Parenting has become synonymous with stress and anxiety during this pandemic. You don’t need us to tell you yet again that parents are overwhelmed, burnt out, and struggling to manage it all—child care, virtual learning, work, and so much more.
Good Morning America turned to Maven expert Parenting Coach and Mental Health Provider Mercedes Samudio for her tips for parents on navigating it all, for a live segment that aired Monday.
But first, GMA’s hosts wanted to know what exactly a “parenting coach” is, as it’s a new term for many people. Think of them as supportive professionals that help both a parent and their child be their best selves—individually and as a family unit. Parenting coaches are among the more than 25 different provider types in Maven’s virtual clinic, which is the largest of its kind for women and families.
Mercedes explained it best on GMA: “A parenting coach is a professional who supports parents in developing their identity and their unique parenting style so they can raise whole, healthy children.”
In the segment, Mercedes touched on a common question we’re hearing from parents: how to talk to your employer or your manager about your shifting schedule and needs. Mercedes shared tips for parents to approach these conversations at work, including:
- Set clear expectations about your schedule and how often it may change
- Ask what the policies are for adjusting your schedule if needed due to school or child care
- Make sure you have defined daily, weekly, and monthly responsibilities
- Focus on hitting your goals
- Check in with your supervisor frequently
Of course, it’s not all on parents themselves to navigate these challenging times. We know from our work partnering with leading employers that they’re committed to stepping up to support working parents, and adopting solutions and policies to create better workplaces for all of their employees.
While Mercedes shared tips for parents talking about their needs at work, on the other side of these conversations, people managers want tips and guidance as well—and they’re often turning to their HR leaders for best practices. We’ve got you covered! Checkout our tipsheet with Dos and don’ts for conversations with working parents, with guidance for managers from an expert Maven career coach.
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