Carolijn Braeken
Home Series are conversations with friends about parenthood, work-life balance and treasured items.
Carolijn is a writer living in a small town near Leiden, Netherlands, with her husband, two daughters, and their third child on the way.
You’re a mother of two girls and expecting your third child—congratulations! How does it feel knowing your family is about to grow?
Thank you! It's really exciting, and it also feels a bit overwhelming from time to time. It's hard to imagine welcoming another little girl into our lives with her own needs, personality, and world. But I know that we will find our new path and rhythm once she is here. We are just really grateful to be able to experience this magical journey again, and we can't wait to see the girls in their new roles as big(ger) sisters. I'm really not looking forward to the sleepless nights again, though - somehow, we make really bad sleepers, but maybe the third time's a charm. Luckily, we know by now everything is a phase and that, in the end, we will get some sleep again.
What do you do professionally, and what does a typical day look like?
I'm a writer, and after many years, I am still discovering my own creative path. I went to law school and used to be a corporate lawyer, but after a little while, I realized I needed to follow my passion and focus on writing and creating. I started writing for magazines, and after I became a mother, I wrote and self-published my first book on motherhood. When we were living in New York, I fell in love with all the amazing local preloved and vintage kids' stores, so I founded my own when we moved back to the Netherlands. A few months ago, I sold the store because I missed being able to focus on my creativity and writing, so now I'm slowly discovering this new chapter in my life.
How do you manage to juggle your professional life with being a mom?
Both kids go to school, so I do as much work as possible during their school hours. I pick them up after school in the afternoon and try to focus on them, so no answering emails or calls. It’s usually in the evening when the creative juices are really flowing, so often, I’m writing for some time after the kids go to bed.
You live in Holland. How would you describe the culture around raising children and family here?
Unfortunately, our culture and regulations are more work-focused than family-orientated. When I lived in Stockholm for my studies, I was fascinated by all the young women returning to university after having their first child, being able to do so because of the parental leave of their partner (and vice versa)! In the Netherlands you only get fully paid for a week when your partner has a baby, for mothers it’s normal to get back to work after three months even though having a baby is such a crazy, magical ride – both physical and mental.
How do you plan to navigate your maternity leave as your own boss?
Being self-employed, it’s always a challenge not to be working non-stop. However, I’m really determined to give my mind and body some rest a few weeks before my due date and a little while after giving birth. It’s such a special time, and I really need to be able to focus on myself and my kids without feeling guilty or feeling the pressure to achieve in any other field in my life.
When decorating your home, what’s most important to you?
I really need to feel and experience a house before starting to decorate it. How’s the light in the morning, where do we spend most of our time, how do we use our rooms? I don’t like overly staged interiors that look like a copy past from a magazine or Pinterest board. I rather collect special pieces over the years that tell a story and add a little extra to our home.
Do you have a most treasured item in your home, and what makes it special to you?
I love the framed analog photo taken from our apartment in Brooklyn, New York. It looks like a little window with the amazing view we had from the 19th floor of our apartment building, and it reminds me of the amazing time we had together living abroad.
A framed view from their apartment on the 19th floor in Brooklyn, New York
Your daughters must have ideas for their spaces. How do they participate in decorating?
They chose the pink color for their bedroom walls, and after our renovation project, they’ll have a say in picking out a layout for their new rooms. I love using color, and I think it’s important for the girls to be able to feel free in their own home: there are always drawings hanging on the walls, cardboard houses on the living room floor, or diy play tents with pillow forts. The only thing that’s a big no for me is stickers on furniture or walls, haha.
Finally, what advice would you give to parents expecting their first child?
Listen to your own instinct! There are so many books, blogs, and Instagram accounts filled with sleep and food schedules, things you really should be doing, things you definitely should not do. But every baby and family is different, and basically everything you need to know is already in your heart. You really do know best for your own child. Also, welcoming a new human into this world is such a life-changing experience; give it some time to adjust to the new situation and try to trust the process. In the end, you will feel like yourself again!
Photography: Sarah Wijzenbeek
The interview has been edited for clarity.
Published on January 3rd, 2025.
