Posted in Freelancer, Top tips, Tools & Advice, Learning,
Rising costs of childcare, new workplace demands, a culture of constant availability, competitive markets, the disappearance of the traditional 'village' support system – balancing career and parenthood in the 21st century comes with its share of challenges.
And it’s time to talk about it.
In partnership with the PRCA, The Work Crowd recently hosted a LinkedIn Live with three founders and communications professionals to open the discussion around the big balancing act. And how working parents (or those thinking of becoming one) can develop a stronger sense of priorities on both ends of the spectrum.
Here are our top takeaways from the event, hosted by Ben Mitchell, Head of Interim at The Work Crowd:
Strategic clarity and coordination are critical in communications careers. Communications pros are custodians of reputations, representatives for teams and companies, even crisis managers, and it can be high stakes, demanding work. Just like being a parent.
As fulfilling as both of these roles are, they come with challenging expectations – particularly when juggling both responsibilities. Looking at your workload from an outsider’s vantage point will help you discern what’s realistic and achievable, and what you may need support with. Whether it’s sharing childcare responsibilities with your spouse, bringing in freelancer reinforcements for the big project, or simply letting go of household tasks for a week or two.
…and probably tougher to do. For anyone who’s struggled with achieving the work-life balance, we know having children can add further considerations to the dynamic. Regardless of whether you’re self-employed, interim, a founder, or something else, there will always be a movable benchmark as a parent.
Creating structure around both aspects of your life will help you maintain as much equilibrium as possible. It will communicate priorities with clients and employers, and teach your children that work is also an important responsibility. A key thing to remember? That rules are made to be broken. As your career and family progress, you will need to reassess your work-life balance to ensure they still work for you and your family.
Anyone with children knows they come with their fair share of commitments. School pick-ups, doctor appointments, summer holidays, extracurriculars…the to-do list never ends. Movable or not, planned or unpredictable, there will be times when you’ll need to step out during contracted work hours when you’re a parent.
The best course of action? Being upfront. If you have regular childcare commitments, make it clear to employers – or prospective employers – at the right time. Not only will it alleviate any anxieties you might have about balancing career and kids, it also opens a clear and honest line of communication. Chances are your team will respect you more for it. And, if not, you’ll know the role might not be the best fit. Speaking of which…
There’s a common saying that job hunting is a full-time job – but so is parenting. Finding the right opportunity for your career progression can be challenging enough, but with kids in tow, it might feel like your options are limited.
If you’re in the thick of a job search, a solid recruiter can help hone in on roles that suit your professional trajectory and your parenting responsibilities. They can identify hiring companies with good levels of flexibility built into their working structure and other useful benefits like good parental leave or extended holiday allowance. Bottom line: they’ll communicate your strongest skills and experience, putting you in the best possible position before you even walk through the door.
For a lot of parents (and prospective parents), the idea of juggling the responsibility of children with the expectations of a communications career can feel intimidating. Both roles are hard-earned, demanding and rewarding. But the choice to start a family doesn’t necessarily need to result in sacrificing all aspects of your professional life.
Whether it’s assessing priorities, setting (and resetting) boundaries, being open about commitments, or working with the right recruiter to find a more suitable role, the parenting path is paved with intentional choices.
The conversation is far from over. The work to create more holistic societies has only just begun. But the more we discuss how we manage personal and professional, the better equipped we can collectively become to build careers and families which are sustainable, fulfilling and future ready.
Want to talk about the support you need for your business? We’re here for that. The Work Crowd has a vast network of freelance and interim support ready to plug into your team for the next big win, project or campaign. If you need extra resource, get in touch.