Our Story
ParenTalk was born from lived experience.
Between us, Sharon and Camilla have navigated the full reality of modern parenting - the emotional load, the worry, the guilt, the constant juggling of work demands and family needs. We know what it feels like to be highly capable at work while privately running on empty at home.
What struck us most wasn't just how hard parenting can be, it was how invisible that reality often is in the workplace.
We saw brilliant, dedicated employees struggling in silence. We saw stress mislabelled as "performance issues." We saw parents forced to choose between being present at home and progressing in their careers. And we saw that most workplaces genuinely wanted to support parents, but didn't know how to do it in a structured, effective, evidence-based way.
How ParenTalk Began
ParenTalk didn't begin in a boardroom, it began under a tree in our local village.
We met by chance while walking our dogs and fell into conversation. It quickly became clear how much we had in common, not just as parents, but professionally. Although we came from different backgrounds, we realised we were working in the same space, with overlapping fields that naturally complemented each other.
As we talked, the same frustrations surfaced. We were seeing the same gaps. The same parents struggling. The same lack of joined-up, practical, emotionally intelligent support, both at home and in the workplace.
By the time our dogs were ready to head home, the seed for ParenTalk had been planted.
Why We Built It
Parents carry complex pressures. How they are supported at home directly affects performance at work.
We created ParenTalk to close the gap between parenting and the workplace in a way that actually works.
Today, we partner with forward-thinking employers to deliver expert-led, practical, emotionally intelligent support for working parents - from early years through adolescence. We also train managers to understand and support working parents, helping teams thrive at every level.
No platitudes. Real guidance. Real tools. Real relief.
The impact is clear:
- Absenteeism drops
- Burnout declines
- Retention strengthens
- Engagement and performance rise
Why Choose ParenTalk?
Supporting Working Parents, Strengthening Business Performance
ParenTalk bridges the gap left by generic programs, delivering measurable results aligned with corporate strategies, DEI, and sustainability reporting. By supporting parents, you strengthen your workforce and transform parental wellbeing into a strategic business advantage.
We believe no parent should have to struggle alone. When employees receive timely, expert support, they feel more confident, less stressed, and more engaged; benefiting not just their families, but their workplaces too.
That's why we partner with companies to create truly family-friendly workplaces; where parents feel supported, careers can thrive, and businesses benefit from increased retention, higher productivity, and a more engaged, resilient workforce.
Why Current Solutions Fall Short
Generic wellbeing programmes, EAPs, or one-off workshops often struggle to address the persistent and complex challenges many parents face. Parenting pressures don't exist in isolation; they intersect with work demands, influencing wellbeing, focus, and performance. Employees need support that recognises the full context of their lives, meets them where they are, and responds to real, ongoing needs rather than offering short-term or generic solutions.
What Works
Research shows targeted, ongoing, expert-led support delivers the best outcomes. Effective programs include:
- Parent-supportive workplace cultures
- Expert-led guidance tailored to specific parenting challenges
- Ongoing access rather than one-off touchpoints
The ParenTalk Solution
ParenTalk provides...
- On-demand access to clinical parenting experts
- Confidential, stigma-free spaces for parents
- Scalable programmes from early years to adolescence, and covering areas such as neurodiversity, mental health, screen-time, and developmental concerns
- Integration with HR, DEI, and wellbeing strategies
Proven Business Impact
5.5x
Revenue Growth in Supported Organisations (Great Place to Work, 2020)
€5.35
Return per €1.15 Invested (Deloitte, 2024)
Increased Retention, Engagement, and Workplace Culture
Reduces Attrition and Burnout while Improving Employee Wellbeing
Expert-Led, Evidence-Based
Meet our team of experienced educators and therapists dedicated to supporting children and families to thrive.
Sharon Fennelly
Sharon specialises in helping families and young people navigate worry, anxiety, resilience, and growth mindset. Her mission is to equip families with the tools to meet life's challenges with confidence.
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Camilla Marks
Camilla specialises in supporting parents through the everyday and complex challenges of raising children, from early communication and emotional development to neurodiversity, sensory needs, and behaviours of concern.
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Fidelma Taaffe
Fidelma Taaffe is a qualified primary teacher with a degree in Psychology & a Master's in Child & Adolescent Mental Health. With over 25 years' experience & as a parent of a child with autism (see her beautiful son above), she brings both professional expertise & lived experience to supporting children and families.
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Donald Ewing
Donald is a Chartered Educational Psychologist with experience supporting children across Ireland, the UK, and Japan. He focuses on dyslexia, educational policy, and helping learners thrive.
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Muireann Saidler
Muireann is a qualified Play Therapist and Primary School Teacher with over 20 years' experience. She supports families navigating neurodiversity, specialising in communication, behaviour, and solution-focused approaches.
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Would you like to receive a copy of our Research in our ParenTalk White Paper?
Click Here to Fill Out Our FormSupport Your Working Parents - and Your Business
Every organisation is unique, and so are the challenges your employees face. That's why we create bespoke packages tailored to your team - from webinars and workshops to 1:1 parent support and more.
A tailored approach doesn't just help parents feel confident, supported, and less stressed, it also drives higher productivity, stronger engagement, and better retention, creating a healthier, more effective workplace.
Don't wait - let's design a package that works for your people and your organisation.
Contact us today and we will guide you through the options, so your team can start benefiting as soon as possible.
Or fill out our contact form and we will respond promptly.
If you would like to talk to us about how we can help your employees, you can contact us here.
