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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.

Table of Contents

  1. Cover
  2. Title Page
  3. Copyright
  4. Dedication
  5. Author's Note
  6. Introduction
    1. Understanding What You Face: Challenges Are Opportunities in Disguise
    2. Understanding the Framework
    3. The Playbook in Three Phases
    4. Notes
  7. Chapter One: Parental Leave Is a Mess—Let's Fix It!
    1. Language Matters: Defining Parental Leave
    2. A Broken System: Parental Leave in the United States
    3. When We Get Parental Leave Wrong
    4. When We Get Parental Leave Right
    5. You Are the Way Forward
    6. Notes
    7. References
  8. Chapter Two: The 10A Transition Touchpoints Framework
    1. The RETAIN Parental Leave Transition Coaching Model
    2. The Three-Phase Parental Leave Transition
    3. From Worker to Parent to Working Parent
    4. Roles and Identity
    5. Routines
    6. Notes
    7. References
  9. PHASE ONE: Preparing for Leave
    1. Chapter Three: Phase 1: Preparing for Leave Overview
    2. The Emotional Passage to Working Parenthood
    3. Don't Expect Others to Have a Plan
    4. Frontload the Work
    5. Chapter Four: Touchpoint 1 Announcement
    6. When It Goes Badly …
    7. When It Goes Well …
    8. Preparing to Announce
    9. Key Elements of a Good Announcement
    10. If You've Already Announced
    11. Ongoing Communication
    12. When Someone Says the Wrong Thing
    13. The Broader Impact of Your Leave
    14. Take the Lead
    15. Notes
    16. References
    17. Chapter Five: Touchpoint 2 Assess
    18. Introducing the 6-S System for Parental Leave Transition Success
    19. Walking Yourself Through the 6-S System for Parental Leave Transition Success
    20. Take Stock
    21. Take Charge
    22. Using Your Assessment Results
    23. Revisiting Your 6-S Assessment
    24. Note
    25. References
    26. Chapter Six: Touchpoint 3 Action Plan
    27. Plan Overview
    28. Plan Elements
    29. Importance of Contingency Planning
    30. Phase 1 Planning: Preparing for Leave
    31. Phase 2 Planning: During Leave
    32. Phase 3 Planning: Returning to Work
    33. Final Thoughts on Planning
    34. Notes
    35. Chapter Seven: Touchpoint 4 Acknowledge the Transition to Parenthood
    36. Inner Work
    37. Letter Writing as Reflection
    38. At Work
    39. The End of Phase 1
    40. Notes
    41. Reference
  10. PHASE TWO: During Leave
    1. Chapter Eight: Phase 2: During Leave Overview
    2. Prepare for All the Feels
    3. Make Connection a Priority
    4. Chapter Nine: Touchpoint 5 Appropriately Keep in Touch
    5. General Considerations for Your Keep in Touch Strategy
    6. Keeping in Touch with Your Personal Support System
    7. Revisiting Your KIT Strategy After Your Child's Arrival
    8. Note
    9. Chapter Ten: Touchpoint 6 Advocate
    10. Having Difficult Conversations
    11. Self-Advocacy at Home
    12. Self-Advocacy at Work
    13. Sample Scripts for Self-Advocacy at Work
    14. Recruiting Others to Advocate for You
    15. Dealing with Unsolicited Advice
    16. Advocate for Others by Providing Feedback on Your Leave Experience
    17. Notes
    18. References
    19. Chapter Eleven: Touchpoint 7 Arrangements for Return
    20. Revising Your Return-to-Work Plan
    21. Return Logistics
    22. Arrangements at Home for Your Return to Work
    23. Arrange for Self-Care
    24. Note
    25. References
  11. PHASE THREE: Returning from Leave
    1. Chapter Twelve: Phase 3: Returning from Leave Overview
    2. Your One Whole Life
    3. Self-Efficacy and Self-Evaluation
    4. Notes
    5. References
    6. Chapter Thirteen: Touchpoint 8 Acknowledge the Transition to Working Parent
    7. You Are New and Improved
    8. Identify Your Shadow Values
    9. Reframing
    10. Another Letter (or Two or Three)
    11. Note
    12. Chapter Fourteen: Touchpoint 9 Adjustment
    13. Identify Your Integration Points
    14. Communication
    15. Adjusting at Home
    16. Adjusting Your Boundaries Instead of Attempting “Balance”
    17. Types of Boundaries
    18. Enlist Boundary Guards
    19. Know Your Boundary Management Style
    20. Boundary Management at Work
    21. Boundary Management at Home
    22. Where Boundary Adjustment May Be Needed
    23. Notes
    24. References
    25. Chapter Fifteen: Touchpoint 10 Access to Career Development
    26. Modern Career Development Models
    27. Parental Leave as a Career Development Opportunity
    28. Career Development Isn't Always a Straight Line
    29. Shifting Between Career Gears: Pedal to the Metal, Downshift, Park
    30. Your Career Need Not Be Your Calling
    31. You Can Always Change Your Mind
    32. The End of Your Transition
    33. Notes
    34. References
  12. Rounding Out the Human Experience
    1. Chapter Sixteen: Additional Challenges and Resources
    2. Systemic Racial Oppression and Bias
    3. Challenges Faced by LGBTQ+ Families
    4. Adoption and/or Fostering
    5. Surrogacy
    6. Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders
    7. Lactation
    8. Infertility and Pregnancy Loss
    9. Infant/Child Loss
    10. Previous Trauma
    11. Other Health Issues for a Birthing Parent
    12. Postpartum Healing
    13. Health Issues for Your Child
    14. Workplace Discrimination
    15. Conclusion
    16. Notes
    17. References
  13. Appendix One: Values Exercise List
  14. Appendix Two: Free Resources from the Center for Parental Leave Leadership
  15. Appendix Three: An Emerging Working Parent Support Ecosystem
    1. Policy Advocacy
    2. Thought Leadership and Practice
    3. Research and Communications
    4. Compliance and Leave Navigation
    5. Parental Health and Wellness
    6. Supporting Services
    7. Funding and Investment
    8. Legal
    9. Conclusion
  16. Appendix Four: Recommended Reading
  17. Acknowledgments
  18. About the Authors
  19. Index
  20. End User License Agreement
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