heartharmony.com.au

Speak to any parent (particularly any single parent) and if you catch them on an honest day they will tell you that combining parenting and work is not easy…  In fact it is darn hard work. Giving birth was easy compared to everyday life in the average household.

There simply isn’t enough time in the day to fit in all the everyday things you have to do – let alone all the “good parent” things you “should” be doing. If you have a child sick or injured, then life gets even more complex. Throw on top of it aged parent care and the juggling act starts to look like a three ring circus (or in my case the circus is on warp speed).

I spent a number of years as an EEO & Diversity officer (equal employment opportunity) and I have to tell you that work life balance is a total myth. Sometimes work wins – sometimes home wins, but at no time will it ever be perfectly balanced. The best any mortal can hope for is that over a lifetime that things sort of even out.

That’s why one of the most powerful marketing messages you can promise to parents is a simpler, easier life and more time. Parents crave that little bit of breathing space or “me time” in the same way a junkie craves drugs.

That’s why instant meals and take-away food is on the increase. That’s why personal concierges and to do list specialists are booming. That’s why the “short break” out performs long holidays.That’s why workplaces that offer flexible hours have higher morale and more loyal staff than those with rigid policies and inflexible work times.

Parents are some of the most under-rated people on the planet. The best thing you can do with your business marketing is to reinforce that they are doing a good job, help them to reconnect with their inner wisdom and assist them to give themselves a break. Parents are already under enough stress – give them a break and you will create loyal customers.

Until next time

Ingrid Cliff

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Heart Harmony – Freelance Writer