The Parental Leave Playbook: 10 Touchpoints to Transition Smoothly, Strengthen Your Family, and Continue Building your Career

Description

Support your growing family without losing professional ground―a proven approach The Parental Leave Playbook helps parents take control of their leave and make the most of what's considered a career timeout, but is actually a vital "time-in" for your life. If you're an expecting or new parent concerned about how your leave and return plans will affect your visibility, candidacy for promotion, work relationships, and performance (not to mention your identity and home life), this book will guide you into the smoothest transition possible. Most importantly, this book will help you as you grow and strengthen yourself and your family while remaining a professional. In The Parental Leave Playbook, you'll learn Dr. Amy Beacom's innovative R.E.T.A.I.N. framework and the three-phase, ten-touchpoint model, to coach yourself through the leave process. Beacom identifies the critical points before, during, and after leave where parents and managers must work together, and explains how parents can facilitate success by finessing the way they approach their manager and colleagues. These models are supported by case studies from the author's work in the field with leading organizations like Microsoft, and supplemented by resources such as the evidence-based Parental Leave Transition Assessment (PLTA) sample report, leave action plan templates, reflection prompts, and development exercises to enhance self-awareness and skills. You'll learn how to: Communicate your parental leave plans effectively and at the right time Set expectations with managers and colleagues to ensure a smooth transition Learn how to maintain visibility, avoid being replaced, and continue your upward career trajectory during your parental leave and beyond Grow and strengthen your family without sacrificing your professional gains All working parents-to-be can benefit from the ideas and proven tools in this direct and practical book. Cover Title Page Copyright Page Contents Author’s Note Introduction Understanding What You Face: Challenges Are Opportunities in Disguise Understanding the Framework The Playbook in Three Phases Chapter 1 Parental Leave Is a Mess—Let’s Fix It! Language Matters: Defining Parental Leave A Broken System: Parental Leave in the United States When We Get Parental Leave Wrong When We Get Parental Leave Right You Are the Way Forward Chapter 2 The 10A Transition Touchpoints Framework The RETAIN Parental Leave Transition Coaching Model The Three-Phase Parental Leave Transition From Worker to Parent to Working Parent Roles and Identity Routines Phase 1 Preparing for Leave***Work Focus Chapter 3 Phase 1: Preparing for Leave Overview The Emotional Passage to Working Parenthood Don’t Expect Others to Have a Plan Frontload the Work Chapter 4 Touchpoint 1Announcement When It Goes Badly . . . When It Goes Well . . . Preparing to Announce Key Elements of a Good Announcement If You’ve Already Announced Ongoing Communication When Someone Says the Wrong Thing The Broader Impact of Your Leave Take the Lead Chapter 5 Touchpoint 2Assess Introducing the 6-S System for Parental Leave Transition Success Walking Yourself Through the 6-S System for Parental Leave Transition Success Take Stock Take Charge Using Your Assessment Results Revisiting Your 6-S Assessment Chapter 6 Touchpoint 3 Action Plan Plan Overview Plan Elements Importance of Contingency Planning Phase 1 Planning: Preparing for Leave Phase 2 Planning: During Leave Phase 3 Planning: Returning to Work Final Thoughts on Planning Chapter 7 Touchpoint 4 Acknowledge the Transition to Parenthood Inner Work Letter Writing as Reflection At Work The End of Phase 1 Phase 2 During Leave***Parent Focus Chapter 8 Phase 2: During Leave Overview Prepare for All the Feels Make Connection a Priority Chapter 9 Touchpoint 5 Appropriately Keep in Touch Keeping in Touch with Your Personal Support System Revisiting Your KIT Strategy After Your Child’s Arrival Chapter 10 Touchpoint 6 Advocate Having Difficult Conversations Self-Advocacy at Home Self-Advocacy at Work Recruiting Others to Advocate for You Dealing with Unsolicited Advice Advocate for Others by Providing Feedback on Your Leave Experience Chapter 11 Touchpoint 7 Arrangements for Return Revising Your Return-to-Work Plan Return Logistics Arrangements at Home for Your Return to Work Arrange for Self-Care Phase 3 Returning from Leave***Working Parent Focus Chapter 12 Phase 3: Returning from Leave Overview Your One Whole Life Self-Efficacy and Self-Evaluation Chapter 13 Touchpoint 8 Acknowledge the Transition to Working Parent You Are New and Improved Identify Your Shadow Values Reframing Another Letter (or Two or Three) Chapter 14 Touchpoint 9 Adjustment Identify Your Integration Points Communication Adjusting at Home Adjusting Your Boundaries Instead of Attempting “Balance” Types of Boundaries Enlist Boundary Guards Know Your Boundary Management Style Boundary Management at Work Boundary Management at Home Where Boundary Adjustment May Be Needed Chapter 15 Touchpoint 10 Access to Career Development Modern Career Development Models Parental Leave as a Career Development Opportunity Career Development Isn’t Always a Straight Line Shifting Between Career Gears: Pedal to the Metal, Downshift, Park Your Career Need Not Be Your Calling You Can Always Change Your Mind The End of Your Transition Rounding Out the Human Experience*** Chapter 16 Additional Challenges and Resources Systemic Racial Oppression and Bias Challenges Faced by LGBTQ+ Families Adoption and/or Fostering Surrogacy Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders Lactation Infertility and Pregnancy Loss Infant/Child Loss Previous Trauma Other Health Issues for a Birthing Parent Postpartum Healing Health Issues for Your Child Workplace Discrimination Conclusion Appendix One Values Exercise List Appendix Two Free Resources from the Center for Parental Leave Leadership Appendix Three An Emerging Working Parent Support Ecosystem Policy Advocacy Thought Leadership and Practice Research and Communications Compliance and Leave Navigation Parental Health and Wellness Supporting Services Funding and Investment Legal Conclusion Appendix Four Recommended Reading Endnotes and General References Acknowledgments About the Authors Index EULA