In honor of National Working Parents' Day, observed annually on September 16th, we're thrilled to spotlight some of our incredible working parents who generously shared their wisdom and experiences. Their advice offers a blend of practical tips and heartfelt insights for juggling the demands of work and home life.
Connect Working Parents & Allies
Our Connect Working Parents & Allies Employee Resource Group (ERG), established in 2022, focuses on driving diversity strategies for working parents, creating a sense of belonging, and providing a space for sharing and building connections.
Recently, the group leaders surveyed our parents to delve into how being a working parent influences both professional and personal goals.
Below, we present key insights and advice from our working parents. Dive in to explore their tried-and-true strategies for achieving a healthy work-life balance! (kid-tested, parent-approved!).
Survey Questions and Responses
1. What's one piece of advice you'd give to new working parents?
Expect to be overwhelmed at times.
Lucy Lehner - VP of Sales - Strategic Accounts, Professional
Remember to give yourself grace. As new parents, we often worry about how others will react to our kids' meltdowns or the need to go home to rest. However, other working parents understand and have been in the same situation too!
Maren Chan - Internal Recruiter, Home Office
Be careful of pushing things off with the kids. Time is a thief, and childhood is over in the blink of an eye.
John Wayert - Delivery Specialist, Professional
Prioritize your family. That being said, work and family are both important. Therefore, make sure that you show up to both at 1000%.
Juliana Calero - Regional Operations Manager, Property Management
2. How do you prioritize self-care while juggling work and parenting responsibilities?
Prioritizing self-care while juggling work and parenting responsibilities often means leaning on your village—those friends, family members, or trusted caregivers who can step in and support you. Don’t hesitate to ask for help, whether it’s someone watching the kids for an hour so you can have a moment to recharge, or simply sharing your challenges with a friend who understands.
Kelsey Bodkins - Delivery Specialist, Professional
3. What’s a small daily ritual or routine that helps you stay connected with your family?
Dinner time = no screen time! We connect as a family and talk about our days; the good and the bad. We love family time, and recently started working out together!
Vanessa Moore - Talent Coordinator, Property Management
I have teen girls, and I saw a video about how time in the car is great for difficult conversations, or any conversations with teenagers as there's no pressure, and no eye contact, which tends to make them feel more comfortable.
Maren Chan - Internal Recruiter, Home Office
We eat dinner together every night and say our "rose" (the best thing that happened) and "thorn" (the worst thing that happened) for the day.
Katie Yeager - Senior Council – Employment Law & Compliance, Home Office
4. How do you involve your kids in understanding and appreciating your work?
If I'm not on a call, I let them come in my office and ask me questions about what I'm doing. Louie (4) has gotten very interested in the colors and shapes I'm using when I design graphics, and I ask him his opinion sometimes. Matilda (2) just likes to sit with me at my desk and play around.
Brittany Berrodin - Marketing Specialist, Home Office
5. What workplace benefits or policies have made the most positive impact on your experience as a working parent?
Paternal Leave and flexible scheduling have been game-changers for managing work and family needs.
Shakti Rajwani - VP of Operations, Professional
Flexibility in my schedule. I love working for a company that allows me to adjust as needed. What has been AMAZING lately is adjusting my start time. My oldest son is now a car rider, and I now have the flexibility to drop him off at school and come to the office afterward.
Vanessa Moore - Talent Coordinator, Property Management
The BGSF family and culture have been my biggest support and resource as a working parent. Having a culture of leaders and co-workers who truly believe that family is important has been refreshing. Having co-workers around me who genuinely show they care and are interested in my life outside the “work” walls helps me get through life just that much easier.
Kim Coleman – Director of Payroll/Billing Services, Home Office
EAP (Employee Assistance Program)
Juliana Calero - Regional Operations Manager, Property Management
Having a flexible schedule and an understanding manager has made my life so much more manageable. When something unexpected happens, like a child's illness or school closing, I am not as stressed knowing that my manager will understand and that I can make up the work time by putting in hours outside the normal workday.
Katie Yeager - Senior Council – Employment Law & Compliance, Home Office
6. How do you handle the unexpected—like a child’s illness or a work deadline—without feeling overwhelmed?
Focus on top priorities and simplify where possible to manage energy and resources effectively.
Lucy Lehner - VP of Sales - Strategic Accounts, Professional
7. Can you share a funny or heartwarming story that captures the essence of being a working parent?
While setting up my new office, my son helped me with the standing desk and cheered me on. It was adorable!
Brittany Berrodin - Marketing Specialist, Home Office
We're proud to have earned The Best Place for Working Parents® designation for the past four years. This recognition reflects the supportive and caring nature of our team and the impactful resources provided by our Working Parents & Allies ERG.
Thank you to all our working parents for their dedication and the valuable contributions they make to our workplace and families every day. Here's to celebrating your remarkable achievements and the balance you strive for!
Supporting our working parents and their families is just one of the ways we demonstrate our commitment to "your future, our purpose." Learn more at BGSF.com.
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