Final Reflections on Maternity Coaching

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Coaching provides essential support for parents as they navigate the transition to parenthood. To fully benefit from this opportunity—whether you’re about to start a coaching program or assisting a colleague through the journey—preparation can be incredibly beneficial.

Let’s Contemplate

Having gained insights into maternity coaching and its potential benefits for yourself, your colleagues, or your direct reports, it’s time to think about how to turn these benefits into actionable steps. To achieve this, reflecting on the actions you can take to maximize the coaching opportunities ahead can be very useful.

To complete this exercise, locate the section below that is relevant to you and consider the following questions.

For Expecting Parents

  1. What goals do you wish to accomplish through coaching?
  2. How do you envision balancing your professional duties with your parenting responsibilities?
  3. What personal strengths can help you manage the transition to parenthood?
  4. How can you collaborate with your coach to ensure this coaching experience meets your specific needs?
  5. What steps do you need to take to ensure the success of your coaching journey?

For Managers Supporting Team Members Starting Maternity Coaching

  1. What approach could you take to engage with employees and colleagues who are mothers to better understand their specific needs, challenges, and viewpoints?
  2. How does maternity coaching align with a broader organizational strategy focused on creating a more inclusive environment for parents?
  3. In what ways are you fostering flexibility to meet the needs of working mothers?
  4. How might you confront any biases that could impact your report’s professional development?
  5. How can your influence further assist working parents within the organization? (Consider aspects like parental leave policies, support networks, and available resources.)

Moving Forward

These reflective questions are designed for self-exploration and to encourage discussion. You can utilize your insights to delve deeper into your thoughts—with your coach, a trusted colleague, or through personal reflection—and determine your next steps.