Achieving a balance between career aspirations and parenthood is a complex and often challenging journey. The demands of a thriving career and the responsibilities of raising children can sometimes feel overwhelming. However, evidence-based counselling techniques offer valuable tools and strategies to help clients navigate this delicate balance successfully. In this blog post, we'll explore how evidence-based counselling techniques can empower clients to find a balance between their professional ambitions and their roles as parents.
Understanding the Challenge:
Balancing a career and parenthood is a challenge that encompasses time management, stress management, effective communication, and boundary setting. Many parents struggle to prioritise their responsibilities, manage competing demands, and maintain their overall well-being amidst the complexities of modern life. Evidence-based counselling techniques provide a structured and evidence-based approach to address these challenges and support clients in achieving a sustainable balance.
Most Australian parents combine raising children with paid work. The latest HILDA Survey of households shows that in 2017 both parents are working in more than two thirds (68 per cent) of couples with children aged under 18, and that more than half (56 per cent) of single parents are also working.
The HILDA Survey follows the lives of more than 17,000 Australians each year.
It collects information on many aspects of life in Australia, including household and family relationships, income and employment, and health and education.
Participants are followed over the course of their lifetime.
HILDA is the only study of its kind in Australia.
We know balancing work and family commitments isn’t always easy, so each year the HILDA Survey asks parents caring for children about how well the demands from their job are fitting in with their family life. This study found that high levels of what we call ‘work-family conflict’ are widespread among Australian parents.
In more than half of dual-earner couple families (59 per cent), at least one parent experiences high work-family conflict. And in 18 per cent of these families, both parents are reporting high levels of conflict between work and family. When we look at the raw numbers, fathers have higher levels of work-family conflict than mothers – in 2017, their score averaged 3.9, compared to mothers averaging 3.7. A score above four indicates a high level of conflict.
High child care costs are another factor putting working parents under pressure.
Since 2001, median out-of-pocket costs for formal care for children not yet at school have increased by 145 per cent to reach $A153 a week in 2017. And while this is in part due to parents using more hours of care, there’s no doubt that hourly costs have also increased considerably. Not surprisingly then, in 2017 almost half of parents with a child aged four or younger who used, or thought about using, child care reported difficulty with paying for it.
But costs aren’t the only challenge for parents seeking child care. A third of parents reported difficulties finding care at short notice, and over a third (35 per cent) struggled to find care for a sick child.
Work-family conflict can have a range of negative consequences. It has been shown to be associated with reduced well-being at home, as well as lower well-being and productivity at work.
Evidence-Based Counselling Techniques
Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT): CBT is a widely researched and effective therapeutic approach for managing stress, anxiety, and depression. In the context of balancing career and parenthood, CBT can help clients identify and challenge negative thought patterns and develop healthier coping strategies. By reframing unhelpful beliefs and practicing relaxation techniques, clients can better manage stressors and maintain a positive outlook despite life's challenges.
Solution-Focused Therapy (SFT): Solution-focused therapy focuses on identifying and amplifying clients' strengths and resources to achieve their goals. In the context of balancing career and parenthood, SFT can help clients identify practical solutions and actionable steps to address specific challenges. By focusing on solutions rather than dwelling on problems, clients can feel empowered to make positive changes and navigate their responsibilities more effectively.
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR): Mindfulness-based stress reduction is a mindfulness-based intervention that emphasizes present-moment awareness and non-judgmental acceptance. MBSR can help clients cultivate greater self-awareness, emotional regulation, and resilience. By practicing mindfulness meditation and incorporating mindfulness techniques into daily life, working parents can reduce stress, enhance their well-being, and approach challenges with greater clarity and composure.
Time Management Skills Training: Effective time management is essential for balancing career and parenthood. Counselling can provide clients with practical strategies and tools to optimise their time, prioritise tasks, and set realistic goals. By implementing time management techniques such as task prioritisation, scheduling, and delegation, clients can maximize productivity, reduce procrastination, and create space for both work and family commitments.
Communication and Conflict Resolution Skills: Effective communication and conflict resolution skills are crucial for maintaining healthy relationships both at work and at home. Counselling can help clients develop assertive communication skills, active listening skills, and conflict resolution strategies. By improving communication with partners, colleagues, and supervisors, clients can clarify expectations, set boundaries, and negotiate mutually beneficial solutions to conflicts. Balancing career and parenthood is a challenging yet achievable feat with the support of evidence-based counselling techniques. By utilising approaches such as cognitive-behavioural therapy, solution-focused therapy, mindfulness-based stress reduction, time management skills training, and communication skills development, clients can navigate the complexities of modern life with greater resilience, confidence, and satisfaction. If you're struggling to find balance between your career and parenthood, consider seeking support from a qualified counsellor who can provide tailored strategies and guidance to help you thrive in both domains. Contact Carly at Thrive Counselling Solutions Adelaide for more information on work life balance counselling.
References
'Work or Family?' By Dr Inga Lass, University of Melbourne, July 2019 Published in Inside Business
The Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia (HILDA) Survey 2017
Comments