If you’re a parent who works outside of the family, you’re probably familiar with the overwhelm shared by a majority of working parents: going back and forth between two worlds that both ask a lot from you. While many working parents feel deeply fulfilled by embodying two distinct identities, it’s no surprise that the age-old quest for work/life balance continues to spark stress.
Here at BabySparks, where a majority of us are working parents ourselves, it’s important to us to find practical ways to support parents in the workforce – which is why we’ve built a library of hundreds of on-demand and live online classes that you can access on your schedule from the comfort of home.
Below are our team’s 5 favorite online classes for working parents.
1. Going Back to Work After Having a Baby
In this highly-rated class (offered on-demand and live) Sasha Morozov, an MSW who has carved a niche for herself coaching working moms, shares tips for creating simple habits and routines that can transform your life as a working parent.
In Sasha’s words: “In this class, we explore the steps you need to take before and after returning to the workplace. We tackle mindset, the fear-based thoughts you may encounter and, most importantly, provide a framework for success in your new role as ‘working mom’. I help you to take control of this exciting but challenging time, and help you create the schedule, environment, and realistic expectations you need to thrive in this next stage in your life.”
2. How to Balance Work Life, Home Life, and Your Needs Without the Guilt: Finding Sustainable Success for Boss Moms
This on-demand class is taught by pediatrician and American Academy of Pediatrics author Whitney Casares, who says: “Professional moms everywhere describe their experience with one word: conflicted. If they’re great at work, they’re not the mom they want to be. If they’re focused on their kids, their work begins to suffer.
There’s a better way.
In this class you will learn how to: build more efficiency and effectiveness in all aspects of your life; reduce stress and inner conflict, decreasing burnout and increasing fulfillment; get the laundry, bills, and your work to-dos done faster and easier; and develop a sustainable framework for prioritizing self-care, healthy boundaries, and value-based decision-making while managing everything you need to get done at work and at home!”
3. Daycare & Potty Training
Potty training at home is a feat in and of itself. How does daycare fit into the equation? Rest assured that parent coach Laura Lynn LaPointe, who is a potty training and behavior expert, has your back. In this on-demand class, you will learn WHAT and HOW to communicate with your child’s daycare about your potty training plan and the daycare’s involvement in that plan; IF and WHEN to send your child to daycare in underwear; and HOW to teach your child potty training if he or she is in full-time daycare. By the end of this class you will feel more at ease and equipped with potty training your toddler, even if he or she is in full-time daycare!
4. Pumping: Everything You Need to Know
Are you rejoining the workforce and still dedicated to breastfeeding? If so, don’t miss this on-demand class taught by lactation consultant and nutrition expert Theresa Moutafis. She covers everything you need to know about pumping, including how to get started, tips to do it right, and how to confidently get back to work while continuing to feed your baby breastmilk. Not only will you learn what’s ‘normal’ – you’ll be ready to take on pumping with confidence.
If you’re interested in a live pumping class where you can interact with the instructor and get your individual questions answered, you might enjoy these:
Pumping – Ask Me Anything! Taught by Theresa Moutafis
The Breastfeeding Mom Going Back to Work – Taught by Dr. Diana Catalina Sanin Peña
5. Balancing Kids, Work, Life & Everything Else
Join parenting coach Celeste Rushby in this bite-sized yet information-packed on-demand class. Here’s what Celeste has to say: “As parents, we are constantly trying to juggle the many balls of life – work, kids, spouse or partner, errands, housework… and more. But what about taking care of yourself? Is this even possible when you feel like you are dropping other balls already? Join me in discovering practical strategies to find balance and efficiency in your busy life.”
If you’re baffled by baby sleep, daunted by discipline, perturbed with your partner – or facing any other parenting challenge – you can find our entire library of classes here.
