Why Working Parents Are Struggling, and What Workplaces Are Missing
- Dr Rosina
- Feb 9
- 2 min read
Most workplace wellbeing programs are built with good intentions. Gym discounts, mindfulness apps, and the occasional stress webinar all signal that wellbeing matters.
But for working parents, especially those juggling young children or children with mental health challenges, these supports often miss the mark.
In this conversation, Parenting Expert Dr Rosina McAlpine explores why working parents are experiencing some of the highest levels of burnout and emotional strain in today’s workforce, and what organisations need to understand if they want to make a real difference.
Research consistently shows that working parents report lower mental health scores than other employee groups. One of the biggest contributors is the ongoing stress related to children’s wellbeing, behaviour, and mental health. Deloitte has identified child mental health as one of the most significant pressures facing working parents, yet this reality is rarely reflected in workplace wellbeing strategies.
A key theme in this discussion is the difference between equality and equity. Treating everyone the same may feel fair, but it does not account for the different pressures people carry at different life stages. Supporting parents is not about special treatment. It is about recognising that employees do not leave their family responsibilities at the door when they come to work.
The conversation also addresses sensitive but important issues, including the mental load carried by mothers and fathers, unspoken assumptions about parenting roles, and the concern some organisations have about balancing support for parents and non parents.
This discussion is grounded in lived experience. During the recording, the host’s own child was home due to a teacher strike, a real time reminder that work and family life constantly intersect.
If you are a people leader, HR professional, or parent wanting a deeper understanding of how work and family pressures interact, this conversation offers insight, clarity, and practical guidance.
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