Resource Hub: New Parents
The transition to parenthood involves significant changes and adjustments for new parents, especially when combined with managing a corporate career. This page contains content which has been created to help new parents through this time, delivered through Videos and Shorts available On Demand, Articles and Podcasts. Topics span practical and emotional preparation for becoming a parent, taking parental leave and support through the period of returning to work
Preparing for Parental Leave
Going on parental leave and returning to work brings many challenges, but you don’t have to face them alone.
There are many sources of support you can draw on at this time. In this chapter article, taken from the new book ‘Working Parents-to-be’, we’ll take a look at the type of support you might need, how to identify who could help and how to make sure they are as receptive as possible when you need them.
Read more about this in our expert article : Developing Your Support Network Before Taking Parental Leave with Catherine Oliver
Short Video: Preparing for Parental Leave with Catherine Oliver
In this short video, Catherine shares some of the other things to think about, that will not only help you have a smooth parental leave, but also help you when it comes to returning to work.
Short Video: How to Financially Plan for a Baby with Kate Guild
Supporting New Parents
Podcast: Birth Trauma with Liz Poole
Short Video: Supporting Employees Returning to Work with Jessica Chivers
Preparing for Life After Parental Leave
Ensuring you effectively use the Keeping in Touch (KIT) days available to you whilst on your maternity leave can ensure a much smoother and positive return to work once maternity leave is over. However, a lack of awareness and useful guidance on how to use your KIT days means that many working mums are missing out.
This guide aims to ensure more working parents fully utilise their available (KIT) days, get paid to do so and maximise the value gained. By building a plan, sharing this with your manager and jointly agreeing on expectations you will feel more connected with work whilst on leave as well as increased confidence as you navigate your subsequent return to work.
Read more about this in our expert article : 8 Ways to Make the Most of Your KIT Days with Rachel Jackson
Short Video: Building Self-Confidence after Maternity Leave with Abbi Buszard
Short Video: Skills Developed On Parental Leave And How They Apply To Work with Catherine Oliver
Expert Article: Childcare, The Options
Looking for childcare? What childcare options are there? And how can you bring the cost down?
You’re pregnant. The birth is looming and you think you’ve got everything planned. Birth plan – check. Overnight bag packed – check. Stacks of teeny weeny nappies in the bedroom – check. How organised are you! Or are you? Have you got the whole childcare thing sorted out yet? Human resources experts say many women leave it till the last minute to arrange childcare and this can cause untold problems and stress and make your return to work that much harder.
Read more about this in our expert article with Mandy Garner
Returning to Work
"I spoke with a friend who is just about to go off on maternity leave with her second child and during our chat she mentioned that she feels so much more relaxed this time around. We spoke about how much time we had both spent during our first maternity leave thinking and worrying about work. It got me thinking about things that I wish I’d known about coming back to work after having a baby..."
Read more about this in our expert article : Returning to Work after Parental Leave with Dr Chrissy Jones
Video: Positive Mindset When Returning From Parental Leave with Jayne Ruff
Our mind can be both our greatest demand and our greatest resource during times of change and uncertainty. This video explores some practical ways we can make positive mindset shifts that will help to build our psychological strength during the parental transition back to work. We look at our mindset towards:
- The return-to-work change journey and how to navigate the emotional highs and lows you may experience along the way
- Achieving balance and the importance of tuning into what’s most important to you to help reframe how you respond to time pressures and guilt
- Personal growth and the need to re-focus on what you’ve gained through parental leave and the unique strengths you bring to your role
Podcast: Becoming a Working Parent with Laura Nakano and Abigail Hadley
Expert Article: Be a Boundaries Ninja and Avoid the ‘Work-Life Blur’
Even in ordinary times, many parents struggle to balance work and family commitments. Add working from home and the challenges Covid-19 has brought into the mix and these struggles are amplified, creating a real ‘work-life blur’.
Parents need to balance their conflicting and sometimes overwhelming responsibilities by setting clear boundaries, even more so in a world that’s working remotely. And in order to really be effective, you need to set limits and be realistic about how much time there is in a day.
Here are 5 practical steps you can take to becoming a boundaries ninja at home to avoid work-life blur.
Read more about this in our expert article with Lucinda Quigley
New Parents : Real Life Stories
Real Life Stories: Extended Parental Leave with Robert Colvin
In this video we hear from Robert Colvin who shares his experience of taking extended parental leave twice and the impact on his career and relationship with his wife and children.
Real Life Stories: Post Partum Mental Health with Eve Canavan
In this short video Eve Canavan shares her experience of postpartum psychosis, how she finally got the help she needed and why she set up Maternal Metal Health Awareness Week.
The WorkLife Central Blog
Since our origins in late 2012, we've published a weekly blog sharing the real life experiences and perspectives of individual members balancing work and parenthood. Here are some highlights which are particularly relevant to new parents:
Louise’s Blog: Back to Work and Back to Maternity Leave