Missing a parents’ evening, rushing to make it to the school gates on time, or constantly juggling competing schedules. For many parents, it is all part of the daily challenge of balancing work and family life. And that search for balance can also have an impact in the workplace. Stress, fatigue and feelings of guilt rarely stay confined to home life. They can affect concentration, engagement and long-term performance at work.
In a new video podcast from My Mind Premium, AG’s comprehensive well-being service, Peter Adriaenssens, one of Belgium’s leading parenting and family experts, explores the pressures faced by working parents. Drawing on decades of experience, he shares insights into the expectations we place on ourselves, the pitfalls of perfectionism, and the challenge of finding a realistic balance between work, family life and personal well-being.
Watch the teaser of the video podcast:
The full episode is available exclusively via My Mind Premium by AG.
A challenge faced by almost every organisation
More than nine in ten parents are active in the labour market, and in almost two thirds of families both partners work.¹ As a result, the challenge of combining work and parenthood plays out in virtually every organisation. Research also shows that one in three working parents regularly misses family activities because of work commitments.¹
The challenges parents face at home do not stop at the workplace door. A child falling ill on the day of an important deadline, unexpected childcare issues, or the constant feeling of never quite doing enough are situations many of your employees are likely to recognise. And they can have a significant impact on mental well-being.
High expectations, little breathing space
According to psychiatrist Peter Adriaenssens, today’s parents face a different kind of pressure than previous generations. Not only have work and family life become increasingly intertwined, but expectations of parents have also risen considerably.
Through social media, experts, podcasts, books and online advice, parents are constantly exposed to ideas about what "good parenting" should look like. While this can be inspiring, it can also fuel uncertainty and perfectionism. As a result, many parents feel under pressure to excel in every aspect of life: at work, at home, in their relationships and as parents.
In some cases, this ongoing pressure can even lead to parental burnout. Belgian researchers estimate that around 7% of parents experience it.² But even without reaching the point of burnout, many parents regularly struggle with stress, mental overload and feelings of guilt that take a toll on their well-being.
What will your employees take away from this podcast?
What can you do as an employer?
Employers cannot solve the challenges of family life. They can, however, help create an environment in which employees feel able to balance work and personal life in a healthy and sustainable way.
A few practical suggestions:
- Make flexibility part of the conversation. Not every employee is at the same stage of life or has the same family circumstances.
- Support managers. They play a crucial role in recognising signs of overload and facilitating open conversations.
- Give employees the space to set boundaries. People who feel they must always be available are at greater risk of overload.
- Signpost available support. Access to reliable information, preventive guidance and well-being tools can make a real difference.
Research shows that parents who feel sufficiently supported are more likely to consider the combination of work and family life manageable.¹
Make mental well-being a lasting priority
Supporting employees does not always require large-scale or complex initiatives. Access to reliable information and professional support can also make a meaningful difference.
Thanks to the supplementary pension and/or healthcare solutions you have taken out with AG, your employees automatically have access to My Mind by AG. Through this service, you provide them with scientifically validated tools, a mental resilience assessment and professional well-being support, all easily accessible through the MyAG Employee Benefits app.
Would you like to go one step further as an employer? That is exactly what My Mind Premium provides. Through inspiring video podcasts, evidence-based programmes, practical tools and professional guidance, employees gain access to support and insights on topics such as stress, resilience, sleep, relationships and mental health.
Would you like to support your employees with challenges that affect them both in and outside the workplace?
Want to know more about our well-being offer?
Your regular contact at AG Employee Benefits & Health Care will be happy to help.
Peter Adriaenssens is a renowned Belgian child and adolescent psychiatrist, trauma therapist and author. Over the course of his career, he was affiliated with UZ Leuven and KU Leuven, and has written numerous books on parenting, young people and mental health. Drawing on decades of clinical experience, he offers a warm and nuanced perspective on the challenges facing children, young people and parents today.