Startup Parent Newsletter

Here are the six steps I use to get writing done with children around—it’s so simple and easy! Step 1: Wake up around 5am or 6am, depending on when the children wake up. Try to wake up before them. Creep down the hallway. Why are the wooden floors so loud? They are rustling. You freeze. Do not wake the children. Step 2: Acquire coffee. Step 3: Try to write through depression and discouragement. Your eyes are tired. You drink water. Wonder what you should write about. Step 4: Read the news. Damnit.

Over the last eight years, I’ve run leadership incubators where I bring brave, curious, and kind leaders together. We meet once a week for a guided conversation around life, business, and leadership. The Wise Women’s Council: Our longstanding group, The Wise Women’s Council is our leadership group specifically for women leaders at the intersection of motherhood and business.

Startup Parent with Sarah K Peck A deeper look at what's really happening in today's world of business, productivity, gender, and parenting. Plus, we're building a community for founders with kids. Over 10,000 subscribers Let me read it first

"We rested, we bonded, we hiked, we laughed, we cried, and we became stronger, more connected women. Beth’s retreat exceeded my expectations—the best word to describe it is 'magical.'” This was a retreat for the soul. Last year I went for the first time. Then I went again this summer. And I’m going again this Fall. It’s saying something when I signed up not just for one, but THREE retreats with the sage mama herself, Beth Berry.

So often the whispers of inner wisdom come in the subtle layers. It's not necessarily loud, it's doesn't have to be about declaring broad-sweeping statements, nor does it have to be more than what you already know. And this is where visibility ties to expanding your leadership capacity. Leadership is not an outside game. It’s not about finding the guru or the sage. It’s not getting something from outside. Yes, we need teachers and leaders and healers and knowledge. But we also need you.

I don’t think I was prepared for how exhausting and lonely parenting can be in the modern world. Despite having active young kids and constantly taking them places, I still find myself longing for time to myself. Time to think, and time to talk to other adult humans about things beyond parenting. But the dishes keep spinning and the laundry keeps crashing and the days all run into each other in one giant blur.

I don’t think I was prepared for how exhausting and lonely parenting can be in the modern world. Despite having active young kids and constantly taking them places, I still find myself longing for time to myself. Time to think, and time to talk to other adult humans about things beyond parenting. But the dishes keep spinning and the laundry keeps crashing and the days all run into each other in one giant blur.

The stress of work can be especially tricky to describe for creative and knowledge workers who love what they do. That doesn't make it less real. “Oh, you’re a writer? So you sit at a computer all day? What exactly do you do?” Goodness, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard this question, and how I’ve also wanted to know just what other creatives do with their time.

It’s not unreasonable to want space and time to breathe life into your identities outside of motherhood and partnership, Beth Berry writes. After 29 years of mothering and a decade of working with women, she’s heard stories. Last week, Beth wrote about the problems of ‘Conscious Parenting,’ in a culture that provides little tangible support to moms. Beth is a the founder of Revolution From Home, an author, coach, and a mother of four daughters.

About eight years ago I was at a conference that was mostly a waste of time until the last day when I found myself at a round table with the Patron Saint of Relationship Wisdom,  Dr. Esther Perel. I couldn’t tell you what someone like Esther was doing at this awful conference, but I’m thrilled she was because now I get to tell you this story.