Parenthood and Work: How to Ask for Support — and Thrive
- Mafalda Novo
- Nov 12, 2025
- 2 min read
Becoming a parent is transformative.
In the beginning of 2025, I surveyed over 100 parents about their experience juggling work and family.
Key findings reveal the depth of the emotional, practical, and professional adjustments parents face: identity shifts, emotional stress, and work-life tension.
The good news?
You can ask for support proactively and create a sustainable balance between parenting and work.
What Parents Feel
Identity shifts: Who am I now?
Emotional highs and lows: joy, guilt, overwhelm
Pressure to perform at work while adjusting to new home responsibilities
Isolation: feeling misunderstood by colleagues or managers
Common Concerns & How to Address Them
1. Child’s Health & Emotional Well-being
Request flexible hours or remote days for appointments
Access coaching to manage stress and emotional load (mafaldanovo.com)
2. Financial & Career Progression
Negotiate phased returns or part-time schedules
Discuss career mapping post-childbirth with your manager
3. Transition to New Role & Responsibilities
Request workshops or peer support for returning parents (https://www.mafaldanovo.com/corporateservices)
Consider one-on-one coaching to rebuild confidence and plan your career path (https://www.mafaldanovo.com/individualservices)
4. Work-Life Balance & Mental Load
Ask for clear expectations and protected time for family
Use coaching to establish boundaries and time-management strategies
5. Return-to-Work Anxiety
Phased return, refresher training, buddy or mentor programs
Coaching to process separation anxiety, guilt, and identity shifts
Practical Requests to Make to Employers
Flexible start/finish times or compressed hours
Remote working days
Phased or part-time return
Regular well-being check-ins
Access to coaching and parental support programmes (https://www.mafaldanovo.com/corporateservices)
Internal peer-support groups
Emergency childcare leave
Transparent career progression discussions
How Coaching Can Support You
“Embracing Motherhood” – 12 sessions supporting the journey from pregnancy, early parenthood, to return-to-work (https://www.mafaldanovo.com/embracingmotherhood)
“Rediscovering You” – 3-session intensive for reconnecting with yourself and balancing career and parenting (https://www.mafaldanovo.com/rediscoveringyou)
These programmes provide emotional clarity, resilience-building tools, practical strategies to navigate mum guilt and perfectionism, support for establishing nourishing routines, and guidance to reclaim confidence, boundaries, and a renewed sense of identity — helping you thrive both at home and in your return to work.
Parenthood doesn’t mean sacrificing your career or well-being.
With proactive communication, support systems, and professional guidance, you can navigate this transition confidently.
Book a discovery session today at mafaldanovo.com to explore coaching tailored to your parenting journey.
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