Paternity Coaching

Paternity Coaching

Paternity coaching has recently become known as Parental Transition Coaching (PTC). PTC is a term used to incorporate both Paternity Coaching and Maternity Coaching. This is a more inclusive term.

Previously, the term Paternity Coaching would have been used to describe the coaching support offered to an expectant father or a father who’d recently returned from parental leave

Maternity Coaching may have been offered to an expectant mother.

Now we use the term Parental Transition Coaching to include both parties and be more inclusive overall.

What is Paternity Coaching?

Paternity coaching is a term used to describe the support offered to professional fathers whilst on their journey to becoming a working parent.  It has been incorporated into many organisations with a goal to provide support by helping fathers manage their new family lives along with their careers.

What Themes are often covered in Paternity Coaching / Parental Transition Coaching?

Becoming a parent whilst also having a professional career comes with many well known challenges – everyone experiences these challenges differently and they can cover anything from dealing with identity change to coping with sleep deprivation and managing time.  Our PTC programme involves a series of coaching sessions with one of our qualified coaches. The aim of the programme is to explore  how these challenges  affect each individual.

Having a dedicated professional coach gives the individual the opportunity to work through any deeper concerns they may have about becoming a parent and managing their career at the same time.

To get the most out of our PTC programme we recommend 4 sessions.

PTC also includes support for the manager of the employee. We recommend at least two meetings between a different coach and the manager. These meetings can provide a real boost to leadership skills.  Managers have the opportunity to assess how they can be more understanding and supportive of the team member’s situation, as well as how they can create a family-friendly team culture.

What Themes are often covered in Paternity Coaching / Parental Transition Coaching?

Becoming a parent whilst also having a professional career comes with many well known challenges – everyone experiences these challenges differently and they can cover anything from dealing with identity change to coping with sleep deprivation and managing time.  Our PTC programme involves a series of coaching sessions with one of our qualified coaches. The aim of the programme is to explore  how these challenges  affect each individual.

Having a dedicated professional coach gives the individual the opportunity to work through any deeper concerns they may have about becoming a parent and managing their career at the same time.

To get the most out of our PTC programme we recommend 4 sessions.

PTC also includes support for the manager of the employee. We recommend at least two meetings between a different coach and the manager. These meetings can provide a real boost to leadership skills.  Managers have the opportunity to assess how they can be more understanding and supportive of the team member’s situation, as well as how they can create a family-friendly team culture.

Why is Transition Coaching Important for new Parents?

Paternity Coaching or Parental Transition Coaching is a great way to support expectant and new fathers.

For the fathers who choose to take an extended leave period, paternity coaching can provide support for them to reflect on how their leave will impact them both personally and professionally.

PTC can also help practical preparations to be put into place, this could include;

  • Handover
  • Keeping in touch plans
  • Reintegration plans and objectives

For the fathers who choose to take a shorter leave period; the impact of becoming a new father can still seem daunting. They are still experiencing one of the biggest life changes which affects all areas of their lives.

Fathers will need support to manage the change and consider how they can achieve the best work/family balance

P&P Parental Transition Coaching Programme Structure

The structure of our parental transition coaching programme is as follows;

Session 1 – Expectancy at work

This session should take place during before the parental leave starts, whilst the employee is making plans for their leave period from work

Session 2 – Preparing to return to work from parental leave

Whilst on leave, new parents are encouraged to begin to reconnect with their work colleaguesif and when they feel ready.  . Coaching at this stage may also address the feelings associated with the return to work

This can be a very difficult time for many individuals making the transition back to work, so the coaching sessions will help returnersreflect on any concerns and anxieties about returning to work and how to prepare practically as well as emotionally.

Sessions 3 & 4 – Working parent

Sessions 3 and 4 most often take place during the first three months of the parent returning to work. The main purpose of these is to provide support during the reintegration. Coaching at this point can really boost confidence and facilitate a smoother reintegration into the workplace.

Parental Transition Coaching with P&P

Parental Transition Coaching is one of our core solutions for workplaces seeking to create a sustainable, family-friendly culture.

We work with a global team of qualified coaches, who all bring their unique approaches and areas of coaching speciality to their work with our clients .

In fact, we have worked in this specialist space for so long that our services now extend to offering a Parental Transition Coaching Qualification.

To discuss how parental transition coaching could work for your business, please contact us

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