Working in the events industry is a wild ride at the best of times. Long hours, unpredictable schedules, last-minute changes, and sometimes working in a completely different time zone for days on end. Throw childcare into the mix, and coordinating a global conference for VIPs seems like a cinch compared to being available to do the school run two days in a row.
And it’s not just one thing; it’s a whole host of logistical nightmares, emotional rollercoasters, last-minute childcare scrambles, and the constant juggle of being present at work and home, especially around the school holidays.
So, how do we navigate this ridiculous juggling act without completely losing our minds?
Let’s take a look.
The guilt factor
For many working parents in the events industry, the biggest challenge isn’t the 4 am call times or the back-to-back show days—it’s managing the inevitable guilt trip your child gives you before you leave. You know the one: the tearful, wide eyes, the wobbly bottom lip, the slightly too-long, too-hard hug. It hits harder than a boxing glove full of bricks.
Every. Single. Time.
Why do they do this to you? Wwwwhhhhyyyy???!!!
One minute you’re leading a production team, flawlessly executing a high-profile event, and feeling on top of the world. Then you check your phone and you’re reminded that you missed another parent’s evening; you weren’t there to watch them score their first goal in football practice; bedtime stories have gone west for another week.
And you feel like dirt.
It doesn’t matter how many times you tell yourself that you’re doing this job to provide for them—it still stings.
But here’s something to remember: your child’s “normal” is whatever you make it. If you’re raising them with love, support, and the occasional bribery of sweets for good behaviour, they will adapt. It’s not about being physically present 24/7; it’s about making the time you do have together count.
The logistical nightmare
For parents in events, the NASA-spreadsheet-level of planning required to cover childcare, school pickups, after-school clubs, and last-minute schedule changes makes quantum physics look like the easiest thing in the world. Freelancers, in particular, don’t have the luxury of fixed hours, and the prospect of putting together an Ikea wardrobe with your feet whilst also blindfolded and steaming drunk in a pit full of rattlesnakes is often more inviting than trying to arrange childcare.
But if there’s one thing we event professionals are good at, it’s problem-solving. Whether it’s a reliable team of childminders, tag-teaming with your partner, or calling in favours from friends and grandparents, somehow, we always, always, always find a way to make it work.
The unexpected perks
It’s easy to focus on what you’re missing out on when you’re away on a job, but what about the positives? Because, believe it or not, there are some.
- Your child grows up watching you work hard and following your passion. That’s inspiring.
- They learn independence. Kids of event pros tend to be self-sufficient and adaptable.
- They get cool insights into the industry. From an early age, they understand what goes into a big event and can spot a control desk from half a mile away.
- They develop a strong work ethic. When they see first-hand how effort translates into rewards (like holidays, fun days out, and a fully-stocked fridge), it makes an impact.
Playing the long game
Life’s tough right now. The economy is in the toilet, and you have to do what you have to do to keep a roof over your family’s heads, even if that means being away fairly frequently. There’s no perfect formula for balancing event life and parenting. Some days, it’ll feel impossible. On other days, you’ll realise that your child is growing into a resilient, independent, and well-rounded human being. And on those particularly tough mornings, just remember this: once you walk out that door, they’re probably off playing happily within five minutes. (No, really).
So, to all the event parents out there doing their best but feeling like it’s never enough—keep going. The long hours, the missed school plays, the last-minute dashes to find emergency childcare? It all adds up to raising brilliant, capable little people. And if all else fails, remember: FaceTime, snacks, the promise of doing something fun together when you get home, and a heartfelt “I’ll see you soon” can work wonders.
Got your own event-parenting hacks? Share them in the comments—we’re all in this together!
