I am honoured to share this story with you today from working mother Gemma Bateson. She has been incredibly honest and brave and I know her story will help so many others navigating the transition to parenthood. 

One of the biggest takeaways for me is the advice to stop pretending. It doesn’t do you or anyone else any favours to pretend that you’re managing and being the perfect parent AND employee. Be honest, get the help and support you need, and you will perform better and be happier at work and at home! 

If you would like to share your feedback with Gemma, please email me at [email protected] and I will pass it on. You can also leave a comment on any of our social media channels. 

Here’s Gemma’s story… 

What was your biggest fear about work when you found out you were expecting and how did you overcome it?

My biggest fear was losing hard won ground in terms of my career progression. I was worried that someone might do...

The last few months during lockdown have been life-changing, and we do not say this lightly. For working parents, it has been both a challenging and enlightening experience. 

There has been a lot of much deserved praise and appreciation given to the key workers who kept us fed, nursed those who were sick, and provided essential care during this time. 

But we have even more to be grateful for as working parents. 

Side note: We are painfully aware that not all of these thanks are owed by some working parents, but this is a positive article about the things many of us are grateful for. If you have a comment you’d like to share about your personal experience (good or bad) please email [email protected]. 

To our children…

You have proven that young people really are the most resilient of us all. We underestimated you. Your lives were turned upside down, you could no longer see your friends or close relatives, and there was a lot to be fearful...