Why participate in the Professional Parents programme?
Having a child is a one of the most important and rewarding things a couple can do together. Initial parenting challenges typically revolve around feeding and sleeping. But when one or both parents return to work, couples face many new pressures, namely how to balance family commitments with maintaining a rewarding and stimulating career. However, statistics show that fewer and fewer people are happy with the traditional set-up of work and family life. 52% of men and 48% of women would like more flexible hours, whilst the number of fathers working from home has doubled from 14 to 29% from 2002 to 2005 [1].
The Professional Parents coaching programme has been designed to help parents work together as a couple to navigate their way through the different demands. The combination of coaching sessions, case studies and network of support will bring couples the following benefits:
- A common and shared view of what is right for you as a couple from a work/life balance perspective bringing the opportunity for both of you to retain a career and play a large part in bringing up the children.
- An awareness of what is possible from a work/life balance perspective.
- The chance to consider working more flexibly.
- Clarity about what steps you could take to achieve your stated goal.
- An increased control over how work and home life interact.
- Improved communication around work/life balance issues.
Ultimately, if you feel satisfied and fulfilled by the balance you achieve between home and work life, your children will be happier and healthier too.
[1] Why Women Mean Business, Wittenberg-Cox & Maitland, 2008
