Genevieve Day on redefining pride, purpose, and perspective.

Tell us about your family.

I’m a business owner, a wife, and mum to two kids, Henry, who’s just turned two, and Audrey, who’s three months old. Running talent agency Day Management alongside two under two has definitely not been for the faint-hearted, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

What was your biggest adjustment when becoming a mum?

Oh wow, everything changed! How could it not? The biggest shift for me was accepting that my time was no longer my own. Before kids, I could decide exactly how I wanted my week and my life to look. I could be selfish with my career ambitions, my time, my decisions.

Back then, I could do five Pilates classes a week, work until 8pm at the office, or go out for mid-week drinks with my husband on a whim.

We can’t do any of that now. There are naps to consider, toddler meal prep, and endless cleaning and bottle sterilising. Honestly, no one talks about the sheer increase in housework enough!

But with that shift came acceptance, of my time, and of who I am now. Things like brand events and mid-week dinners phased out, replaced by bedtime cuddles and reading The Green Sheep for the thousandth time. It took time to accept the slower season, but once I stopped fighting it, I found real happiness in my “new me” and “new life”.

How do you manage the juggle when it comes to trying to do it all?

Honestly, I just take each week as it comes. Rather than holding myself to an impossible standard, I check in at the end of the week, ask myself things like, did I lean too far into work? did I get to the gym? was I present as a mum? If it feels off-balance, I try to correct it for the following week. That mindset feels far more liberating than constantly punishing myself for dropping balls.

Right now, I’m deep in the newborn trenches – Audrey is only 3 months old – so I’m cutting myself a lot more slack this time around. What’s helping is a mix of grace and scheduling.

If I know my husband or mum will take Audrey from 12pm onwards, I can be productive and relaxed during the rest of the day.

Being self-employed also helps, so I can set my own hours. But ultimately, no one is doing it all. It’s impossible. Just ask the women who shared their stories in my book, “The Juggle”!

What is the best thing about being a mum?

Oh my goodness, how do I narrow that down? For me, it’s a feeling. That pure, unconditional love. The joy of watching your kids grow, or even just be. Henry’s laugh when I flip him upside down is my favourite sound in the world. I’ve achieved big career milestones, even made Forbes 30 Under 30, but nothing compares to the pride of watching my little boy count to ten.

Now, with Audrey, I get to experience it all again. She’s just started smiling, and those tiny, simple moments are pure magic.

What’s been your biggest challenge as a mum?

For me, it was the inability to breastfeed. I was completely unprepared for the fact that it’s not a guarantee. I had the creams, the pumps, the bras – literally everything – but my body just couldn’t produce milk. Whether it was blood loss from birth or my PCOS, we’ll never know.

I tried everything including medication and pumping six times a day for a mere 10ml. It was heartbreaking, I felt like a failure and so isolated from other mothers. Even signing the hospital consent form for formula feeding felt heavy with shame.

When I finally stopped pumping at six weeks, it was a turning point for my mental health. The guilt faded around the six-month mark, and now I try to speak openly about my experience. I wish I’d heard more stories like mine at the time.

What surprised you the most when becoming a mum?

How much you can achieve on no sleep! Before kids, I thought I understood what it felt like to be tired, I didn’t. Henry didn’t sleep through until 12 months, and I was still turning up to client meetings and even live TV segments on three hours rest. You just carry on. Parenthood gives you superhuman stamina. And for the record, whoever said the second child sleeps better? Lies! At least mine are consistent, I suppose.

What do you wish you knew before becoming a mum?

There’s so much I didn’t know but I’m not sure I could’ve fully understood the advice even if someone had told me. Some lessons you just have to live through.

We made the funniest rookie mistakes. Henry was crying constantly one night, and it turned out he was just cold. Once we got the swaddle right, everything changed. Those things you only learn by doing.

One piece of advice I loved was discovering the free maternal health hotline. It’s open 24 hours, kind midwives, and zero judgement. I called them a lot in the early weeks.

Mostly, I wish I’d known that babies cry, and that’s okay. It doesn’t mean you’re failing. Sometimes you just need 30 seconds to make a bottle or breathe.

If you could go back in time, what would you tell yourself or others?

Relax. Truly, chill out. I wish I’d leant into the baby bubble more the first time around. Instead, I tried to be productive with a newborn, like checking emails, even popping into the office three weeks postpartum!

This time, I’ve savoured it. I’ve loved the contact naps, the late-night feeds, the quiet moments when it feels like it’s just me and Audrey awake in the world.

Do you have any tips or tricks to manage the day-to-day juggle?

Schedule everything. My husband and I share a calendar and run our household like a business. Everything goes in, from bin night to daycare drop-off to gym classes, so nothing falls through the cracks. Clarity really is key.

And Woolworths Direct to Boot is a lifesaver. Grocery shopping from the couch once the kids are asleep? Game-changer.

How do you manage your time to fit in career, being a mum, relationship and time for you?

I don’t do it perfectly, no one does. But having set work hours helps me be fully present in both roles. My team knows when I’m offline with family, which means less stress for everyone.

My husband also works in the business, so we share goals and understand when the other needs extra time. As for “me time”? That’s rare right now, but I have my non-negotiables, like our monthly girls’ dinner and a date night every 6–8 weeks (does that sound grim? Haha).

Honestly, as long as each week feels balanced, happy, and includes a few moments that fill my cup, I’m good.

Who is in your village and you couldn’t live without?

My husband – he’s an equal partner in every sense. And my mum – she’s my rock and knows everything. From gastro tips to cradle cap cures, she’s my first call for it all.

What’s in your bag you can’t leave home without:

I have multiple bags in constant circulation and they’re all full.
Today’s bag holds my:

1. • MECCA To Save Face Sunscreen SPF 50+
   • Dermal Therapy lip balm
   • Pared Eyewear Petite Amour sunglasses
   • My phone (obviously!)
   • Baby wipes

Your favourite holiday spot?

Mt Martha. My parents have a house there, and it’s only a 50-minute drive from Melbourne, but it feels like you’ve completely escaped city life.

Why do you love it?

It’s stunning. Beautiful beaches with those iconic colourful boxes, great bush walks, and close to Red Hill wineries, but without the crowds of Sorrento or Portsea.

What location is on top of your wish list to travel to next?

Japan! I’ve never been and can’t wait to visit… although I am slightly dreading the flight with two little ones.

What is your favourite brand?

I’m loving GANNI right now, the prints and colours are just so fun.

The trend you’re loving right now:

The preppy look – rugby jumpers, frilly socks with loafers, oversized shirts tucked into knit vests. It’s effortless and practical for work or the park. (Venroy also has my heart!)

The trend you can’t get on board with:

Jorts. I’ve tried, but at 5’3”, it’s just not happening.

Your latest brand discovery:

Not new, but I’m loving AERE via The Iconic, such beautiful, wearable linen basics.

Where do you do most of your fashion shopping?

Online. I’m not brave enough to shop in-store with two kids yet, plus, late-night feeds are perfect for scrolling and shopping.

What does a healthy lifestyle mean to you?

What does ‘balance’ mean to you?

Eating broccoli and Cadbury Marvellous Creations in the same evening. That’s real balance.