There are no federal parental leave protections for entrepreneurs. Here’s how to manage

When I was pregnant with my second kid, Chetan, I also ran a successful startup called FoodtoEat. I didn’t want to lose the momentum of success on FoodtoEat, especially after my first startup had failed to raise the funding it needed to survive, so I told myself I just had to keep going and keep up the hustle to make it to the next level. I had no plans to take an extended parental leave. Plus, reading about founders who were closing funding rounds while in labor didn’t help my anxiety and penchant for unhealthy competition, so I upped the ante on what I could handle.

A week after I had Chetan, I was setting up calls, and by the third week, I was back at work. I even agreed to speak at a panel in the first month of becoming a mother to a toddler and a newborn (which is not for the faint of heart). I had convinced myself I could do it all, lean-in style.

My company continued to grow, so I took it as a sign that I was tough and hardworking. On top of that, friends and family members were praising my work ethic and career dedication.

I rode that high until I crashed.

It took me years (my children are now 6 and 8 years old) to get over the havoc that period created on my body and my mental state (note: I no longer run FoodtoEat). I was busy listening to everyone around me and leaning on hustle culture to justify the insane stress I was putting on myself postpartum, instead of slowing down and taking the parental leave time I needed to heal.

The U.S. is the only wealthy nation in the world without a national paid parental leave program, leaving parents in the workforce reliant on a patchwork of federal, state, and local policies to get paid anything at all or sometimes even just to keep their job safe.

For entrepreneurs or self-employed mothers, there is virtually no safety net, although 14 million women-owned small businesses account for nearly 40% of all companies and generate $2.7 trillion in the U.S. (and these numbers are steadily growing).

As an entrepreneur, I felt I had no choice but to get back to work as soon as possible, especially with the lack of government backup. Forecasting and planning are the biggest tools that any entrepreneur can have, so with a solid amount of preplanning, you can take a parental leave and avoid burning out like I did.

Budget first: Any business owner knows that the basic tenet to successfully running a proper company is knowing how much money you need to operate.

Hire folks you trust: Build a team that you can be proud of, whether that’s an in-house staff or a stable of contractors and freelancers you can parse out different parts of your business to.

Automate and outsource tasks: Rely on technology that will help you build out processes like sending out invoices or marketing content regularly. Consider outsourcing tasks that don’t require your direct involvement. From administrative work to marketing and accounting, hiring freelancers or agencies can help keep your business running smoothly while you focus on recovery. This can free up valuable time and reduce stress during the postpartum period.

Document processes and systems: Before taking time off, document key processes and systems within your business. This can help ensure continuity and allow your team to follow established guidelines, reducing the need for your constant input.

Check in, sometimes: Schedule biweekly or monthly check-ins with your team. Use these calls to address major issues and provide guidance, but resist the urge to micromanage daily operations. Trust your team to handle day-to-day decisions.

Leverage remote work: The pandemic helped normalize remote work, making it easier for entrepreneurs to manage their businesses from anywhere. Take advantage of this flexibility by setting up virtual meetings and utilizing digital tools to stay connected with your team. Remote work allows you to remain involved without being physically present, giving you more freedom to balance business and family life during postpartum recovery.

Set boundaries: Establish clear boundaries with your clients and team about when and how they can contact you. Setting expectations about your availability helps reduce stress and gives you more control over your schedule. This also allows you to focus on personal healing without feeling overwhelmed by constant work demands.

Plan a gradual return: Create a phased return-to-work plan over several weeks or months. Start with part-time hours and gradually increase as you feel ready. Be flexible and adjust your plan based on your recovery and family needs.

Set realistic expectations: You don’t have to “do it all” right away. Take time to set achievable goals during your postpartum period—focus on the critical aspects of your business that require your input and be comfortable with delegating or postponing nonurgent tasks.

Prioritize rest and seek postpartum support: Rest is critical to postpartum recovery and should be a top priority, even if it means adjusting your work schedule or delegating tasks. Your health is the foundation of your ability to lead at home and in business. To further support your well-being, use postpartum care services like lactation consultants, doulas, or mental health professionals. It’s okay to seek help in managing the toll that childbirth can take on your body and mind.

If I could offer just one piece of advice, it would be this: Don’t measure your journey against anyone else’s. Comparing your postpartum experience to other entrepreneurs who seem to have “done it all” while navigating motherhood is a huge trap that will inevitably lead to failure. Once you become a parent, the mark of success isn’t just how well your business is doing, it’s also how well you are doing physically and emotionally. Your health is the foundation of your ability to lead at home and run your business.