Parenting with Purpose & Perspective

Last month, Tina Paterson graciously shared with us her insights on navigating the 'Three Phases of Working Parenthood' – Early Parenthood, Primary School Age, and Teenage Years – each accompanied by invaluable takeaways for successfully balancing career and family life. (Link to previous article)

However, Tina has a lot more to share as she continues to navigate the ever-changing landscape of parenthood and professionalism and has kindly summarised three key focuses and some wild lessons learnt....

A Working Parents Lifeline - Support Network and Community

Tina emphasises the importance of a support network, often citing the proverbial saying, "it takes a village to raise a child." While her immediate family isn't nearby, Tina and James found solace in the support of James' family, recognising the importance of exposing their children to diverse styles of nurturing.

Moreover, Tina highlights the invaluable support found within the school community. From casual clothes days to extracurricular activities, staying connected with other parents via WhatsApp groups has proven indispensable.

Reflecting on their choices, Tina regrets not aligning her son's activities with those of his school friends, acknowledging the logistical challenges that arise with multiple children and conflicting schedules. She extols the benefits of carpooling, a simple yet effective solution to ease the burden of ferrying kids to various engagements.

Smart Transactions - Outsourcing

Recognising the fleeting nature of childhood, Tina and James have consciously invested in outsourcing tasks like cleaning and childcare to maximise quality time with their children.

Tina underscores the significance of cherishing each moment with her kids, recognising that childhood summers pass by swiftly, urging parents to seize these precious moments.

A Constant Amidst Change - Prioritising Well-Being

Central to Tina's approach is prioritising her personal well-being. She sets non-negotiables for herself.

With unwavering dedication to sleep, exercise, and hydration, she prioritises her health as rigorously as her professional pursuits, ensuring she's operating at her best, both personally and professionally.

Tina's commitment to her own well-being serves as a testament to her philosophy of "Outcomes over Hours."

Always Learning - our kids provide the ultimate lessons

Amidst the whirlwind of parental duties and professional endeavours, Tina draws profound lessons from her children.

From her son, she learned the importance of self-compassion, sharing a poignant anecdote about prioritising parental responsibilities amidst a hectic schedule.

When he was in Grade One came home from school and said “Mum I hurt my finger playing footy."

All I could think was I don’t have time for this this week, I have so much going on, I literally can not fit in taking you to the doctor and my husband had exactly the same kind of week.  The parent in me was thinking well you don't seem in too much pain, so I don’t think it’s broken. 

Fast forward 6 days and I got a message from James saying "Angus’ finger is broken, we just got it confirm”.

Often we look at other parents and think everyone else has their act together but I share this story widely to show that there are lots of things where I do have my act together but not all of it.

And through her daughter's experience, Tina underscores the significance of modelling behaviour, emphasising the importance of pursuing personal passions and independence.

My daughter was in grade one too actually, she came home from school and said “Mum, one of the boys told me I can’t be sporty because girls are weak."  I said "Interesting, so what did you reply?" “I told him that is not true, my Mum runs marathons!” 

Now, I’m not saying that every Mum should run a marathon, absolutely not, but what I am saying is that kids are looking at what is possible by what you do.

When they see you working - that’s fabulous, they see what’s possible and that your life doesn't completely revolve around them. You are your own person and can love and adore your children but you don’t need to live your life through your children and I think that is something you need to reconsider if you do find yourself doing that.

Tina exemplifies the art of living authentically and intentionally. As she continues to champion the principles of adaptability, resilience, and prioritisation, Tina inspires others to embrace change, redefine success, and create lives filled with purpose and fulfilment. Tina's mantra:

"You can have it all,
you just have to define what IT is!"

Tina Paterson, a beacon of inspiration in the realm of working smarter and on one's own terms, has graciously shared her insights garnered from over 28 years of partnership and raising two children.

Through her business, Outcome Over Hours, she aims to revolutionise corporate work culture, advocating for a shift towards prioritising outcomes rather than mere hours spent in the office. Tina empowers leaders worldwide to challenge the status quo and embrace a more sustainable approach to work.