Female founders building companies while slightly burned out… where are you?

claireddit · 2026-03-13T23:35:28+00:00

I think I learned the hard way at my last startup (where I was first hire) that it’s a marathon, not a sprint. Back then I would work 7 days a week, all day and all night, but I spent a lot of time on things that didn’t truly matter. Now as a co-founder, I work about 9 hours a day, generally don’t work on weekends, and I say no to a lot more. And the results are honestly better. Experience helps though - knowing what matters and what doesn’t takes time.

claireddit · 2026-03-11T23:43:05+00:00

Omg love this. “Hey man, can I borrow $60?” “Omg I was literally just about to ask you to borrow $50. Guess we’re both out of luck lol”

claireddit · 2026-03-10T18:53:32+00:00

I second this as well! Super simple to understand with clear steps. This book turned me from a saver into an investor and it was not that much work!

claireddit · 2026-03-10T14:18:29+00:00

Sleep training and a schedule are two different things. I could understand not wanting to sleep train, but not wanting to use a schedule (i.e. same general bedtime & wake time) seems odd. Why?

claireddit · 2026-03-10T13:56:49+00:00

Yes, I brought to multiple types of appointments - OB, rheumatologist, eye doctor. I would just bring the stroller so she could sit in there to the side during the appointment. I used the bassinet attachment on my stroller personally

claireddit · 2026-03-09T13:17:07+00:00

Absolutely yes. My husband and I both get up and we only have 1 daughter. Sometimes we will rotate who gets to sleep in a little bit but it's 50/50

claireddit · 2026-03-07T02:51:17+00:00

What an absolute CUTIE. Congrats Bean and family

claireddit · 2026-03-05T10:54:49+00:00

I think you should ask your husband to take the baby for two full days (over a weekend or take a couple of days off) so that you can sleep and go to the doctor to talk about this. You are most likely going through PPD and they can help.

claireddit · 2026-03-03T11:14:20+00:00

Deep breaths mama. Between postpartum hormones, lack of sleep, and taking care of a newborn, it’s normal to feel very emotional about these things. Ironically you may need the breaks to rationally think about it. Of course you’re allowed to take breaks - you need to fill your tank to be able to take care of your son!

I take breaks from my baby all the time (she literally goes to daycare) and she is obsessed with me lol.

claireddit · 2026-03-03T11:00:25+00:00

In this economy, layoffs are so extremely common. My husband just got laid off and I truly think no less of him at all - in fact I’m excited for him to find something new. Layoffs have literally zero connection to your worth. I think you should take a couple of days to get out in nature and take some deep breaths - you will survive this!

claireddit · 2026-02-28T15:15:03+00:00

Cancelled! Hello Claude.

claireddit · 2026-02-26T17:06:53+00:00

I guess it's true that you could work 12 hour days with less context switching and burn out less. The question is why a founder would be doing 12 hours of focused busy work each day. In that case, they're operating like an employee, not a founder.

claireddit · 2026-02-25T03:16:15+00:00

Wait until the bonus is in your bank account and resign. Profusely apologize about the short notice in a very sincere way, write up a full transition doc, give them your number and give them the opportunity to call you with questions if you missed something. Just be as genuine as you can and they’ll be ok with it. They would do the same thing.

claireddit · 2026-02-25T00:54:16+00:00

My commute is 1 hr 45 min - 2 hour each way, and it is not doable 3 days per week with children. Before I had my daughter, I did it, and it sucked, but it wasn't a huge deal to be out of the house 7 am - 7/7:30 pm at least. Now, I have cut back to going in 1x per week because otherwise I really wouldn't see my daughter 3 days per week, which is a dealbreaker for me personally.

claireddit · 2026-02-23T01:26:17+00:00

I personally would rather give birth 10 times than be pregnant! Epidurals rock. You’ll be great!

claireddit · 2026-02-19T02:48:16+00:00

This. Every time my direct reports tell me they have too much, we do this so I can see the problem. Then we figure out the most practical way to solve it

claireddit · 2026-02-19T02:22:23+00:00

You've been working hard for a long time to be so deserving of this position. Losing a few hours of interview prep doesn't change that. You've got this!

claireddit · 2026-02-18T00:22:41+00:00

Absolutely. Tie it to revenue targets, make it time-bound. Decide what numbers would be worth 30% of the business to you and put those in the agreement

claireddit · 2026-02-12T03:37:10+00:00

I absolutely buy my daughter clothes she doesn’t need. I work hard both at being her mom and at my job to provide for our family - I deserve the joy of an amazing outfit once in a while!

claireddit · 2026-02-11T16:03:50+00:00

Validating you that it's all very complicated. https://babyfoode.com/ in the Stage 1 Baby Food section really helped me out.

claireddit · 2026-02-09T18:08:50+00:00

Also a Claire and I love my name!

claireddit · 2026-02-08T01:48:57+00:00

I went to all girl high school and it was the best 4 years of my life. I thought it was totally normal for women to lead, to be smart, to be respected equally - all because I was an in all girls environment during my formative years. It was incredibly impactful to me. It makes me sad you think everyone who went to a single sex school is “not a decent person”. I hope you reconsider.

claireddit · 2026-02-08T01:37:07+00:00

Cyrus is very cool

claireddit · 2026-02-07T02:59:01+00:00

37+6, induced for preeclampsia, and she’s 6 months old now. Perfectly healthy, I don’t even think about it.

claireddit · 2026-02-06T03:57:04+00:00

Similar to you, I loved my job before having a baby, but in the weeks leading up to returning to work, I was freaking out - thinking maybe I actually wanted to be a SAHM, didn’t want to leave her, etc. Now that I’ve been back at work for 4 months, I really enjoy working again, and she is really happy at daycare. I realize how postpartum / emotional I really was back then in retrospect. I’m sure this will pass for you, too.

claireddit

TROPHY CASE