How to be a working parent? Lower your standards
4/13/202626 min
From brain fog to identity crises to complicated feelings of guilt (or relief), returning to work as a new parent can be daunting. Luckily, you don't need to navigate this transition alone. Life Kit reporter Andee Tagle talks to working parents and experts about how to balance a job, parenting and being a person all at once.
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First 90 secondsSpeaker 00:00
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Marielle· Host0:15
You're listening to Life Kit [upbeat music] from NPR. Hi there, I'm Marielle. I'll be onboarding you today. [upbeat music] Welcome to your unofficial orientation to working parenthood. Now, lucky for you, I'm not gonna send you down to the front office to get your ID photo taken, and you don't have to get a laptop set up with IT. But if you open your welcome packet, you'll see that you have your work cut out for you. Going from worker to parent to working parent is no small task, especially if you're making the transition soon after your baby is born, as a lot of us in the US do.
Amy Beacom· Guest0:50
What people are doing is they're learning two new roles really fast, under a lot of pressure with lack of sleep and zero guidance and zero support, and it doesn't have to be that way. It's a ridiculous way to do things.
Marielle· Host1:05
Amy Beacom is the founder and CEO of the Center for Parental Leave Leadership. It's a consulting firm that helps employers and working parents navigate parental leave, and she says there are things you can do to set yourself up for success here. For instance, before you even go on parental leave.
Amy Beacom· Guest1:22
I often say the best way to prepare for leave is to plan your return.
Marielle· Host1:26
You know when you're supposed to report back, so come up with a plan,