Parenting Dads & Soon-to-Be Dads Look Ahead to “The Future of Childcare” | SUNNY SIDE UP GROUP Dad Roundtable Discussion – Part 2

SUNNY SIDE UP GROUP handles PR and communication for a wide range of products and services. To enable our diverse members to create “fun excitement,” it is essential to establish an environment that allows each individual to work and live in a way that suits them—and parental leave is one such initiative.

This time, we held a roundtable discussion with working dads on the theme of parental leave, which has been increasing in recent years. The discussion featured three members: two who have already taken parental leave and one who plans to take it in the future.

In Part 1, we heard the members’ real voices about the support system for leave-takers at SUNNY SIDE UP GROUP and the insights they gained through their leave.

From left: Tomoki Tsuruzono, General Manager, Public Relations Division/Bureau 4/Department 2; Kota Harashima, Public Relations Division/Bureau 2/Department 2/Group 1; Takuma Shimizu, Deputy Manager, Management Strategy Bureau/Management Planning Marketing Office

In Part 2, the lively conversation among Shimizu, Tsuruzono, and Harashima continues. We bring you their memorable experiences during parental leave and insights into the employee benefits that support childbirth and childcare.

What You Gain Only by Taking Parental Leave

—Shimizu and Tsuruzono, you both actually took parental leave. Were there any memorable moments or things you felt during that time?

Shimizu:
I still remember how happy I was the first time I bathed my child in the baby bath. I had practiced at a municipal workshop before the birth, but I was anxious about whether I could really do it. The tension is completely different between practicing with a doll and handling a real, living infant.

However, when the moment came, I managed to do it without any problems, contrary to my worries. I deeply felt the importance of gaining knowledge about the newborn and practicing care in advance, as well as the gratitude for the government providing such opportunities.

Seeing my child’s happy face, I truly felt the reality of becoming a father.

Tsuruzono:
During my leave, I once made my wife angry with a casual remark.

I’m sure there had been other instances where I lacked consideration. Meanwhile, my wife was constantly on edge, protecting our child’s life around the clock. I reflected on the need to eliminate this gap in awareness and align myself with her.

That sense of awareness is something I gained precisely because I took parental leave and could focus entirely on family matters. In the 10 years I’ve worked at SUNNY SIDE UP since joining as a new graduate, I had never been completely away from work for three weeks.

Creating an Environment Where Diverse Work Styles Are Possible

—SUNNY SIDE UP GROUP offers various programs related to childbirth and childcare. Have you used any of them?

Tsuruzono:
I gratefully received the birth celebration allowance from the “Partnership” program. Also,while I’m not eligible, members often talk about how generous it is to receive 1 million yen in celebration money if you qualify for the “Sunny Baby Support” program (laughs). Childbirth and childcare involve considerable expenses.

Shimizu:
Money really does add up. I’ve become much more budget-conscious compared to when I was single.

One of the events in the newly established “Dear FAMILY” program this year is “Family Day,” where members’ families and friends can visit the head office. I had a wonderful time with my children during that event.

In addition to fun festival-like content for children, there was also a company presentation program, which I believe deepened my family’s understanding and trust in my work. They enjoyed delicious sweets and light meals from our clients, as well as menu items from bills, which SUNNY SIDE UP GROUP operates, and my wife and children seemed to feel the appeal of this company.

I think they were able to experience aspects that I couldn’t fully convey through words alone by spending time with the members. My family and I have been talking about wanting to participate again next time.

—I hear there are other interesting initiatives within the “Dear FAMILY” program.

Shimizu:
The “Dear FAMILY” program also includes “Nest For Kids,” where parent members gather within the company for lunch meetings to exchange information. There’s also a Slack channel, and the members managing it set up various gatherings.

Since it’s a new program, I feel it will continue to expand. I hope more people will take advantage of it so they can work in a balanced and flexible manner.

Scene from a recent Nest For Kids gathering

—Recently, the “Support Hour” program for members engaged in childcare or caregiving, and the “Dear PARENTS” program offering partial subsidies for babysitting and caregiving expenses, have also been introduced to further enhance support.

Harashima:
Until it becomes your own situation, you may not even know these programs exist or fully appreciate them. When you actually face that situation, you realize these programs have been established with us working members in mind.

Having a place like “Nest For Kids” where you can hear from senior parents alone reduces anxiety.

Shimizu:
For example, which stroller is best among the many available depends on each family’s circumstances, parenting style, and priorities. Being able to casually consult with fellow parents about things that are hard to judge from reviews alone is truly valuable.

With members like Tsuruzono and Harashima facing their first childcare experience increasing year by year, having such a space available is very reassuring and precious.

Tsuruzono:
SUNNY SIDE UP has always had a culture of working as a team rather than as individuals. While we’re speaking from the perspective of “dads” today, there are various reasons people may need time off, even if they’re not raising children. In such cases, I believe we have a system where colleagues naturally provide support.

Shimizu:
On the other hand, some people may want to focus on work now for self-realization or their future. Just as we’ve gained new values through childcare, what people prioritize in life varies from person to person.

Tsuruzono:
That stance also changes depending on one’s life stage. Precisely because we have diverse members, I want to manage in a way that enables each person to work in the way they desire as much as possible.

To Remain the “Ideal Dad”

Shimizu:
When my child reaches adolescence, I want to remain a parent who can have proper conversations with them. While I understand that some distance between teenagers and parents is inevitable, there are also cases where that doesn’t happen, and I’d like to aim for that. Being a male parent to a daughter, there are already some concerning moments, but I want to hold my ground (laughs).

To achieve that, I want to maintain a work style that allows me to secure some family time even on weekdays. Right now, I have daycare drop-off and pick-up times, but those will disappear once my child enters elementary school. Even if I can’t have dinner together, I want to be a father who can communicate a little before bedtime, so I want to organize my work accordingly.

Harashima:
This may be idealistic, but I want to be a dad who seems to enjoy working. I want my family to like me as a husband and father, so on days off I want to engage with my child, play together, and show them their father doing housework.

During work hours, I want to work sincerely and enjoyably so they’ll think they’d like to work like their dad someday. I want to do my best while properly balancing family and work!

Tsuruzono:
Balancing childcare and work is already naturally rooted in my daily life, so perhaps it’s not something to think of separately. I share with the two of you the desire to continue being seen as a cool dad by my child (laughs).

Becoming a father hasn’t reduced what I can do, so I want to continue leveraging my strengths at work. At the same time, it’s true that my perspective has broadened through my wife’s childbirth and my parental leave, and I’ve gained new viewpoints and values, so I want to give back this experience to the company.

The work style that fits best differs depending on each individual’s thoughts and life stage.

So that each member can continue creating “fun excitement” while working energetically, our group will continue proposing various systems and programs that accommodate diversity.

Please look forward to SUNNY SIDE UP GROUP’s new challenges ahead!