Supports for Parents and Guardians

Page Updated: 27th July 2022

UCD recognises that life can be demanding and we always strive to support employees who have family obligations or who may be preparing to become a parent and may be going on or returning from family-related leave. This is particularly true for the situation that employees now find themselves in as a result of Covid-19 and hybrid working.

We may be facing some challenges associated with caring responsibilities, working remotely and being unable to socialise and interact in person with colleagues, friends and family. It is important to mind your mental health and well-being and seek support if needed. Read personal stories from UCD employees around the theme of parenting during COVID.

UCD's Parent Buddy Programme is available to employees who are parent/guardians while working from home. Further details on the Programme, how to contact a Parent Buddy and additional useful resources for Parents and UCD family-related policies and supports can be found in this section.

If you are a carer, you may find this page on Supporting Carers during Covid-19 helpful. 

Upcoming Workshops/Webinars:

1st March 2023 - Maternity Matters | Return to Work

This session gives you practical tools and tactics to make a confident return to work following your maternity/adoptive leave.

Topics covered include 

• Check-in – what’s working well, what’s challenging?
• Values and priorities
• Setting boundaries between work and home
• Managing guilt
• Self-care

It’s a very interactive workshop that gives you the chance to connect with other Mums who are returning to work from UCD. To get the most from the session, we recommend dialling in from somewhere quiet so that you can talk openly. 

Places are limited so please register on the EDI Training and Events Calendar in to ensure your place. Zoom details will be shared closer to the event.

Supporting Children and Young People in a time of War:

The Department of Education has posted new advice for supporting Children and young People in a time of War, for both parents/guardians and School Staff. More information can be found at the following link: 

www.gov.ie/en/publication/e003e-supporting-children-and-young-people-in-a-time-of-war/

Parenting and Caring Collection in UCD Library

A Parenting and Caring Collection was curated in James Joyce Library for UCD employees and students that covers the personal challenges you may encounter at different points of your working career. The collection is made up of e-books ad books which include:

• Parenting - Aspects of parenting from IVF, pregnancy, baby care, kids emotions, to caring for your teenager, step parenting and even parental well being
• Retirement - Preparing for retirement, looking after yourself - Ageing well
• Caregivers - Support if you are caring for a loved one outside of work; Dementia, Parkinsons, Alzheimers etc.
• Grief - If you have lost a significant person in your life from suicide, illness, miscarriage etc.

Resources

• Check UCD Staff Ezine regularly for upcoming webinars and events. 
• Employee Assistance Service
• Inspire - Keeping Back to School Cool
• Pride Reading Guide: childrensbooksireland.ie
• Parenting and Caring Collection: Introduction: https://libguides.ucd.ie/parentandcarer
• HSE: https://www2.hse.ie/my-child/
• Mumager: https://mumager.ie/
• http://www.miscarriage.ie/
• https://pregnancyandinfantloss.ie/
• corkmiscarriage.com While this website is specific to the services operating in Cork University Maternity Hospital, the information is relevant to parents and maternity services nationally and internationally.
• Breastfeeding Facilities in UCD
• Childcare Facilities on Campus

You may find these LinkedIn Learning Videos helpful during this time (available for free):

• Becoming Mindful at Work (total duration: 2h 3m 43s)
• The Mindful Workday (40m 20s)
• How to Manage feeling Overwhelmed (43m 16s)
• Balancing Work and Life (28m 51s)