How do people with toddlers manage full-time jobs in advertising? My kid’s in daycare 9–5, and that’s a really long day for them. By pickup, they’re melting down-- dinner, bedtime, then I’m back online by 8:30 trying to catch up. Even with that, I still feel behind. Is anyone actually making this work?

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I started setting boundaries and turning notifications off to make sure I stick to them. Don’t get me wrong, I still have to work late sometimes after kids bedtimes. But if I need a night off I need a night off and I don’t feel bad about it. I turn notifications off and deal with repercussions in the morning. I’ve realized the pressure to be “on” is self imposed most times and people don’t really care if I get back to them the next day. Especially when you’ve proven yourself as a hard worker who delivers great work. Once you start setting boundaries people follow them.

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This is the most inspiring thing I’ve read in the past hour.

I assure you there are millions of ad families making it work.

likehelpful

“Tell us you have no sense or compassion without telling us you have no sense or compassion” lol…sounds like a typical CCO with a false sense of entitlement.

It’s a slog but they get older

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Single dad here, it’s tough but the 5:30 - 8 is the time I need for my kid. I will be back online after, but that is not negotiable. It will get better as they age.

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Well said. Same. 5-830 in offline.

Toddlers demands so much patience. Super frustrating. I’m lucky I have a partner who stays home to manage our 8 and 3 year old. But every.single.day when I get home they’re spent and we’re barely getting by on my single director level income. So the grass isn’t always greener.

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Have a 3 year old and another on the way soon. Moved to a (less exciting) creative team that has better work/life balance for now. Set boundaries. I've just accepted that at this stage of my life with littles in daycare/at home I'm not trying to climb the corporate ladder. If I tried to do both I'd be burnt out.

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It’ll be hard for a few years, but once they’re in school it gets easier. I feel for you—I had 3 kids under 3 1/2

likeuplifting

We were in survival mode for the first few years.

Set boundaries now with your colleagues, say no to meetings that really don’t need you, and be as accurate as you can with deadlines.

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Yup. My daughter is now 18. Both work in high pressure jobs. It was a journey. You can do it. Best thing you can do is hone your skills on how to identify and prioritize what is truly important, and dispense with the noise - in all corners of your life, including your job.

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You guys are having kids?

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oh honey who is making you get back on every night? to hell with that. your kids are only little once. clients and agencies will be ungrateful rats forever. their shit can wait til the next day.

If you can go remote, it makes such a big difference! Just being able to pop the laundry in during meetings or prep dinner while you’re waiting for a file… all those 10 min tasks add up. I also find outdoor time (usually taking a walk around the block for us) can help regulate the just got home meltdowns

How do women do it all and not complain

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