My boss has a wonderful grasp of the concept of working parents (well, he’s one, himself). One time, when my girls were very young, I had to take them into work with me. I made sure they brought stuff to do. My boss had just gotten a TV in his office (to watch the financial reports). I told my girls, “My boss has a TV in his office. Don’t touch it. Don’t look at it. Don’t even ask about it. Pretend that it’s not there.” When we got to my work, the FIRST thing out of my boss’ mouth was, “Hi, girls! Wanna watch TV?”
I did one better. My office was at home. The boys had a round toy box tub. One day there was much laughter. Then Caleb rolled Ethan past the office door in the empty toy box.
This reminds me of how my dad called home from work to wake everyone up for school. Did that from when I was in elementary all the way to high school. I know I could sleep through whatever alarm I set, but once the phone rang it was mom answering the phone and saying “Dad says its time to get up!”
My dad was self-employed and shared office space with my uncle (mom’s brother not his) as dad was out of the office a lot at clients. On the day of Christmas Eve dad would take me to work with him. (He did not do much actual work that day.) When the two of them and uncle’s secretary had a coffee break, there was cocoa for me. We would go out to lunch at coffee shop that had short stools (so my feet reached the ground almost) and I would either have grilled cheese or baked mac and cheese – if I had the latter the waitress would, on her own, put part of it on a separate plate so it would cool off and I would not burn my mouth. Then we would walk around. I would see Santa. (Not the Macy’s flagship store one that husband would go to as we did not take the subway to see him.) I go to play with all of his office supplies (except the rubber stamp with his signature – and I still consider office supplies to be toys – before I finally convinced husband not to waste money buying me gifts – he would end up in office supply stores looking for things for me). One year we went on “a date” for dinner and a movie Christmas Eve – my mom being in the hospital with my new sister. I know that I went other days with him also – and the activities were the same – other than Santa – but I know that it was every Christmas Eve day while he was in that office and at some point my sister joined us.
When I was somewhere around 10, dad moved to a different office – a fancy building with a receptionist for the floor (and a Xerox machine that did not involve 2 steps to make copies and the copies came out dry not wet). In November he told the others on his floor (they were all separate offices, but it was doors open setup for all of them) about bringing us in and he hopped it was okay. Next thing he knew the secretaries were taking up a collection for a party that day.
The time I spent with him at his office set me on the course for my career.
Thechildinme over 5 years ago
As a child, the security of knowing you’re loved and valued by Mama and Daddy go a long way toward good mental and emotional health.
Wren Fahel over 5 years ago
My boss has a wonderful grasp of the concept of working parents (well, he’s one, himself). One time, when my girls were very young, I had to take them into work with me. I made sure they brought stuff to do. My boss had just gotten a TV in his office (to watch the financial reports). I told my girls, “My boss has a TV in his office. Don’t touch it. Don’t look at it. Don’t even ask about it. Pretend that it’s not there.” When we got to my work, the FIRST thing out of my boss’ mouth was, “Hi, girls! Wanna watch TV?”
Nobody_Important over 5 years ago
His most important video conference of the day!
jagedlo over 5 years ago
The value of knowing what is the most important thing in your life-priceless!
sandpiper over 5 years ago
Way better than a coffee break for getting one through the day
Tentoes over 5 years ago
I did one better. My office was at home. The boys had a round toy box tub. One day there was much laughter. Then Caleb rolled Ethan past the office door in the empty toy box.
Comicgirl81 over 5 years ago
This reminds me of how my dad called home from work to wake everyone up for school. Did that from when I was in elementary all the way to high school. I know I could sleep through whatever alarm I set, but once the phone rang it was mom answering the phone and saying “Dad says its time to get up!”
Moon57Shine over 5 years ago
I wish I had time to do that. It must be nice to be the boss.
Ray over 5 years ago
Nice to be in a workplace where one can do all that.
hagarthehorrible over 5 years ago
that luxury seems to disappear now-a-days with all those roving cameras in the office rooms
mafastore over 5 years ago
My dad was self-employed and shared office space with my uncle (mom’s brother not his) as dad was out of the office a lot at clients. On the day of Christmas Eve dad would take me to work with him. (He did not do much actual work that day.) When the two of them and uncle’s secretary had a coffee break, there was cocoa for me. We would go out to lunch at coffee shop that had short stools (so my feet reached the ground almost) and I would either have grilled cheese or baked mac and cheese – if I had the latter the waitress would, on her own, put part of it on a separate plate so it would cool off and I would not burn my mouth. Then we would walk around. I would see Santa. (Not the Macy’s flagship store one that husband would go to as we did not take the subway to see him.) I go to play with all of his office supplies (except the rubber stamp with his signature – and I still consider office supplies to be toys – before I finally convinced husband not to waste money buying me gifts – he would end up in office supply stores looking for things for me). One year we went on “a date” for dinner and a movie Christmas Eve – my mom being in the hospital with my new sister. I know that I went other days with him also – and the activities were the same – other than Santa – but I know that it was every Christmas Eve day while he was in that office and at some point my sister joined us.
When I was somewhere around 10, dad moved to a different office – a fancy building with a receptionist for the floor (and a Xerox machine that did not involve 2 steps to make copies and the copies came out dry not wet). In November he told the others on his floor (they were all separate offices, but it was doors open setup for all of them) about bringing us in and he hopped it was okay. Next thing he knew the secretaries were taking up a collection for a party that day.
The time I spent with him at his office set me on the course for my career.