Maternity Coaching
What is Maternity Coaching?
Maternity Coaching is designed to support expectant and returning mothers as they transition into parenthood while managing their careers. The goal is to help mothers navigate the emotional, practical, and professional challenges of becoming a parent, whether it’s their first time or whether they’re expanding their family. Maternity coaching provides a safe space for mothers to reflect on this major life change and receive personalised support tailored to their specific needs.
From preparing for parental leave to reintegrating into the workplace, Maternity Coaching helps mothers build confidence, manage their work-family balance, and ensure that their career trajectory remains strong while embracing their new role as a parent.
Why is Parental Transition Coaching different?
While Maternity Coaching focuses on the unique needs of mothers, Parental Transition Coaching (PTC) broadens the scope to include all parents—mothers, fathers, non-birthing, and adoptive parents. It builds upon the core principles of maternity coaching, offering the same personalised, supportive approach, but it goes further by recognising that the transition into parenthood affects everyone, regardless of gender or parental role.
PTC acknowledges that while mothers may face specific challenges, other parents also need guidance and support to manage the balance between work and family life. Just like maternity coaching, PTC provides tailored and comprehensive support that address concerns such as returning to work, time management, and emotional well-being. However, it also encompasses the experiences of fathers and other caregivers, ensuring that everyone has the tools they need to succeed both at home and in their careers.
With Parental Transition Coaching, the focus is on inclusivity, ensuring that all parents receive the support they need to thrive during this critical life phase. It’s a comprehensive approach that supports the entire family dynamic, helping organisations create a more balanced, family-friendly workplace culture.
Why Parental Transition Coaching is Important for New Mothers
PTC is essential for new mothers as it helps them manage the significant life transition that comes with welcoming a child. The emotional, practical, and professional demands can be overwhelming, and coaching provides the tailored support they need. Benefits of maternity coaching include:
- Reduced stress and improved mental health.
- A clearer focus on work-life balance.
- Confidence in managing their career progression while caring for family.
For mothers taking extended leave, maternity coaching helps them prepare for their return by developing a clear reintegration plan. Even for mothers taking shorter leave periods, the sessions provide a safe space to reflect on their experience and ensure a smoother transition back to the workplace.
What Does Parental Transition Coaching Involve?
Our coaching programme involves a series of sessions with a qualified coach to ensure all personal issues surrounding the challenges of becoming a parent at work are comprehensively explored. We recommend 4 sessions where the employee will set objectives at the start of every session.
The individual can work through any deeper concerns or barriers they may be worried about with their dedicated coach. The sessions have an emphasis on identifying ways to move forward and take action.
To support the manager of the employee, we also recommend at least two meetings between a different coach and the manager. One of these should take place before the parental leave starts and the other upon return. These meetings can provide a real boost to leadership skills.
Our coaching programme is thoughtfully structured to meet the needs of both the parent and their organisation. Here’s how it works:
- Session 1 – Expectancy at Work:
This session takes place during expectancy or adoption preparation. Common topics covered include:- Managing the shift in identity, from professional to parent.
- Maintaining confidence through this major life change.
- Strengthening workplace relationships in preparation for leave.
- Creating a handover and keeping-in-touch plan.
- Building a strong support network for the leave period.
- Preparing to exit work feeling calm, in control, and ready to enjoy time with the new arrival.
- Session 2 – Preparing to Return to Work:
During this session, we encourage new parents on leave to reconnect with their colleagues and begin to explore how they feel about returning to work. This is often a time of mixed emotions, and the session helps parents reflect on their options and prepare both practically and emotionally. Areas for discussion might include:- Addressing concerns or anxieties about returning to work.
- Re-evaluating personal and family values.
- Planning return-to-work meetings with managers.
- Organising the logistics of childcare and time management.
- Setting clear reintegration objectives and building workplace relationships.
- Sessions 3 & 4 – Transitioning to a Working Parent:
These sessions take place during the first three months after the parent returns to work. Their purpose is to provide support during this critical reintegration period, helping parents regain their confidence and re-establish themselves in the workplace. Topics often discussed include:- Identifying both the benefits and challenges of the return to work for the parent and their family.
- Conducting a personal skills audit—assessing strengths, transferable skills, and areas for growth.
- Understanding what’s changed in the workplace during their absence.
- Reflecting on their career direction and assessing time management skills to balance work and family life.
- Enhancing personal visibility, stakeholder management, and navigating workplace dynamics.
Equipping managers to support team members
A crucial part of PTC is ensuring that managers are equipped to support their team members during parental transitions. We recommend at least two coaching sessions with managers, where they can reflect on how to create a more family-friendly team culture and become more understanding and supportive leaders.
Parental Transition Coaching with P&P
At P&P, our Parental Transition Coaching programme is one of the core ways we help businesses foster a family-friendly workplace culture. Our global team of experienced coaches understands the nuances of balancing work and family life, and we’re here to support your team through this transformative time.
We’ve also launched the first-ever Parental Transition Coaching Qualification to help businesses foster family-friendly cultures and ensure all employees receive the support they need.
If you’d like to meet our coaches or discuss how Parental Transition Coaching can benefit your organisation, please contact us. We’d love to help!
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Get in touch to find out how P&P can support your organisation.