When my first daughter, Ella was born - it only took about 6weeks before I was itching to get back to work. I was freelancing at the time, so not like I had an office or colleagues to run back to, but I just needed to work. Something to take my mind off of the sleepless nights, shitty diapers and “failure-to-thrive” diagnosis my daughter had received at the time. I needed to regain my self-worth and see a fucking paycheck.
The universe heard my plea when a new branding assignment from a woman who was highly regarded at my old agency, dropped on my plate. She was starting her new PR firm and needed a logo, site, business cards - the whole kit. It might’ve as well been the Grand Prix of assignments. FINALLY something to get me back on my feet and back in the game. It was so wonderful. And because she was a mother to 2 older kids, she remembered living in the throws with a newborn. Having to find childcare. Keeping the phone on mute during conference calls so clients wouldn’t hear the baby screaming. Doubling down on the dark clothing in case there was a little boob leak. The whole act of looking like you had your shit together, when really it was full-on identity breakdown behind the scenes.
I didn’t have an ‘office’, per say. Just a 29” Mac in the corner of a living room on an oversized side table. Completely useless and right in the middle of it all. No door to shut everyone out. Headphones? Bitch, please. Thankfully, a hot tip from a female lawyer with twins, lead me to the most hidden and precious remote spot for working moms with newborns. A beautiful, low-key, free-bottled water and nibbles, alcove size room with soft music that lulled little ones to sleep - the Nordstrom’s mother room at Merrick Park. You could pick up a coffee, circle past some Prada’s and have the babe snoozing by the time you hit the second floor, and cracked open the laptop.
When I was back in the work flow groove, I must’ve told at least 8 more new mamas about that spot. And the Neiman Marcus mother’s room, which was about twice the size, but no free nibbles. Those were my first ‘coworking’ spaces. What I would’ve paid to be a member of a professional community that had childcare. The wallet hath no end! So to see these new flexible work spaces for parents, arise with real thought and intention behind their design….it’s so exciting. And hopeful.
And while I’ll always be grateful to Neiman’s and Nordstrom for the space they provided, I hope my daughter has more inspiring options, should she become a parent. They might not have Prada’s, but hey.
https://goop.com/work/parenthood/best-coworking-spaces-for-parents/