Building Resilience: Help Your Children Embrace Your Working Parent Journey
"Children must be taught how to think, not what to think." - Margaret Mead
Last week, my heart melted when a client shared her 6-year-old's drawing of her 'mummy's important work meeting.' The stick figure had a cape and a crown, showing how our children can view our work life through magical eyes when we help them understand it properly.
The Power of Open Conversations
As a working parent coach, I've seen how honest discussions about work can transform family dynamics. Children are naturally curious about what their parents do all day. Let's turn that curiosity into understanding.
Start with Simple Explanations
Think about how you'd explain your job to a friend's child. Keep it simple and relatable:
"I help people solve problems"
"I make things work better"
"I teach others new skills"
Your explanation doesn't need fancy terms. Use examples from their world to make connections.
Making Work Life Visible
Through my parent coaching for mums, I've discovered effective ways to bring work-life home:
Show and Tell Moments
Share appropriate work photos
Explain your video calls
Display your workspace
Talk about your colleagues
These visual elements help children create positive associations with your work.
Creating Positive Associations
"Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up."
Help your children see the bright side of having a working parent:
The Benefits They Gain
Learning independence
Understanding responsibility
Developing problem-solving skills
Building their own resilience
I often tell my parent coaching clients that children learn more from watching us navigate challenges than from seeing perfect solutions.
Handling Difficult Moments
Every working parent faces tough situations. Here's how to turn them into teaching moments:
Missing Events
Acknowledge their feelings
Plan special make-up time
Create new traditions
Find creative ways to be present
Long Days
Leave surprise notes
Schedule video check-ins
Create bedtime rituals
Share highlight moments
Building Their Support System
As your working parent coach, I recommend helping children identify their support network:
Key People Who Help
Other family members
Trusted caregivers
Teachers and friends
Emergency contacts
Explain how this team makes your work possible and keeps them safe.
Age-Appropriate Understanding
Different ages need different approaches:
Toddlers (2-4 years)
Use play to explain work
Keep explanations simple
Focus on routines
Celebrate reunions
Primary School (5-11 years)
Share more details
Involve them in planning
Discuss time management
Answer their questions
Teenagers
Talk about career choices
Share work challenges
Discuss work-life balance
Ask their opinions
Creating Special Rituals
"The little moments aren't little." - Unknown
As a parent coach near you, I encourage families to create unique traditions:
Morning Moments
Special breakfast times
Quick cuddle routines
Sharing daily plans
Morning high-fives
Evening Connections
Dinner table sharing
Bedtime stories
Gratitude practices
Tomorrow planning
Technology as a Bridge
Use technology wisely to stay connected:
Positive Tech Tools
Quick voice messages
Digital photo sharing
Video call check-ins
Family chat groups
Planning for Success
Every working parent needs a solid plan:
Regular Family Meetings
Share upcoming events
Discuss changes
Plan special time
Address concerns
Emergency Protocols
Clear instructions
Contact lists
Backup plans
Comfort items
"Your children will become what you are; so be what you want them to be." - David Bly
Need Support on Your Journey?
As your working parent coach, I offer:
Family communication strategies
Age-appropriate explanation techniques
Practical resilience-building tools
Personalised family planning
Ready to help your children thrive with a working parent?
Book your parent coaching session today and let's create your family's resilience roadmap together.
