Rachel MacDonald Rachel MacDonald

Family First

I think all Mothers will resonate with Erin Hogan's sentiment:

"Transitioning back to the workforce following maternity leave has been a journey defined by distinct experiences, each presenting its own set of challenges and opportunities for growth."

Erin graciously opens up about her journey, shedding light on the nuances of returning to work, setting family values, and navigating the complexities of parenthood:

"Mum guilt, along with the guilt of being a dog mum, partner, friend, family member, and employee, is something I constantly grapple with."

Her candid insights offer valuable lessons for working parents everywhere, emphasising the importance of resilience, self-compassion, and finding balance amidst life's demands.

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Rachel MacDonald Rachel MacDonald

Solo Balancing Act: Sarah Purches takes us inside her new world.

Stepping back into the hustle after maternity leave is like entering a whirlwind - especially when you're flying solo as a parent.

Meet Sarah Purches, the epitome of resilience. Her openness and honesty pave the way for a conversation on the realities and joys of solo parenthood:

"Learning to ask for help was crucial, though it came with its own set of guilt. As we continue to navigate this balancing act, prioritising both my son's needs and my own well-being remains a work in progress."

Sarah also reveals "One of the biggest [strengths] is not caring what others think - more importantly the ones who don’t matter."

This empowering mindset resonates deeply, echoing the resilience and determination she embodies.

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Rachel MacDonald Rachel MacDonald

My Parenting Journey to Leadership: Kellie Laguzza

Meet Kellie Laguzza, a dedicated mother of three and seasoned manager, whose experiences offer profound insights into the transformative power of parenthood in shaping effective leadership.

Kellie graciously shares her journey, offering pearls of wisdom for both working parents and their leaders alike.

Kellie's journey highlights the importance of empathy, communication, and authenticity in leadership. Her story serves as a reminder that amidst the chaos of modern life, there's immense power in embracing our vulnerabilities and nurturing genuine connections.

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Rachel MacDonald Rachel MacDonald

Redefining Gender Roles & Career Breaks IRL

"I wanted to be at a level where a career break wasn't a handbrake on my career, for women, deciding when to pause their careers is one of the most challenging decisions."

Meet Monique Purcell, a dynamic professional, devoted parent, and trailblazer in reshaping traditional gender dynamics with her husband.

In their household, Monique focuses on providing for her family financially while her husband assumes the role of primary caregiver.

Her wisdom will undoubtedly resonate with you.

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Rachel MacDonald Rachel MacDonald

Parenthood and Leadership; not too dissimilar: A Conversation with Ryan Kelly

Ryan Kelly is charting a course with Purpose and Panache.

In our captivating conversation, Ryan, the brilliant mind behind Creative Natives, discusses the striking parallels of parenthood and leadership, uncovering remarkable insights that will resonate with both people leaders and parents alike.

In a world hungry for progress and inclusivity, Ryan dares you to reimagine parenthood and leadership.

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Rachel MacDonald Rachel MacDonald

A Guide to Prepare for Parental Leave

Are you preparing for the whirlwind of parenthood in 2024?

Congratulations on growing your family🤰

Transitioning from the world of work and play to the world of work, play, and babies can sometimes feel overwhelming.

But fear not, we're here to lend a helping hand!

Introducing our essential guide: "Preparing for Parental Leave."

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Rachel MacDonald Rachel MacDonald

Fatherhood in Focus: Priorities and Growth

👨‍💼 Meet Conor Bell: A dedicated father, loving husband, and sales professional who deftly balances the demands of family life with his career aspirations.

In Conor's compelling journey, you'll discover:
🔍 Aligning with Supportive Employers
🤝 The Power of Communication
⏳ Embracing Patience
💼 Employer Support Matters

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Rachel MacDonald Rachel MacDonald

A Cheatsheet on Creating Equilibrium on the Home Front

As a working parent, navigating the complexities of the mental load can be overwhelming – those unseen responsibilities that weigh heavily on your shoulders!

This cheat sheet is here to empower you with actionable strategies to foster harmony between your professional aspirations and personal obligations.

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Rachel MacDonald Rachel MacDonald

Breaking Free - Living Big & Celebrating Life

Ever find yourself juggling the various hats life hands you parent, employee, partner, daughter/son, friend?

Ever feel like you're giving your all … but falling short at them all? You're not alone!

Too many of us are familiar with this struggle. Introducing Ivan McAdam O’Connell, who on his departure from the corporate world, uncovered the true meaning of time freedom - It's the key that unlocks other freedoms like location independence and stronger relationships.

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Rachel MacDonald Rachel MacDonald

Parenting with Purpose & Perspective

A beacon of inspiration in the realm of working smarter and on one's own terms!

In part two, Tina Paterson shares her invaluable lessons in adaptability, resilience, and the pursuit of purpose.

While giving us her 3 key focuses to balance career aspirations with family commitments:

👉Building a supportive network
👉Prioritising your well-being
👉Making smart transactions with you time

She also gives us a look into the REAL WORLD of parenting and the lessons it gives us (we are all human after all 😁)

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Rachel MacDonald Rachel MacDonald

Parenting Wisdom: No Rules, Just Your Path

Imagine being pregnant and getting offered a top executive role. Sounds like a dream, right?

For Sarah Novelli, it was a reality. Thanks to a supportive CEO who believed in her abilities.

Sarah stepped into the unknown.

In our chat Sarah shares how crucial it is for women to back themselves and not shy away from opportunities that seem 'too senior.'

It's all about taking the plunge and having someone say, "I believe you can do this.”

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Rachel MacDonald Rachel MacDonald

Three Phases of Parenthood & Career

Ever wondered how to balance your booming career amongst the whirlwind o parenthood?

Let me introduce the incredible Tina Paterson, the mastermind behind Outcomes Over Hours.

“Success in balancing career and parenthood lies in defining your own path, being open to change, and always being available to support your children.”

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Rachel MacDonald Rachel MacDonald

Collective Wisdom from 2023's Parental Voices

In 2023 I had the privilege of interviewing working parents across Australia, each sharing their unique stories of navigating working parenthood.

The resounding challenge echoed in these conversations was the delicate equilibrium required to synchronise the cadence of work and family life.

If you find yourself chasing that elusive equilibrium within your household, here's a distilled guide to set you on the path.

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Rachel MacDonald Rachel MacDonald

Lessons in Parenting a Decade of Sisters

Who knew parenting two sisters could be such a rollercoaster ride?!

From the moment I was a Mum-of-two to today, they've been like 'yin and yang', teaching me invaluable lessons about celebrating uniqueness and navigating the beautiful chaos of sisterhood. It's been a crash course in parenting styles and a masterclass in celebrating individuality!

And like any parenting adventure, I wouldn't trade for the world! Curious about the lessons I've learned along the way…

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Rachel MacDonald Rachel MacDonald

Unwrapping Sanity - A Parents Guide to Dodging Holiday Burnout.

Ahhh, the holiday season is calling 🎄 And so are the million questions and decisions that come with it for us Parents.

🌟 How can I ensure a magical Christmas without overspending and staying within our budget? 🌟Are our travel arrangements all done? 🌟Are we splitting our time fairly between family gatherings? 🌟Who is on the gift list? 🌟 Have I remembered everyone? 🌟Are we sending Christmas cards this year?!

As the festive buzz builds and the checklist seems to expand faster than Santa's naughty list, don't let BURNOUT steal your joy.
🔔🎄🎅

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Rachel MacDonald Rachel MacDonald

Harmonising Work and Family Life

Last week, Ben's perspective illuminated a revolutionary shift—one that beckons us to challenge the conventional compartmentalisation of work and family.

Instead of viewing them as adversaries in a relentless tug-of-war for our time and attention, Ben advocates for a beautiful integration.

For parents aspiring to embrace such a philosophy, here are some insights I've gathered, to help you seamlessly blend these two realms within your own household:

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Rachel MacDonald Rachel MacDonald

Ben's Open Approach to Work-Family Equilibrium

In a world of career-family juggling, Ben's open approach to work-family balance is worth exploring. He dismantles the idea of work and family as separate entities, emphasising their complete interweaving. 🙌

A peek into Ben’s approach:

- Open communication

- proactive planning

- and embracing downtime to create stronger family bonds and improve professional life.

Enjoy learning from Ben’s journey and get a whole new perspective on the work life juggle

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Rachel MacDonald Rachel MacDonald

Parenting Lessons from the Road

🗓️ 38 days

🛣️ over 6600 kilometers

🚙 over 115 hours of driving by my husband

🚸 over 570 hours of non-stop parenting

The memories we've created are priceless!

And the fresh perspective it’s given us on our family dynamic has been enlightening.

Check out my personal takeaways from the road so far.

All of which, I’ll be aiming to bring back home with me to everyday life.

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