Bump to Business Owner
E107: Maternal gatekeeping and creating gender equity at home with Rachel Childs
Published: 21 May 2026 at 06:28 Europe/London
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Episode notes
In our final episode in our collaborative mini series with Lucy Legal, Caroline chats to Rachel Childs. Rachel is a relationship coach and founder of Parents That Work, and shares insights on maintaining connection, equality, and emotional support in relationships after parenthood. This episode explores the impact of COVID, gender norms, and practical strategies for healthier partnerships.
This episode is brought to you in collaboration with Lucy Legal and her Get Legit Hub. Don't trust ChatGPT for legal advice! Go to www.lucylegal.co.uk/the-hub for real legal guidance, templates and support.
To hear the rest of collaboration with Lucy Legal listen to
Episode 102 - Mum guilt, leveraging audiences and making £23k in 48hours with Lucy Legal
Episode 103 - My experience of motherhood, business and what I would have done differently, Lucy Legal interviews Caroline
Episode 104 - Preparing your business (and life!) for Maternity Leave with Lucy Legal
Episode 105 - Twins, fintech and NICU recovery with Sophia Jarvis
Episode 106 - How to use AI for female founders and mums with Lucy Legal
To hear Caroline's original conversation with Lucy, please listen to Episode 17 - "Every single person thought I was crazy"
Resources:
Topics:
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Impact of COVID on family life
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Gender norms and maternal gatekeeping
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Shared parenting and mental load
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Conversations about finances and careers
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Supporting emotional well-being in relationships
Chapters:
- 01:00 Navigating the Landscape of Parenting Support
- 05:10 Career Transitions and the Impact of Parenthood
- 07:39 The Role of Gender Equity in Parenting
- 09:46 The Challenges of Managing Multiple Children
- 14:54 Understanding Relationship Dynamics in Parenthood
- 17:29 The Impact of COVID-19 on Parenting
- 20:14 The Future of Work and Parenting Dynamics
- 24:22 The Pressure to Parent Equally
- 28:04 The Reality of Parenting Dynamics
- 32:09 Transforming Antenatal Conversations
- 35:04 Navigating Financial Decisions in Parenthood
- 39:02 Emotional Support and Communication in Relationships
- 41:58 Maternal Gatekeeping and Its Impact
- 47:27 The Path to Parental Equity
- 51:42 Building a Supportive Community for Parents
Links:
Website: https://www.bumptobusinessowner.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bumptobusinessowner/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carolinepooley/
About Rachel Childs
Rachel Childs is a relationship coach, author, podcast host and founder of Parents That Work, helping couples navigate the transition into parenthood without losing their connection, ambition, or sense of teamwork.
After a career in corporate talent development, Rachel moved into coaching and relationship work, combining professional expertise with her own lived experience of unequal parenting and the realities many couples face after having children. She is certified in Hogan Assessments, a Bringing Baby Home Educator, and a Transformational Coach.
Through Parents That Work, Rachel supports couples in building stronger parenting partnerships rooted in equality, communication, and emotional connection. Helping families move away from resentment, burnout, and the "default parent" dynamic so many experience in the early years.
Rachel is also the creator of The Team Blueprint, author of Beyond Baby Talk, and host of the podcast Equalish, where she explores modern relationships, invisible labour, shared parenting, careers, and why equality in family life can feel far harder in practice than in theory.
Rachel Child's Links:
Website: www.parentsthatwork.co.uk
Podcast: https://podfollow.com/1840151862
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelchilds-couplescoach/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/parents_that_work/
Music by AudioCoffee: https://www.audiocoffee.net/
