Mompreneurs in Transition: A Longitudinal Study of Fluidity, Wellbeing, and Additional Needs This one-year longitudinal study investigates the evolving understanding of wellbeing among mompreneurs (mother-entrepreneurs) caring for children with additional needs (AN). It provides a nuanced exploration of the complex realities faced by these women, highlighting the multilayered nature of wellbeing as they navigate multiple roles, including those of mother, entrepreneur, caregiver, spouse, and citizen. Mothers who serve as primary caregivers for AN children encounter significant challenges in securing suitable, flexible employment that meets both their wellbeing and financial objectives (Baker & Drapela, 2010; Dillon-Wallace et al., 2014; Scott, 2018). In response to these difficulties, some mothers have turned to entrepreneurship as a means to achieve their goals. This study, therefore, focuses on the narratives of these women. Building on the findings of an earlier investigation (Casteleijn-Osorno, 2024), this study focuses on the fluid relationship between entrepreneurship and wellbeing, particularly in the context of caregiving and role-related stress (Zaidman-Zait et al., 2017). Among the five participants, three self-identify as neurodiverse, a factor that has significantly influenced their entrepreneurial decisions and the construction of their wellbeing identity. This study investigates how neurodiversity intersects with caregiving and entrepreneurship, shaping both challenges and resilience in these women’s lives. To address the sensitivities of the research topic, the study employed a social constructionist approach, utilizing LEGO® Serious Play® (LSP) as a method to facilitate data collection. LSP allowed participants to construct metaphorical representations of their experiences and articulate abstract concepts that might otherwise be difficult to verbalize. By encouraging participants to focus on tactile and visual construction, LSP reduced the pressures of direct verbal communication and enabled free expression through creative modeling (Kriszan & Nienaber, 2024; Martin-Cruz et al., 2021; Roos & Victor, 2018). This innovative methodology provided rich qualitative data, which were analyzed through a hermeneutic constructivist lens to uncover deeper layers of meaning in participants’ narratives. Preliminary findings reveal the dynamic nature of wellbeing among mompreneurs, characterized by an ongoing negotiation of their multiple roles. The study highlights the evolving relationships between these women and their entrepreneurial ventures, alongside shifts in caregiving responsibilities and community engagement. Notably, the specialized skill sets developed through parenting a child with AN—such as adaptability, problem-solving, and resilience—emerge as critical assets in their entrepreneurial pursuits, further expanding on previous observations (Casteleijn-Osorno, 2024). These findings contribute to a nuanced understanding of how mompreneurs navigate the complex intersections of caregiving, entrepreneurship, and wellbeing. By situating their experiences within broader discussions of role fluidity and resilience, this study provides valuable insights into the unique challenges and strengths of this population, with implications for policy and practice in supporting caregiver-entrepreneurs.
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