PR already feels like a full-contact sport with unpredictable hours, nonstop context-switching, and the occasional 11 p.m. “quick edit.” Now imagine doing all of that while also caring for someone at home — a child, a parent, or a loved one who depends on you. That’s the reality for many in our industry, and it can push stress levels through the roof.
At BAM, we talk a lot about showing up as humans first, and that includes recognizing that the people crafting headlines and managing launches are often managing a lot more behind the scenes. Here’s what’s helped some of us, and our peers, stay balanced when both our inboxes and our loved ones need you at the same time.
Working in PR (or startups), you know “yes” tends to be our default setting. But caregiving demands something different. You can’t sprint through both worlds indefinitely.
Setting clear boundaries isn’t about being unavailable, but about being intentional. Block time on your calendar for caregiving responsibilities just like you would for a client call. One teammate, for example, blocks 8–9 a.m. every day to manage morning caregiving duties. Clients know not to expect responses during that hour, and mornings are smoother for everyone. Be honest about your bandwidth. Say “I can get to this tomorrow” and mean it. It’s not a weakness; it’s sustainability.
Caregiving doesn’t stop when your laptop opens. But the best teams make space for the fact that life happens, and support each other through it.
Communication is key. Let your colleagues know when you might need coverage or flexibility and return the favor when you can. And if you’re a manager, set the tone by normalizing this kind of transparency. When people feel safe sharing what’s going on outside of work, the whole team operates with more empathy and less burnout.
You’re juggling a lot and that can come with a constant sense that you’re not doing enough in either world. But guilt doesn’t serve you (or the people who count on you).
Instead of chasing perfection, focus on presence. Give yourself credit for what you are doing — keeping projects moving, showing up for your loved ones, and making it work, even on the hard days. You’ll never feel perfectly balanced, but you can feel aligned, and that’s what keeps you steady.
Even small moments of self-care make a difference. It doesn’t have to be a full spa day, it can be a ten-minute walk, a quiet cup of coffee before the day starts, or even a short meditation can help reset your energy. Think of it as maintenance for your brain and your patience. The more you recharge, the better you can show up for work, for clients, and for the people who depend on you at home.
Caregiving and PR both rely on the same skill set: empathy, problem-solving, and the ability to stay calm when everything feels urgent. Balancing them is hard, but it’s also a reminder that the best communicators are the ones who understand what it means to care deeply — for clients, colleagues, and the people who need them most.
At BAM, we’ll keep making space for the humans behind the headlines, because stories can wait, but people can’t.