Women's willingness to work on parental leave has increased rapidly recently. There are several reasons for this.
“The benefits are in the greater psychological well-being of the parents. You don't just stay in the children's world. But you can function in an adult as well. As our participants say educational and development activities: you are getting food for the brain. You'll keep your perspective on the industry, learn new things, and narrow the gap in your résumé that penalizes you in the job market. You're also keeping up with the job market. You get new contacts and thus opportunities,” says CEO and founder of the organization Marter Andrea Bohačíková, who focuses on the issue of employing parents on parental leave.
“Another advantage is the increase in household income. Although this point is quite debatable given the situation regarding the care of preschool children and their provision. A lot also depends on whether a woman works because she wants to or because she has to. In other words, whether work gives or takes more energy,” he adds.
If a woman manages to find a suitable employment, in which they are open to employing parents on parental, has half won. Although work-life balance is proclaimed at every corner, not all employers are willing to create jobs tailored to this target group. Part-time with the possibility of working from home is still science fiction. Flexibility and home office are the two main pillars that help working mothers achieve work-life balance.
However, the issue of work-life balance is the same both when working flexibly from home and at work, because of which the mother has to go to the office for a couple of hours a week. But how to do that?
“Choose only three urgent things at a time, attend to them. Finish them and then add more,” advises Andrea Bohacíková.
Flexibility and home office are the main pillars for work-life balance.
It also adds:
“Have time for yourself as well, not just for children, household, work and partner.
Every day, find at least 30 minutes for yourself, so that you have the strength for everything else. But really for yourself, not for cleaning, cooking, etc.
Admit to yourself that you can't do everything, and don't be afraid to ask for help. Whether it's your partner, grandmothers, aunties or lady for babysitting or cleaning. Think about which activities you can delegate. Do what you need to do to combine your career with your family. Do you really have to have a hot dinner 7 days a week and do you really have to cook it yourself? There is always something for something in life. You can't have 100% of everything. But you can still have 100% of what you need. What will be your 100%?
Strictly divide your time for family and time for work.
When you work, give it your best. While when you are with your family, give it your best as well. That is, when you are not working, do not solve work, don't check emails, leave your cell phone with your cell phone. Be with your little partner and give him the quality time he deserves.
Turn housework and cooking into play and entertainment. Involve the smallest members of the household in them. Combine the useful with the pleasant. So clean up with the kids as part of your time together. Thus, you will get real time for yourself and will not experience a model situation: the baby is sleeping, so I go to wash. You can, for example, have that much desired hot coffee!
Create your own rituals, both with children and at work. Make it faster to get into the mode you are experiencing right now.
Build a reliable network of people to help you with your care. It doesn't necessarily have to be a family. With such a network, everything will be easier for you when you return to work. Find a guide who managed your return, so that you have real support. If you don't know where to look, you can get a mentor as part of our parenting no brake mentoring program.
Do not count on the fact that immediately after returning to work it will be at such a pace and dedication as before going to the maternity ward.
And it's fine. Take your time and do not want miracles from each other to wait... Be kind to yourself!”
