Motherhood and PR: The hardest challenge yet

Launching and growing a successful PR agency is no small feat. When I founded Rumour Mill in 2013, I poured everything into it - my energy, passion, creativity, and relentless drive. It was my first baby. But when I decided to have my own child, I faced a challenge far greater than any client brief: balancing motherhood with the demanding role of a business owner and agency leader. 

PR is a world that never stops. It doesn’t clock out at 5pm on a Friday, nor does it slow down for personal milestones. I knew this. What I didn’t anticipate was how difficult it would be to step back and embrace motherhood without the feeling that I was somehow abandoning my firstborn - my business. 

An emotional tug-of-war 

I thought I had prepared. I had a team in place, processes established, and a clear vision for how I would transition into maternity leave. But as many women in leadership can attest, the reality is rarely as seamless as the plan. My maternity leave lasted a mere three weeks before I was pulled back in for a client presentation. In fact, I was sending emails two hours before giving birth. It quickly became clear that no amount of planning could truly prepare me for the emotional and professional tug-of-war I was about to experience. 

The mum guilt is overwhelming. Every moment spent on the business feels like time stolen from my baby, yet stepping away feels like a betrayal of the company I built from the ground up. And while society has come a long way in recognising the challenges working mothers face, there is still a distinct lack of structured support for women in leadership, especially those running their own businesses. Maternity policies are designed for employees, not founders. There’s no handbook on how to juggle investor meetings with sleepless nights, or crisis communications with teething woes. 

Trust in your team  

So, is there a solution? Can PR - a career built on responsiveness, crisis management, and relentless energy - ever truly be compatible with motherhood? I don’t have a definitive answer. What I do know is that it takes an exceptional team, one that is not just talented but also trusted. A team that extends beyond the core of the company to advisors, friends, suppliers and clients. It requires setting boundaries - something I am still learning to do. It demands an acceptance that you cannot be everything to everyone at all times. 

Moving forward, my focus is on redefining success and changing up how we do business. Time for a step change. It’s no longer about being at the centre of everything, but about building a business that thrives even when I’m not in the room. It’s about acknowledging that I don’t have to choose between being a great mother and a great leader - I can be both. 

A strong mother, a strong PR leader 

Motherhood and PR may not be the easiest mix, but I refuse to believe they are incompatible. If anything, becoming a mother has made me a stronger leader. It has taught me resilience, the importance of delegation, and that sometimes, stepping back is just as powerful as stepping in. The challenge is real, but so is the opportunity to pave the way for other women who dare to do both. 

Thank you to those who have stood by my side, lifted me up when I struggled, and reminded me that I am not alone in this journey. It is because of these people - my family, my team, my mentors and the irreplaceable smile on my son’s face - that I have the confidence to embrace this new chapter. Now, it’s about making meaningful changes that benefit not just my clients and employees, but also myself. This next stage is about being a fully present mother and a focused leader, proving that it is possible to have both without compromise. 

Chartered PR Samantha Livingstone is the founder of Rumour Mill PR. She is also the chair of CIPR Northern Ireland. 

Further reading 

Time’s up: Closing PR’s gender leadership gap 
Mind the gap: why are women missing from senior PR roles? 
PR professionals share career lesson learnt