“I wouldn’t have been able to keep my full-time job without BubbaDesk.”
1. What did work look like for you before having a baby? And what did you think it would look like after?
Work before having a baby meant heading into the Manly office every day and doing at least 10-hour days.
We moved to the Central Coast just a few weeks before our child was born—and as first-time parents, everything was new to us. I had an agreement with my workplace that I could work from home once I returned from maternity leave, and would only need to go into the office once a week.
But I quickly realised how challenging even that once-a-week commute would be with a small child.
2. How did you approach returning to work—meticulously planned or make-it-up-as-you-go?
I’m a planner—I get stressed if I can’t see the path ahead clearly. So yes, I tried to plan. But life had other ideas.
We weren’t able to get a place in childcare, so we had to look for alternative options.
3. What were the biggest challenges in balancing your career with a baby? (Be honest—the juggle is real.)
Sleep deprivation was the biggest challenge in the early days. My job requires a lot of thinking, and when your brain is in a constant fog… well, it’s tough.
Also, there’s no working late to finish something—you have to be super efficient with your time at work and at home.
4. How did you land on BubbaDesk as part of your setup?
BubbaDesk was a solution to a real problem: no childcare and no family in Australia. We briefly found two days of family day care, but that fell through quickly.
A friend (who gave birth a few months before me) told me about BubbaDesk, and I checked it out. Honestly, without BubbaDesk, I wouldn’t have been able to keep my full-time job.
5. What was a day at BubbaDesk really like—for you and your baby?
It turned out to be more than just a solution. BubbaDesk became our home for a year—the best place for my son between ages one and two.
Being close to him and seeing him during the day strengthened our bond, reduced his separation anxiety—and mine too (which is very real!).
The educators were amazing. He loved being there, made connections, and learned so much. We left a few months ago, and he still talks about them. I think he even dreams about them.
Work-wise, BubbaDesk met my basic needs. I could take meetings in private rooms when needed. While an open co-working space isn’t ideal for my focus-heavy role, I made it work.
One of the unexpected highlights? The other parents. Morning chats about sleepless nights, teething, and toddler meltdowns helped me reset and tackle the day. The educators also gave us so much emotional support and advice—I can’t thank them enough.
6. Did having childcare on-site change the way you worked? Or the way you parented?
It didn’t change the way I worked, but it had a huge impact on my parenting. My work breaks became time to connect with my son, and that made such a difference in our relationship.
7. The preschool transition—smooth sailing or emotional rollercoaster?
An emotional rollercoaster—of course, I’m a mum! But overall, it was relatively smooth.
Everything my son experienced at BubbaDesk helped prepare him. His preschool teachers were amazed at how quickly he settled in.
Because he was already used to sleeping in a shared space, being comforted by other carers, and eating independently, the transition was much easier. Once we secured a spot at childcare, the BubbaDesk educators even helped prep him with practical skills—like sitting at a table for meals or drinking from a big-kid bottle.
8. Do you think your baby’s time at BubbaDesk made that shift any easier? How so?
Absolutely. (See above!)
9. Looking back, is there anything you’d tell your past self about returning to work?
It’s going to be hard—but you will make it through, and it will get easier over time. Just like everything else in parenting.
10. What would you say to another parent weighing up their childcare options?
BubbaDesk is a fantastic transition option—for both you and your child—before moving into more traditional childcare.
Think carefully about your priorities and your bond with your child. Yes, you lose a bit of freedom because you need to stay on-site, but that might be exactly what you both need for a season.
You can also take turns with your partner, which is a great way to share the load.
This BubbaDesk member is from BubbaDesk Erina.
