C, felt more exposing and unnerving than anything I have yet to experience when handed a microphone.

Forgetting how to lace up my son's skates, blanking on important calendar details and experiencing sudden dizziness after a brain injury, has been more disorienting and humbling than sitting at a boardroom table, presenting to politicians and leaders about what they can do to make entrepreneurship more inclusive for parents.

Like my grandmothers and the other women in my family, I didn't shrink or close myself off to the world around me. But I couldn't hold space well for others if I wasn't in the process of learning how best to heal and tend to myself.

With each challenge, I learn. One of the things I've discovered is the more I heal...the more resilient I become...fiercer I appear but the softer I really feel.

I've come to realize and accept for myself this is not going to be an either/or life. Joy or anger. Peace or activism. Calm or defiance.

I can cultivate safe spaces, speak up for others AND create beauty, ideas and experiences in the world, using my hands, mind and voice.

Part of my creative practice involves alchemizing pain, hurt and emotions into writing, art and impact. I refuse to hold it all within me as anger and frustration because I know what I don't release or transmute will be passed on.

All of my lived experiences (the good, the bad and the ugly) have unlocked new layers of mindfulness and presence, influenced my priorities, changed the ways I parent, made my creativity more urgent, my fears less magnified and at the same time, simplified what really matters and can't be taken from me.

It has given me sharper clarity on WHY safe and inclusive spaces for primary caregivers and their children is crucial. Highlighting even more, all of the ways in which we aren't protected or provided for in corporate culture, politics, business environments and society in general.

This isn't a dress rehearsal: Your version of parenting, life and work may look and feel completely different than it did when you first became a parent.

And if not, are we really immersed in experiencing life, being present, evolving and creating the kind of world we want future generations to grow up in?

I acknowledge my origin story forms a foundation for much of what I do as a parent but also as a creative professional who has the freedom to express myself, experience joy, speak up and earn money from those practices. I will never take it for granted and I will always speak up for those who don't feel safe to do so.

I'm still here. If you're reading these words, so are you.

Do you identify with anything I've written?

How does your origin story influence the ways in which you choose or choose not to engage with parenting, life and work?

This personal letter from me was inspired by a post from Chupi Sweetman, about her own mother on International Women's Day and is dedicated to all of the individuals who came before me and will arrive after me, who choose not only to endure but to thrive, do no harm and leave something good in their place.

Thanks for reading and witnessing me on this journey of creating more parent-friendly professional development for others and their families.

✨ Have a great week/end + keep growing 🌷

– Amy Lynch (+ Family)

Founder + Podcast Host

Mixing Babies And Business™

Watch back my previous 'presenting/pitching with kids' videos via:

YouTube // LinkedIn // IG @mixingbabiesandbusiness // FB Page

Next week: In the spirit of celebrating 15 years since meeting the person I am raising three kids with / March Break / St Patrick's Day – I’ll livestream (most likely with our toddler) about how when we first met, I was on stage, speaking on a mic and sold him event tickets within 20 minutes. ☘️💸

Q for you: Anything you'd like to learn about/ask?

🚼📊 Connect with me and other parents in 2025: Spend time with the ones you love, while investing in yourself

JOIN US IN 2025

Still not sure? Watch this video to get an overview and visual representation of what we’ll be covering.

You may be setting out to build a startup, launch a small business, freelancing, working flexibly or simply looking to meet other like-minded parents interested in making progress on their professional goals while also living life with young kids. All are welcome – join our movement. Bring your kids!

P.S. Keep showing up (as and when you can). It all matters.

Book call to chat about your journey mixing babies and business:

https://tidycal.com/amymaureenlynch/quick-connection-call

More from Mixing Babies And Business™:

• Join the Community in 2025
• Waitlist for the Changemaker Program in 2025
• Explore my digital resource hub
• Tune into the podcast on iTunes | Spotify | Stitcher | Website

**Thanks for reading, I hope it helps you (share with friends if you think they'd be interested). Please reply if you have feedback or questions about the above!

I aim to respond within 72 hours Tuesday–Friday**

An independent newsletter crafted with 💜 and care in Canada

Sending you positive vibes and parenthood solidarity ✨

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