Robyn Stewart, Executive Director of BreakOut West, is sharing some Tuesday Tips as a part of our Keychange week. Learn how to navigate the music industry as a parent.
BreakOut West 2020 hosted a session on Parenting in the music industry. Music moms and dads with kids of all ages shared their expert tips and tricks on balancing family and a career in music. These are top tips that came from the experts on this session:
1 – COMMUNICATE
Don’t be afraid to talk about your needs with respect to your children with your industry team, potential buyers, and other colleagues.
2 – PLANNING
Create your career plans with your family in mind and don’t be afraid to say no to an opportunity if it does not work for your role as a parent. This should be respected and those who do not, are not worth working with. It’s up to you and your family to define what family is to you and no one else can decide what you can and cannot take on as a parent.
3 – TRAVELING
Travelling or working long hours can lead to guilt and/or loneliness. It’s okay to feel these things, but also know that your children will learn so much from you as a role model working hard in a career you are passionate about. These are teaching moments.
4 – FUNDING
For festivals or venues, consider providing childcare options for artists or industry parents to attend events, or travel support for caregivers if travel is expected. For Canadian artists there is access to funding for travel support to travel with children under the age of 2 through FACTOR and Musicaction.
5 – CELEBRATE
Embrace the superpower that being a parent brings to your own creativity and understanding of balance.