"Parenthood is a journey that nothing can truly prepare you for, but it has fuelled my passion for being a caring and active parent."

As Executive Sponsor of THG's Parents Network, Matt shares his experiences and insights on balancing a career and parenthood, adapting to new challenges, making sacrifices, and supporting fellow working parents.

A Renewed Purpose 

I've always been deeply committed to my career, striving for excellence in everything I do. Becoming a dad brought a profound change in my life. My children became the centre of my world, giving me a renewed purpose and a new reason to strive for excellence. Parenthood is a journey that nothing can truly prepare you for, but it has fuelled my passion for being a caring and active parent. 

Adapting to New Challenges 

When I became a parent, I had to adapt my work routine to meet the demands of both my job and my family. This didn’t change my dedication to my work; instead, it made me more disciplined. Like all working parents, I had to find a way to balance work and family life. This often meant leaving the office at set times to pick up my kids from after-school clubs and ensuring they got to their evening activities on time. It can be relentless, but you find a way to make it work. 

Making Sacrifices 

One of the biggest realisations for me as a working parent was the need to make sacrifices to maintain balance. My personal sacrifice has been seeing friends less frequently, as my kids, partner, and work come first. When I don’t have my children, I try to find time for myself, such as going to the gym in the morning to set a positive tone for the day. I also tend to socialise less during the week due to the demands of my job. However, I never miss important events like school productions, parents’ evenings, or sports days. I make sure to flex my work schedule around these significant moments for my children. 

Advice for Working Parents 

To all working parents, my advice is to identify what you can sacrifice to find the right balance. Lean on your support network for help. I’m fortunate to have my dad pick up my children once a month on Fridays because they don’t enjoy after-school club on that day. I also share drop-off and pick-up duties for football club with another parent. Building relationships with those in similar situations can be incredibly beneficial. 

Supporting THG Parents Network 

I decided to become the Executive Sponsor for the THG Parents Network because, as a single dad, I understand the challenges of juggling a career and parenthood. THG is a busy place with demanding jobs, but as Exec sponsor I want to be a voice for parents trying to achieve at home and at work. Something that I’m particularly proud of is working with colleagues in the network to gather feedback from parents returning from maternity leave. Together, we made significant improvements to our facilities, including creating a dedicated room at our head office for expressing milk. This comfortable environment allows parents to work alongside expressing, promoting an inclusive workplace. 

Balancing work and parenthood is a challenging yet rewarding journey. By making small changes and leaning on our support networks, we can create an inclusive environment that allows us to excel in both our careers and our roles as parents.