Mother Leader: Megan Harper, Marketing, PR, and Events

Megan Harper (She/Her) made a name for herself working in start-ups around the same time she became a mother. Currently running @girlgonechild_, a popular new mom community Mama Said, and her marketing agency Girl Gone Brand, she is on a mission to show other women you can have it all. Megan now lives in Charlotte, NC with her husband and three kids, but her heart is always NYC.

How postpartum are you? 

2 Years and 10 Months and 12 days. I just weaned my 2.5 year old. Before that, someone has been feeding off my body since June 2013! Think about that for a moment.

How have you transformed since becoming a parent? 

Before I had kids, I was a wild 26 year old running around NYC bartending to make a living and traveling every chance I could get. Hence the birth of @girlgonechild_ . When I got pregnant with my son, my entire world was turned upside down. 

It wasn’t a bad thing but it was my sign that it was time to grow up and realize I had a bigger purpose in life. I now run a very successful marketing firm and have been working in start-ups climbing my way to the top since.

With the little solo time you do get, what’s your favorite thing to do? 

Honestly, with three kids and the pandemic I’m not even sure what I like to do anymore. I know that sounds sad but work and momming pretty much take up my entire life. I do hit the gym 5 days a week, but I wouldn’t say I enjoy it. It does keep my mental health in check. Plus, I yell less at my family when I workout. 

If you could describe your postpartum experience in one word, what would it be and why? 

Child 1: Lonely, I was 26 and none of my friends were even thinking about having kids

Child 2: Anxiety, I had PPA with my second and I was constantly scared I’d drop the baby in the oven or the toddler would run out in front of a car. 

Child 3: Guilty – I went back to work 6 weeks postpartum. I felt guilt that I wasn’t giving the new baby the time she deserved.

What’s something that caught you off guard during the first 3 months of parenthood? 

That we were constantly on the Tit Timer. Even when there was plenty of milk at home, when we went out together without the baby I’d have to hand pump around hour 3 or 4. Breastfeeding is so hard.

Also after my first kid, nobody told me that I would never be alone EVER!! That baby was ALWAYS there.

On a scale of 1-10, how supported did you feel as you navigated healing and learning how to take care of your baby? Why? 

1? I remember leaving the hospital with my first and walking out saying “you guys sure you’re ok with this? I don’t have to take a test or anything? You trust me to take care of this baby? Well, ok!”

If you could dream up the perfect postpartum journey, what would it look like and feel like?. 

I just wanted time with my husband to enjoy my new family. My husband was starting his own business and was basically back to work the next day. It was just very lonely and it felt very unfair. I was never mad at him, but I was livid.

What’s the #1 piece of advice you’d give a brand new parent? 

Sleep when the baby sleeps. I’m just F’in kidding! Find local moms around you who also had babies recently to lift you up and support you. Our country is failing us for support and we only have ourselves.