We sat down with Design Director Myree Tydings to explore the intersection of motherhood and a creative career, discussing the importance of a supportive work environment and how the creative industry must evolve its perspective of working parents.

Hi Myree! Reflecting on your parental leave, how supported did you feel in taking the leave?

Very supported! I had been at D&P for quite a long time, so was entitled to the full parental leave package. I had a good experience, I was never made to feel uncomfortable about it. But I am fully aware that this may not be the case for everyone in the industry, I’m sure agencies (and clients) vary wildly in how this is handled.

How has motherhood influenced your creative process or career choices?

My career choice remains unchanged, but I feel I am definitely 'sharper' now since having my son, Mars. In motherhood, there is a constant level of hyper vigilance and increased organisational skills that are fundamentally needed to raise a child, and this, for me, has (most of the time!) transferred over to the workplace.

Now, ideas flow quicker, I'm more efficient and more decisive. More than anything though, I will never take for granted having the space and time at work to simply be myself and to be creative. This new appreciation gives me such a strong passion and enthusiasm for what I do when I leave the school gates and arrive at work.

What’s been the biggest challenge in balancing creativity and caregiving?

Time and energy. I need to be strict with my office hours, and luckily Dalziel and Pow are very good at ensuring overtime is an exception and not the norm (regardless of parenthood or not). I just need to be creative when I have a tight deadline and occasionally I'll have to do my overtime after child bedtime for example.

Energy is also a big factor, as you're essentially holding down two jobs (career and motherhood), and the latter sometimes requires being up at night. So I have had to learn how to be high functioning on very little sleep.

Have you felt pressure to ‘do it all,’ and how do you navigate that?

100% yes. I have to have regular chats with myself to put things into perspective and keep my priorities straight. Sometimes the house will be a tip, but I have to go with it until it can be sorted. Sometimes I'm not as well put together at work as I'd like, but I have to accept it. Sometimes I’m just plain exhausted, but if I change my mindset and remember why I’m doing it, I can manage. It won't always be like this.

What changes would you like to see in the creative industry to better support mothers?

There needs to be a shift in attitude towards parents, especially mothers. For many, there is still an outdated stigma attached. Unspoken assumptions that you will be flakey, distracted and/or somewhat unproductive - not the asset you used to be. I feel like this is so far from the truth, and most mothers I know are top performers. They inspire me every day! We all have our ‘struggle days’, but who doesn’t?

What were your biggest worries about returning to work, and did those fears end up being justified?

My biggest fear was not being able to cope. Babies and toddlers get sick A LOT. So it required frequent absences at short notice, and also the knock on effect is you then fall ill with whatever virus they had. Then there’s the general tiredness from lack of sleep, so I was always concerned that someone else without children would be willing and able to do my job better than me and put in way longer hours than I possibly could at that time.

I am very thankful that whilst I struggled with these anxieties internally, worrying what everyone must think, I was never openly pulled up on it or questioned. People were much more understanding than I could have ever hoped for. I also feel like the work flexibility that came after COVID was such a huge help and support for working parents.

Did becoming a parent or carer change the way you feel about your work, your career ambitions, or the role work plays in your life?

I will never take for granted having the space and time at work to simply be myself and to be creative. This new appreciation gives me such a strong passion and enthusiasm for what I do when I leave the school gates and arrive at work. I feel more motivated than ever to ‘do me’, create my own successes, and maintain my own creativity and identity, outside of caring for another person.

Have there been any unexpected positives about returning to creative work after parental leave?

Probably the other mums here at work. We all look out for each other and with them, I can always share the latest shenanigans - good or bad. We are sounding boards for each other and sometimes we just have a good laugh at the crazy situations we find ourselves in. We have each other’s backs and it’s a lovely community.

What has been the most challenging aspect of balancing creative work with parenting/caring responsibilities?

Being creative whilst being the most horrifically tired you’ve ever been. There’s a reason sleep deprivation is a form of human torture! I feel like once you’ve mastered that though (which you kinda do, you adapt), it’s a superpower!