RWE's parental leave coaching supports employees with all relevant questions and decisions relating to their parental leave and return to work. Jeannine took advantage of this offer and shares insights into the challenges that the coaching helped her overcome as a working parent.
Jeannine, what is your current role at RWE and what led you to parental leave coaching?
I currently work in Training, Learning & Development and decided to take part in the coaching because parental leave was not only a personal change for me, but also a professional one. The challenge of balancing work and family life raised many questions: How do I plan my return to work? What expectations do I have of myself and which ones are realistic? How can I actively shape my working day without my family suffering as a result? I wanted to work on these issues consciously, rather than being driven by external circumstances. Coaching offered me the perfect framework to reflect consciously on my role as a working parent and to plan my next steps with clarity.
How did coaching support you during your parental leave or your return to work?
Coaching helped me in many ways. During parental leave, there were moments when I was unsure about how my professional future would develop. Coaching helped me to sort out my thoughts and reset my professional and personal priorities. The opportunity to strategically plan my return was particularly valuable to me – whether through clear communication with my employer, developing realistic expectations or finding new working structures that made the transition easier for me.
The exchange with other parents who had similar challenges was also very enriching for me. Hearing that many people experience similar thoughts and uncertainties gave me courage and showed me that I am not alone with my concerns.
Were there any particular challenges where coaching was particularly helpful?
Yes, definitely! One of the biggest challenges for me was finding my way back into my professional role after parental leave. I knew that a lot could have changed during my absence and wanted to return well prepared and confident. The coaching helped me to recognise my strengths, actively shape my return and find a balance between family and career.
The coaching helped me to strengthen my self-confidence and realise what strengths and experiences I bring to the table – including those gained during my parental leave! I learned to set realistic expectations for myself, but also to clearly articulate what I need in order to do my job well.
Another big issue was time management. Everyday life with a child is often unpredictable, and I had to learn to think more flexibly, set priorities and not take on too much at once. The coaching showed me helpful strategies for coping with this better.
What changes have you noticed in your life as a result of the coaching?
The coaching has changed my attitude towards my professional role. I have learned to put less pressure on myself and to trust more in my ability to handle my professional and private tasks well.
Specifically, I have developed some routines that help me structure my day better. I plan my tasks more consciously, set realistic priorities and make sure to draw clear boundaries between work time and family time.
Another important point was communication – with my partner, my employer and also with myself. I have become more open about expressing my needs clearly and accepting help when necessary. This has not only made my everyday life easier, but also increased my satisfaction.
What tips or advice from the coaching would you like to pass on to others who are interested?
The coaching has given me some valuable insights that I would like to pass on:
1. Think about returning to work early on: It helps immensely to consciously think about returning to work while you are on parental leave – whether in the form of discussions with your employer, small professional updates or by thinking about how you would like to work.
2. Clear communication with your employer and those around you: Talking openly about your needs, wishes and possible challenges can prevent misunderstandings and help you achieve a better work-life balance.
3. Remain flexible and accept support: Everyday life with children often brings the unexpected. It helps to remain flexible so you don't get stressed – and, above all, to accept help, whether from family, friends or colleagues.
The coaching helped me not only to understand all these points in theory, but also to integrate them into my everyday life. I would recommend it to anyone facing a similar challenge.
