Why Founding Parenting Point Helped Me Find My Work-Life Balance

Becoming a mum made me realise that one of the biggest changes we experience in our working lives is the transition to become a working parent, with continuing challenges as this identity evolves. It influences how we think and behave at work and in life going forward.

Looking back at my own experience returning to work after having a baby, I would describe those early weeks (and months) as an emotional tug of war between my ‘old’ working self and new parent identity. I had concerns over how I would operate with the clarity and focus I’d once had, both from a practical perspective given my now much reduced sleep patterns and emotionally as my attention was now more divided. I felt anxious when I thought about the end of the unequivocal time with my little boy, and guilty about the impact this change might have on him and on my work.

This way of thinking wasn’t helping me to be the parent or the professional I wanted to be. I had to stop seeing the ‘old’ and ‘new’ me as two separate people. What I grew to recognise was that, rather than viewing my roles as a parent and professional as two competing forces, I needed to see them in co-existence. Yes, my context had changed, and my priorities had shifted. The way I would work and parent going forward would be different. But ultimately, both would continue to be an important part of my evolving identity and growth as a person. I then had to re-focus my time and energy towards the areas in work and family life that matter most to me.

This shift in thinking opened my mind to the importance of aligning my personal and professional values. As an Occupational Psychologist, I’m driven by the desire that my work has a positive impact for the people and organisations I support. As a parent, I want to be a constant positive influence in my son’s life.  Launching Parenting Point has given me the chance to combine my experience as a Psychologist & empathy as a parent. Of course, running a small business on top of all the other demands of work and family life isn’t without its challenges. But there’s an energy and excitement that I get from working towards something that’s very important to me. This in turn helps me stay tuned into what signifies a meaningful and fulfilling work-life balance for me.

One of Parenting Point’s values is to encourage and empower parents to find their meaningful and fulfilling work-life balance. Work-life balance is actually a very personal thing; there’s no one-size-fits all solution. A helpful starting point is to give some reflection time to the personal qualities and strengths that are most important to you. Once you’re more consciously aware of the things you value most at work and in life, you might be surprised at just how energised you can feel working towards them.

Please get in touch if you’d like to hear more about the work I’m currently doing with individuals and organisations.

Jayne Ruff – Chartered Occupational Psychologist & Founder of Parenting Point.

Parenting Point exists to give everyone the self-belief that they can flourish as a parent and a professional by positively aligning both worlds. We help parents find their meaningful and fulfilling work-life balance through practical, psychology-based workshops and coaching. We work with organisations to create positive and inclusive performance cultures that support and encourage the growth of working parents.