This photo was taken five (5) years ago this week in England by a friend on one of our many walks around London with our new babies...hard to believe!

Although I still have the kid (he's much bigger), jacket (stored in Ireland for now) and boots (only ones I can get on at 33 weeks pregnant). And we only donated the diaper bag recently to get one with more pockets.

I've been missing connecting in person with my friends, family and the parents and kiddos who belong to this lovely community – this pregnancy has really had me hibernating in 2021.

In 2022, I'll be focusing on sharing the podcast and digital resources with listeners and community members in different ways. 💡

I'm taking a pause in the first quarter of the year and will be playing it by ear based on my labour, delivery, recovery, mental health, baby's health and of course, my energy levels.

I'm preparing to go offline for a while and won't be using IG/FB to share updates or happenings with Mixing Babies And Business™.

It's something I've been thinking about over the past few months and this past week on LinkedIn, a connection's post about everyone's maternity leave plans for business owners prompted me to detail my previous experiences and future plans.

In a nutshell, I've had four very different pregnancies and I will share more details on my personal blog over the coming week if you're interested.

But for now, I've been doing some tech nesting, like updating and scheduling out of office responses, blocking off my calendars, updating my website pages, terms and conditions, renewing IT subscriptions, networking to look at client bookings for the second half of 2022 and working through my finances and bookkeeping before tax season visits us in Canada.

Is there anything you did before your baby's arrival that you found helped you feel more prepared going into the next phase of the fourth trimester?

Reply to this email, I'd love to hear your feedback and personal experiences if you're open to sharing them.

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)
• Follow the Mixing Babies And Business™ Company Page on LinkedIn
• Follow / Subscribe to the Mixing Babies And Business™ Podcast on iTunes | Spotify | Google | Stitcher | Podcast Website

Enjoy the rest of your weekend and I'll be back in your inbox December 17th before breaking for the holidays (and to have this baby). 🚼📊

– Amy Lynch (+ Family)

Founder, Event + Podcast Host

Mixing Babies And Business™

Photo by the lovely @carlaastronomo 💚

 MIXING BABIES AND BUSINESS™  PODCAST

>> Listen now: iTunes | Spotify | Google | Stitcher | Podcast Website

Catch up on Season 3's mini episodes, these ones are out now:

• EP 39–40 | Transitioning to part-time and negotiating for flexibility as you return to work with Jane Downes | PT 1 & 2
• EP 36–38 | Advocating for maternal health and cultivating digital wellness spaces with Adonica Shaw | PT 1, 2 & 3
• EP 33–35 | Building a sustainable Indigenous beauty brand and learning a new industry with Jennifer Harper | PT 1, 2 & 3
• EP 32 | Season 3 welcome and introduction to our parent-friendly professional development podcast with Amy Lynch

PT 3 of my chat with Jane is dropping December 7, followed by my final interview with Rashmi Sirdeshpande, a bonus episode of my parentpreneur talk for Startup Vancouver and my Season 3 wrap up.

🌟 Thanks for listening, please subscribe and leave a review – it helps others find the podcast!

TUNE INTO THE PODCAST

 PARENT-FRIENDLY  BUSINESS NEWS / OPPORTUNITIES / EVENTS FOR YOU

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

• EMPLOYMENT: An article from The Globe And Mail outlining eight steps to finding a mentor and a Q&A about approaching your employer if you're experiencing mental health difficulties.

• ACTIVISM: I attended a free virtual training about Bystander Intervention from Hollaback! as part of 16 Days of Activism to End Gender-Based Violence last week and I found it very helpful. As someone who has experienced following/harassment in my local community when I've been alone with my children, the five tools outlined are practical and easy to remember for yourself and to help others. They have upcoming free sessions available and also created resources for children ages 3 and up.

• ACTIVISM: Rachel Rodgers of Hello Seven covers movement marketing as a business strategy and shares her latest charitable initiative, the Hello Seven Foundation, launched this past month to provide funding for doulas, night nurses and childcare to Black mothers in need.

• INVESTING: Watch the FEMPIRE x SoGal webinar replay about Angel Investing from late November and read their angel investor training glossary.

• INVESTING: If you're a female founder looking to raise funds, join Women of Wearables Global for their ‘Meet the investor office hours’ with Katherine Gilroy of Seedrs to learn more on Thursday, December 9, 2021.

• INDUSTRY: PARO Centre for Women's Enterprise has a short online survey for women entrepreneurs to help improve their own services and supports during the pandemic. Participants will be entered in a draw to win a holiday gift basket from Wabano Fine Chocolates and the deadline to complete the survey is Wednesday, December 17, 2021.

• INDUSTRY: This LinkedIn post from Leah Chaney on work/life balance, culture and benefits has been getting a lot of attention – I'm sharing it with you because it references showing up to a Zoom call with peanut butter in your hair as a parent and I thought you could use some solidarity.

• INDUSTRY: A LinkedIn post from Christine Michel Carter sharing her kids' photos as a virtual water cooler moment, encouraging others to blur the lines between parenthood and professional appearances.

• FUNDING: CANIE MICRO-GRANTS of $5,000 are available now! The Innovators & Entrepreneurs Foundation is committed to supporting entrepreneurs in marginalized communities across Canada, applicants must have been officially running their business for at least one full year and can apply online until Monday, January 10, 2022.

Crafted with 💜 and care in Canada

Sending you positive vibes and parenthood solidarity ✨

Copyright © 2016–2021 Amy Maureen Lynch, All rights reserved.

You are receiving this email as you have indicated your interest in Mixing Babies And Business™ / Babies, Business + Breakfast™ and/or registered via our online opt-in. We don't SPAM, do third party advertising or share your details. Only parenthood and professional development goodness to keep you motivated and informed!