The Parenting Couch
Join Rachel Chappell and Sarah Levett on The Parenting Couch, where we discuss the big issues facing Mums across Australia. We share our experiences and advice about navigating the ever-changing parenting challenges, and are joined by experts, celebrities and parents too. Listen to feel more connected & supported, while having a laugh about what parenting is really like.
Brought to you by North Shore Mums.
The Parenting Couch
Back to Work: Navigating the 'new normal' after baby, with Lauren Perrett
Today, we’re tackling the tricky topic of returning to work after having kids. It’s one that most mums need to consider, and it’s never an easy decision. Whilst some mums are happy to return to work or have to return for financial reasons, others simply want to spend as much time as they can with their children while they’re little.
There’s no right or wrong, and everyone makes the best decision for their family.
But… what if there was another option?
Today, we’re talking to Lauren Perrett… a Sydney mum who struggled when returning to work when her first baby was seven months old. She knew she wasn’t the only mum struggling with this and wanted to find another way.
So, she created BubbaDesk! She launched in Erina a few years ago… providing hot desks and meeting rooms for parents and on-site childcare for kids. She now has three more centres—in St Leonards Caringbah and Wollongong… with more locations opening soon!
In this episode, Lauren shares
- Her personal struggles with returning to work
- How she turned a ‘lightbulb moment’ into a business.
- Her advice to new mums about their rights
- How they can negotiate flexible return-to-work conditions
- How to build a community of mums for your support
- Tips on how to balance work and motherhood
BubbaDesk: The story so far
BubbaDesk was founded by Lauren and Tom Perrett. Lauren returned to work after just six months of maternity leave and was riddled with post-natal anxiety, plus she found it challenging to find reliable (and affordable!) care for their son, Charles. They juggled working from home with a baby for a few months, but felt guilty that their child wasn’t getting the present, playful parents they wanted to be.
They dreamed of a space where they could work, but also have their baby nearby. They knew that many of their friends faced the same struggle, so decided to turn that dream into a reality. The idea was to build a space where they could be super productive, and have their child close by being looked after by trusted professionals seemed like a no-brainer. And that’s where the idea for BubbaDesk started. Find out more about BubbaDesk.
Essential Details: BubbaDesk
- Address: 92 Chandos Street, St Leonards
- Phone: 0418 999 277
- Opening hours: Mon-Fri: 8.30am-4.30pm
- Website: bubbadesk.com/st-leonards
- Follow: Instagram | Facebook
#theparentingcouch #theparentingcouchpodcast #parenting #northshoremums #parentingexperts #parentinginterviews
