How are people having kids working in advertising? I feel more and more it’s not an option for me if I stay in this industry.

I won’t lie, the pandemic and WFH made it possible for me. Not that it could have been planned for, but I worked for the same agency throughout the pandemic, moved to FT remote, had 2 kids, and now I’m able to manage with daycare and school, while also taking meetings, and signing on after bedtime. I’m older/graduated into the recession, so I never expect my job or leadership to be supportive, and just count my blessings. My partner works even longer hours than me, so it truly wouldn’t have been possible had we not had a WFH mandate. I’m an SPM so obviously I’m not raking it in, I’m just wildly overclocked and making it work. This was the only way, and it isn’t fair.
I guess the non-pandemic answer is marry rich and pay for a lot of help. That’s what many many people do 🤗

I have a daughter who just started kindergarten and the only way it works is because I work from home full time. Even then, I am taking meetings during drop off/pick up. Thankfully I have a supportive team + manager that gives me the flexibility I need. If it wasn’t for this, I don’t think I would have been able to manage.

I honestly don’t know. It’s an intense lifestyle.

I have a daughter and in the industry.
I outsource some things, co-parent that’s very active and shared responsibilities, parents live close by and helps. I try to communicate and put on the calendar on the school activities. Clients also have kids and that helps.

I have worked in advertising for 10 years and now have 3 children (all under 6!) It's possible, but finding an agency with flexibility is crucial. Work from home is non-negotiable for me, otherwise i'd only see my kids like two hours a day. I work some nights after they go to sleep, but in general, my 9-5 has become the chilliest part of my day. 🤣

One of the reasons I don’t consider kids, unless your partner makes bank and you have strong support system and good health, otherwise I have no idea how people can pull it off, especially in hcol

Supportive co-parent with less crazy hours, full time daycare or after school nanny, and living near our kid’s grandparents has been my way. But - don’t let advertising take your desire to have kids away if that’s what you want! It’s an amazing experience for those who choose it and truly, where there is a will there is a way. This industry is filled with parents making it work so if we can, you can too (which is something I also remind myself on the tough days)

Often times one partner has a flexible job and can do the school logistics. I’m in advertising, wfh full time, school is a 10 minute walk away. Drop kid off then home by 9am. That’s the only way we’ve figured it out for both parents to work and not hate our lives. On days I’ve gone into the office, have meetings at 8am AND still have to do dropoff are days when I consider quitting.

First and foremost, my spouse has worked at home throughout, and we decided when we became parents that my job would take priority over his if necessary (I make the majority of our household income). None of this would be possible without his incredible flexibility.

Along with that, when I had my first baby in 2014, I was able to negotiate a part time return for a year which was a life changer. I had my second in 2018 and didn’t get the same deal, but I had a very supportive boss, and a village I’d built with my first baby.

Flexibility - yours, as well as your agency, team and partner. This has come easier for me after the pandemic, and I don’t actually know how we coped before wfh. Not just from a workload standpoint, but being present for my kid.

Also, boundaries. A lot of the time, it’s as simple as setting expectations up front with your team (or new job if you’re switching), just remember that flexibility goes both ways.

It’s not always easy but it’s doable and well worth it. I derive much more joy from my children than my job. Not that I don’t like my job, but children unlocked a whole other level of happiness for me. So if children is what you want, make it a priority. You will become more efficient in your job too. I have a nanny which greatly helps. They are more expensive but if you can accept that as a temporary life expense it’s worth it. Especially if you set it up where they can help with other household chores like the kid’s laundry, dishes, grabbing groceries, etc. It also helps to be on a team with other people who have children. There’s more of a mutual respect for time and mentality of covering for each other when need be for childcare needs.

Husband has always been full-time remote. We married in our thirties, had kids mid to late thirties, so we were both pretty far along in our careers by that time. This helped with setting boundaries about when I had to leave the office for daycare or school pickup, bc everyone knew I was as good as my word. I also became way more efficient at my job!

That said, the pandemic and WFH made me realize how much of my kids’ lives I was still missing, and now I do whatever I can to just be physically present in the home when they are home.

Au pairs. Massive game-changer (we’re still in touch w/most of them)

We are not saving lives. All of the stress in advertising is manufactured. While advertising is cool, there is no joy in my life greater than being a parent. Remember, there are doctors out there who are parents too.

I have two kids now and I actually feel that being a parent has made me more effective/efficient and better at my job because there are tiny humans waiting for me at the end of the day and I only have so much time and energy in a day to get things done. Of course you have to find an agency and a client that are flexible and welcoming to parents though. They are out there!

I also think the market you are in can make a huge impact. I lived in SF for awhile and hardly worked with any parents. Chicago on the other hand, just about every senior person I work with has a family.