Parenting older kids was supposed to get easier… right?! But let’s be honest—it’s still hard, maybe even harder. On this week’s episode, we chat with Mary Beth Ferrante, founder of WRK/360 and Fairplay Method’s Director of Training, about juggling career, care, and the ongoing curveballs life throws at us as parents. 🎢 From managing expectations to setting boundaries that actually stick, this convo is packed with insights on the reality of working while raising elementary-aged kids.
Mary Beth Ferrante is a powerhouse advocate for working parents and caregivers, serving as the founder of WRK/360. Through coaching and leadership programs like Parental Leave at WRK and Parents & Caregivers at WRK, she helps professionals balance the complex intersection of work and care. A certified executive coach and thought leader, Mary Beth’s work is featured in outlets like Forbes, CNBC, and Today. Beyond her advocacy, she's a proud mom of two, a dedicated daughter, and a "dance mom" learning stage makeup tricks! Mary Beth lives in Los Angeles with her husband, Matt, but her heart remains rooted in her Midwestern upbringing.
In this insightful and inspiring episode, Mary Beth Ferrante joins us to unpack the realities of balancing work and care as a parent. We dive deep into parental leave policies, redefining success in both parenting and career, and the importance of community support. Mary Beth shares her journey from a corporate finance career to launching a company dedicated to supporting caregivers. She offers candid advice on how to manage overstimulation, avoid burnout, and embrace both the joy and challenges of parenting. Whether you’re a working parent or someone curious about what it takes, this episode is full of actionable tips and thoughtful reflections.
Mary Beth quit her corporate finance job the same day her bonus hit her bank account to pursue a career focused on caregiving and workplace equity!
Mary Beth wishes she knew how overstimulating parenting could be. She emphasizes the importance of self-care and acknowledging that there's no one-size-fits-all blueprint to balance.
Take time for yourself before the baby arrives. Spend a whole day alone and enjoy your own company—you’re about to enter a life where alone time will be a rare luxury.
Redefining her career and advocating for workplace policies that help other parents thrive has been transformational for Mary Beth. It’s also taught her to protect her time and focus on what truly matters.
Mary Beth finds unexpected joy in the moments when her kids feel safe and secure in her presence. The fact that they seek her out for comfort and support is a deeply fulfilling part of her parenting experience.
"Parenting has taught me to be sharper, more focused, and more intentional with my time."
🔑 Key Quotes
💬 "I didn’t realize how much I would grieve for the person I used to be after having kids. No one tells you about that part of parenthood." – Mary Beth Ferrante
💬 "We thought the 'easy years' would come, but instead, the challenges just evolve—and so do we."
💬 "Parenting doesn't come with performance reviews. The only feedback you get is those moments where you see your kids thriving and think, 'Okay, I must be doing something right.'" – Mary Beth Ferrante
💬 "You can't outsource the mental load. Even when you get help, managing the help itself is another job."
💬 "Setting boundaries as a working parent is a process. We’re all still figuring it out, and that’s okay."
💬 "Being your kids’ safe space—the one they come to in the middle of the night—is a privilege I never knew would bring me so much joy." – Mary Beth Ferrante
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