Speaking at CreativeMornings Ottawa while babywearing my 10-month-old son in April 2019. Photo by: Finn Lin.

Speaking at CreativeMornings Ottawa while babywearing my 10-month-old son in April 2019. Photo by: Finn Lin.

I believe everyone deserves to design a life that works for them and their family.

Over the past decade, I’ve negotiated remote work arrangements, freelance client work and validated business ideas, in between living and working in Canada, Europe and Australia (and having three kids).

My flexible work movement, Mixing Babies And Business™, is focused on inclusion and belonging for primary caregivers and their children.

In between moving countries, I’ve been writing and speaking about travel, international family life, creativity and flexible work since 2010.

 

Bringing my baby into business settings since 2016 has made me an (accidental) activist.

I started writing about my experiences as I was testing a business idea alongside my newborn and found myself advocating for parents (like me) trying to enter traditionally corporate spaces to access startup programming and opportunities.

I was always the one with the baby (then later toddler), turning up and asking loads of questions, like:

  • Where are the baby change tables?
    None in the building but you can use this sofa, boardroom table, the floor...

  • Why are all of the events held at the crack of dawn or around dinner time at night?
    To accommodate the ‘work day’ and 9 to 5 hours for people with jobs.

  • If I breastfeed during the workshop, will I be asked to leave?
    Thankfully no, but you will get some gawkers and be the only one with a baby.

  • Can I do this job interview with my toddler?
    Yes, we’ll book a meeting room for you (and you’ll even get the job!)

CREATING PARENT-FRIENDLY BUSINESS SPACES AND EXPERIENCES

After doing some market research, raising awareness and showing up with my kid(s) regardless of the situation, I started producing my own parent-friendly professional development events.

What began as an experiment has evolved into:

  • 🌏 Doing freelance, flexible and remote work alongside my kids

  • 👀 Pitching and presenting while feeding and babywearing

  • ⚠️ Advocating for change tables in business and entrepreneurship spaces

  • 🚼 Producing parent-friendly professional development events and meetups

  • 🔊 Hosting a podcast featuring parents in leadership roles

  • 📢 Advocating for flexible childcare and safe corporate spaces

  • 📮 Becoming an accidental activist along the way

Learn more about working with me, including my previous event, media and speaking experiences.

Amy Lynch hosting a parent-friendly professional development event at Algonquin College in May 2019.

One of my parent-friendly professional development events at Algonquin College in May 2019.