Renata Wiles is the founder of ROAM with Kids, an app that helps NZ parents find places to go with their kids, complete with parent reviews, age-based filters, and local events.

What started as a dodgy Google map she built to stop answering the same DMs is now live across New Zealand and just landed in Brisbane.

In this episode, Renata gets refreshingly honest about what building a business with small kids actually looks like. We're talking one-handed pram-pushing while replying to emails, working until 1am for almost a year, and sitting with a resignation email in her drafts for three months before she finally hit send.

We also talk about the thing nobody says out loud: that "flexible working" doesn't really exist for parents. That the juggle is real. That this week might just be a write-off. And that the only way through is building your own village.

Big conversation. Lots of laughs. A genuinely messy moment at the end.

New episodes drop every week. Follow wherever you listen, and find us at thevillageco.nz.

Find your village at: TheVillageCo.nz

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This week nearly broke us.

Between daycare chaos, burnout, building a business with two young kids, and trying to hold it all together… something had to change.

In this episode, we’re getting real about:

• the messy moment that pushed us to the edge
• the reality of daycare (and why it’s not working for so many families)
• taking space, burnout, and what happens when you finally stop
• why we rebuilt everything and launched The Village Co. 2.0

This isn’t a polished business story.

It’s the messy middle, the part no one talks about.

And it’s exactly where this next chapter starts.

If you’re building something, raising kids, or just trying to keep your head above water… this one’s for you.

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New episodes dropping as we bring on women building big things (without pretending they have it all together).

About Us

We’re Nikki & Soph, the founders behind The Village Co.a platform rethinking how families find support. Built in the chaos of real life, not boardrooms.

Connect with us

Instagram: @VillageBabysitting

Facebook: @VillageBabysitting

TikTok: @VillageBabysitting

Website: TheVillageCo.nz

Find your village at: TheVillageCo.nz

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we're getting real about the one thing every mum talks about needing but almost never actually gets: rest. We kick off with a stat that'll make you laugh (and cry) — the average mum works the equivalent of 2.5 full-time jobs when you combine paid work, childcare, and household labour. Oh, and the weekend? Sold to us as rest. TGIF indeed.

From white-knuckling a weekend full of activities and face paint in the shed, to the concept of a 'switch-off moment' (hint: it used to happen at daycare drop-off), we unpack the reality of modern motherhood — the mental load, the mum guilt, the constant spinning of plates — with humour, honesty, and zero judgement.

We also ask the uncomfortable question: when was the last time you genuinely rested? The answer might surprise you (Fiji, 2021, before the second kid arrived).

In This Episode

[00:00] The 2.5 jobs stat — why weekends don't count as rest

[02:00] Weekend activities and the reality behind 'making memories'

[03:47] Managing kids' boredom without losing your mind

[05:00] Planning excursions in a busy city — chicken nuggets in the air fryer FTW

[07:34] Switch-off moments: what happened to just… not thinking?

[09:00] The challenge of rest — binge-watching Netflix used to be a valid activity

[11:59] The trend of mums actually taking time for themselves (gasp)

[13:28] Mum guilt vs. dad guilt — spoiler: not the same thing

[15:14] The mental load and calendar management — spinning plates edition

[17:57] When was the last time you genuinely rested?

[20:00] Messy moments, face paint, and kids in the shed

[23:00] Kids' creative play — beautiful chaos

[25:00] Language, boundaries, and honest parenting conversations

[27:00] The importance of rest — what the research actually says

[28:30] Reflecting on balance and closing thoughts

Find your village at: TheVillageCo.nz

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.