CJ Hendry: On Kids and Chaos

About this episode

CJ Hendry shares her journey of balancing motherhood and a creative career, emphasizing authenticity and joy over perfection.

CJ Hendry, artist and mother of three, shares her raw, hilarious journey navigating motherhood in the city, all while building her creative empire. In this episode, CJ breaks down how she balances her thriving art career with raising three kids across continents—from Australia to Brooklyn. You'll discover how her unconventional approach to parenting emphasizes ease and joy over perfection, and why she believes hard work and authenticity are the ultimate superpowers. We explore the truth about modern motherhood: the pressures, the mess, and the unexpected moments of love that make it all worth it. She talks about ditching the pressure of extracurriculars, choosing connection over chaos, and why the secret to raising balanced children is simply showing up as your imperfect, exhausted, real self.Why does this matter? Because in a world obsessed with productivity and picture-perfect parenting, CJ boldly affirms that just surviving—sometimes in sweatpants and a pile of laundry—is enough. Her stories inspire parents to embrace the chaos, ditch the guilt, and find joy in the little, unruly moments. Whether you're a creative soul or in the trenches of parenting, this episode offers…

People in this episode

Host: We'll Sleep When We're Dead

Guest: CJ Hendry

Topics covered

• motherhood
• parenting
• art career
• work-life balance
• creativity
• chaos

Keywords

• motherhood
• art
• parenting
• creativity
• work-life balance
• chaos
• authenticity

Mentioned in this episode

Places: Australia, Brooklyn

More episodes of We'll Sleep When We're Dead

• From Fevers to Head Injuries: An ER Doctor Answers Parents’ Biggest Questions · June 9, 2026 · 40 min
• The Working Mom Reality Check: 5 Truths We Don’t Talk About Enough · June 2, 2026 · 41 min
• Stay or Leave? Why That's the Wrong Question — with WorkMom's Mel Goodman · May 26, 2026 · 45 min
• Stay-At-Home Mom Truths: Loneliness, Boredom & Feeling Left Behind · May 19, 2026 · 43 min
• Quitting the Corporate Ladder to Be a Present Dad — and Going Viral Doing It, with Jason Eadie · May 12, 2026 · 45 min
• Quality Time vs. Quantity Time: What Actually Matters for Moms This Mother's Day · May 5, 2026 · 45 min