Parent Entrepreneurs and Work-Life Balance

The 9–5 workday is a relic of a bygone era—one that never truly accounted for the complex realities of raising a family. For working parents, balancing school pickups, childcare gaps, after-school activities, and the emotional labor of parenting with rigid office hours is not only exhausting—it’s often impossible. As more parents choose to run their own businesses, embrace freelancing, or push for flexible roles, it's clear that the traditional model of work is failing to meet the needs of modern families. This discussion goes beyond surface-level productivity hacks to explore the root of the problem: outdated work structures that are out of sync with the way families actually live. We'll examine how parents are reclaiming their time through non-traditional work arrangements—such as the five-hour workday, project-based contracts, asynchronous remote work, and entrepreneurship—and how these models are not just possible, but increasingly essential.

But this is not just a personal issue—it’s a systemic one. Governments have a critical role to play. What policies could truly support a shift to a more family-friendly economy? How can public funding help build affordable, accessible childcare systems that unlock the economic potential of parents—especially mothers? And how can legislation catch up with the reality of a workforce that values flexibility, not facetime? We’ll also explore what employers can do differently: from redesigning roles around outcomes rather than hours, to building inclusive workplaces that honor caregiving as a strength rather than a liability.

Join us to challenge assumptions, share real-life solutions, and reimagine a future where parenthood and career success are not at odds, but mutually reinforcing.