The Work It, Mom! Blog
with Nataly
Hi, I am Nataly and I am the co-founder of Work It, Mom!
I write the daily Work It, Mom! Blog where I talk about issues affecting working moms, goings on in our Work It, Mom! community, new site features, updates,and contests. I also share my own juggle between work and family and love to see members jump in with comments. Come and visit often!
Nataly's profile on Work It, Mom!
Yesterday was the Take Your Kids to Work Day. Did you know that? I ask because well, I completely forgot. In fact, I feel like there used to be a lot more talk and news coverage of this day than now, but perhaps it’s because the news is consumed with endless bad economic news.
I’ve brought my daughter to visit most places I’ve worked, but only for a very short time — I’d never considered actually bringing her to work with me for the day. I’d get nothing done, my colleagues would get annoyed (sure, she is cute for one minute, right up until the moment she starts chasing an imaginary friend up and down the office), and my daughter would get bored quickly. (After all, according to her I work on the computer. And well, she’s seen a computer before a few times.) The Take Your Kids to Work Day aside, I don’t understand why anyone would actually want to bring their kids to work.
I like the idea of my daughter understanding what I do and why I do it and I’ll try to find ways to talk to her about it as she gets a little older. One of the reasons I love being a working mom is that I’m really proud of what I’ve achieved in my career and of being able to contribute to our family financially, and I think in that, I’m a good role model for my kiddo. (The bags under the eyes, too much stress, and always living in a state of feeling rushed and late… not so much.) But I don’t need a special day to do that.
Did you take your kids to work for the Take Your Kids to Work Day? Have you done it before? Do you often talk to your kids about your work and what and why you do it?
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I have brought my son to work on Take Your Kid To Work Day in the past, but my company didn’t sponsor it this year, no explanation why. But he’s coming up on the age where he’s getting to be too old, I think, for that (and my company’s age limit is 16 years old). I don’t mind it, really. It’s a nice break from the day-to-day mundane things we do, and the kids usually aren’t that rowdy. My son understands what I do, but he can’t wait until I finish school so I can find something better to do, although in this economy, I’m just grateful to have a job.
GiGi | April 24th, 2009 at 12:07 pm
I did not take my daughter to work, but then, my daughter is 2 and that’s just plain crazy talk. I’m a teacher and I know a that a colleague of mine brought her 18-month old in last year…which is why my district now has a strict “school age kids only” policy with this day. A lot of my friends did bring their Kindergarten and older-aged kids, though.
As a teacher, it might seem worthless to even bring your school-aged kid to school, because they’re already AT school all day. But a different building, different kids, and different subject material make a huge change. I can’t wait for my daughter to see what it’s like to teach music all day. In my situation it would be very easy to keep her entertained and engaged, because that’s pretty much what I’m doing anyway. What’s one more kid?
I also had the benefit of having my own father working in my elementary school when I was a kid. He was my gifted education teacher, and I had him for 4 years, in class, twice a week. I guess that meant we had take your child to work day twice a week back then too.
Meg | April 24th, 2009 at 1:40 pm
It was take your kid to work day?!?
Totally missed it.
Lylah | April 26th, 2009 at 8:55 pm
Since my husband and I both have home based businesses, my daughter took advantage of the day to stay home from school. We took her out to Red Rock Canyon (near Las Vegas) and her dad gave her a lesson on film making and camera work.
By the way, Nataly, please stop by my blog,
Home Decorating News, and read the post Attitude of Gratitude Award. I have nominated you and your blog for this award! Keep up the great work! You inspire a lot of people!
Michelle Radcliff | April 27th, 2009 at 3:24 am
Ha Ha Ha! No. I can’t imagine having a 2.5 year old to feed, entertain, and nap all day long while trying to teach my students. Not gonna work. When she is older, sure. Maybe in 3 or 4 years.
Robyn | April 29th, 2009 at 11:45 am