How carers coaching helped me balance work and family

Our coachee, a senior leader within banking, shares how she has been supported in balancing her full-time career and caregiving responsibilities through Parent and Professional’s Carers Coaching service.

Caring for a loved one while managing a demanding career can often feel overwhelming. At Parent and Professional, our Carers Coaching service provides tailored support to help individuals navigate these challenges, empowering them with strategies to manage both roles effectively.

We spoke with our coachee, a full-time carer for her elderly relative, about how this coaching helped her find balance and confidence in her dual responsibilities.

So, how did the coaching programme work for you?

Over the course of our sessions, Alison, my coach, was empathetic, extremely helpful, and treated me as an individual. She didn’t offer stock answers but instead thought quickly about new and unusual situations, always exploring thoughtful and practical solutions.

She never passed judgment or expressed doubt about my intention to continue pursuing a full-time career while being a full-time carer for my very frail elderly relative. Instead, Alison constructively helped me navigate ideas on how to manage the challenge of balancing the two.

She encouraged me to distinguish between problems I could resolve and those I couldn’t, showing me how to work around the latter rather than fight a losing battle. This approach was incredibly helpful and gave me a realistic perspective on what I could achieve.

That sounds great! What did you find most beneficial about the coaching?

Alison’s ability to listen without judgment and her understanding of my challenges made all the difference. Knowing that she had previously balanced her own professional career with family care responsibilities reassured me that she truly understood the difficulties I was facing.

She provided a wealth of valuable information after our sessions, which I’ve been able to refer back to as I continue to navigate this journey. Alison’s collaborative approach stood out, she supported my thinking and encouraged action rather than prescribing solutions single-handedly.

Most importantly, she made me feel positive about how I was managing my elderly relative’s care. It makes a big difference to feel that you’re heading in the right direction, even if the results aren’t always perfect.

What did you gain most from the experience?

Alison reassured me that I was already doing most things right, which boosted my confidence and gave me clarity. Rather than pushing for radical change, she helped me identify enhancements that could mitigate the difficulties I was facing.

The sessions were a safe and supportive space where I felt encouraged to share my thoughts openly. Alison’s approach made me feel like everything I said mattered, even if I initially thought otherwise. I trusted her entirely, especially with her reassurances about confidentiality and her understanding of my goals.

For someone considering coaching, what would you say?

This has been an extremely helpful experience. Alison’s support has encouraged me to think positively about how I am managing my dual responsibilities. I’ve been able to implement agreed solutions and work through the information she provided, which has made a real difference.

I truly appreciated my employer giving me the opportunity to take part in this coaching programme. It’s a transformative experience that I would recommend to any carer balancing work and family responsibilities.

For further information about our one-to-one carers coaching services contact: henriette@pandpcoaching.co.uk

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