7 Survival Tips for Working Parents

Navigating the workplace and your career – post baby – can throw even the most organised into a spin. Here’s some tried & tested advice on making your return to work more satisfying and enjoyable.

1. Develop your resilience
   We often talk about professional and emotional resilience but now it’s your turn to play ball. Resilience allows you to deal with change and confront challenges with strength and clarity – something parents encounter and require every day as you nurture and negotiate with your children. When you return to work, don’t sweat the small stuff, it’s only natural things won’t always go to plan. Realise you are only human – sometimes you will achieve less than you would like to deliver because your time, availability and priorities are stretched beyond your pre-baby capacity. Accept change is inevitable, and even good for you.
2. Find a mentor / role model
   Seek out someone you know and respect, share your challenges and wins and discuss ways to deal with any tough work or family challenges. That person could be a work colleague, another parent, or someone outside of work who shares similar challenges or aspirations as you.
3. Create a 5-year career and life plan
   Don’t let this point be too onerous because it doesn’t need to be. Think: one page max or a five point bullet plan – whatever makes it meaningful for you. As life circumstances change, so too will your aspirations, motivators and anxieties – that’s normal. By setting yourself some career and personal goals or aims that inspire you, you’ll have a game plan and peace of mind that you are still on track.
4. Seek Career Coaching
   If you feel directionless and unsure of your career or parenting goals and are struggling to manage the whole work / life mix in reality, consider seeing a professional Career Coach or counsellor who can help you work through what’s important to you.
5. Reinvent yourself as a working parent
   Being a parent is not an ailment, something you should be ashamed of or feel second class about – quite frankly working parents are amazing – be proud of your achievements. Never hide your parent-status at work; it will be to your own detriment. Now’s the time to own it.
6. Reflect and celebrate milestones and achievements
   Whether times are good or tough, make time to reflect on your situation.
   Personal reflection can give you perspective and help you realise just what you’re capable of.
7. What about career progression and development?
   Don’t assume you can’t progress if you’re a working parent. If you’re focused on the next career promotion, be upfront, so your manager knows your intentions and aspirations rather than leaving them to guess or assume. It’s about harnessing your strengths and drawing on your experiences so you can put your best foot forward whether it’s about negotiating a pay rise, the next promotion, or presenting a business case for flexible work arrangements. Be proactive and review your career plan, discuss options with your manager, partner and other relevant people to support your continued learning and development.

Thanks to Karen Miles, speaker, author and consultant for this article: www.karenmiles.com.au