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Flying solo isn’t always a flex.
What solo parenting at 30,000 feet reminded me about asking for support in business.

I used to love flying alone.
I'd get to the airport a little early. Lounge snacks, a glass of wine, a quiet seat to catch up on work or read a book — solo travel felt like a luxury ritual in motion.
Then I flew alone with my baby for the first time.
And suddenly, I’m standing in a plane bathroom — holding a squirming infant, trying to pee while not letting her touch anything.
Ever tried to zip up your pants one-handed while bouncing a baby on your hip? Add turbulence and a mystery wet spot on your sock and you’ve got the full picture.
It was a successful trip, technically.
We made it there and back.
But only because of kind strangers who helped — someone lifted my bag into the overhead bin, another picked up Camilla's toys when she threw them across the row. None of it went according to plan.
And still… it worked.
When you're flying solo — literally or metaphorically — you have to get comfortable being uncomfortable.
You will face things you can’t control.
Your carefully prepped baby might poop during takeoff and then immediately fall asleep, leaving you with the question: Do I wake her up and deal with it? Or sit in silence, marinating in motherhood?
(For the record: I chose to wake her up. You're welcome, seatmate.)
The same thing happens in business.
There are moments where the balls you’re juggling start to outnumber your hands. You either ask for help, or drop something that matters.
Whether you’re a founder, a freelancer, or a leader in transition, there will be seasons when you need support. And not asking for it only makes the turbulence worse.
This Week…
Notice where you're pretending you’ve “got this” — and figure out who you can ask for support instead.
FROM MY SHELFThe Answer Is No by Fredrik Backman. This is a witty short story. Backman introduces us to Lucas, a man who cherishes his solitude—until a misplaced frying pan and an overzealous apartment board disrupt his peaceful existence. | ![]() |
![]() | FROM MY QUEUEPodcast: Dr. Becky Kennedy on The Skinny Confidential Him & Her Podcast Dr. Becky gets into the challenges of modern parenting, offering strategies on setting effective boundaries, managing screen time, and fostering emotional resilience in children. |
![]() | Jamie Anne Vaughan Entrepreneur | Assistant Professor | Strategic Communicator Follow me on LinkedIn. |


