Last week I was in an offsite with my US partners and we were talking about one personal story or learning that we would like to share with the team. We spoke of festivals, apps, food and fun facts among many other things. One thing that JJ shared stayed with me.
In the 90s, her father’s workplace had a ‘Take your daughter to work’ day. JJ’s father was a pilot and that meant getting to visit an airbase and sit in a cockpit. While she shared the picture with all of us, my mind when to the thought behind this. The thought is relevant today too.
If every child gets to visit the workplace of her parents, imagine the impact it creates. She gets to know the physical space, she understands where her parents spend their time and what it means to work. I thought it was a great idea to pursue in the 90s and nothing stops companies to once in a while let employees bring their children to work. In today’s times too.
“Don’t worry that children never listen to you; worry that they are always watching you.”
-Robert Fulghum
I am participating in the A To Z Challenge for the third time this year and I am penning Stories from everyday life.
happiness and food 
This is a concept I absolutely love. It’s inclusive and also helps the kids understand the efforts that go into earning one’s daily bread.
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I remember when that was very popular. It’s good for children to see if not fully understand what their parents do. My children always got pulled into my work so they learned to do many things at a young age.
https://moondustwriter.com/2017/04/23/talia-atozchallenge-uganda-gulu/
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My company had done this once, a number of years ago. They never repeated it. I believe “loss of productivity” was more important to then than implementing a concept as brilliant as this.
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What a lovely concept this is. Now I think about it, I used to go to dad’s workplace after school sometimes. It sure is a memory I treasure 🙂
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My daughter was around with me on a recent translation workshop, she was so fascinated and inspired.
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As a child, it must feel so grown up to go to your Dad’s office. I would have been thrilled to be included and had he been a pilot , I think I would have been over the moon. I have always imagined what it must feel like to sit in the cocpit of a plane! Lovely pic Parul – thanks for sharing!
Taaza Thindi in Bangalore
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My friends in the UK still have this concept at their work places. I think it is brilliant and should become the norm.
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What a wonderful thought Parul. We as Kids used to visit Mother’s Office once a while and it was so fun. Now I would really wish if my Son would visit mine.
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When I worked at a library, I often did bring my daughters to work. Now I’m in an office. I think they’d find that really dull.
I’m also an author, which means they see me typing furiously most days. While they can see the outside of what I do, I wish I could take them inside my head so they could see what goes on in there, for that’s where the true work happens.
Her Grace, Heidi from Romance Spinners
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My childhood friend used to spend a few hours at her dad’s office every day after school. During the time, she learned the kind of things that we would have never learned otherwise. The best thing was, no one ever talked down to her thinking she’s a kid (we were twelve at the time) and eventually, when they started making products for our age group, like encyclopedias, they even asked for her opinion. Must have been an enriching experience, that I only have secondhand knowledge of from her 🙂
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I do take my daughter to my workplace at times. She loves these visits. It also helps her understand my work & respect it.
Prasanna from Team Mocktailmommies
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Great quote. Happy A-to-Z-ing.
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I never had a chance to do this but now my daughter takes me with her to her office and into courts where she is representing someone. Different but just as inspiring.
T for Tolethorpe Hall http://bit.ly/2oCAXDA
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My dad was a doctor, so taking us to the hospital was not a pleasant thought but as kids we always used to wonder where and how dad worked. Once I was old enough, he took us to his room on a holiday and it was really exciting. Still remember that day.
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We need to have this here too. So that kids know what their parents go through.
Here parents get their children to office on fridays, play them a movie on their phone and let them be. Why can’t they do this at home instead?
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Yea, many workplaces now have these special days where family can come to your workplace..it’s a great way to know the hard work that the parent does to put bread on the table.
Shubhangi @ The Little Princess
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lovely post and absolutely relevant… we do need such things done here in India too. Not just that but the reverse too – ‘bring your dad/mom to school day’ too
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I don’t have children, but maybe one day. That would be nice. I know I enjoyed visiting my dad at work. 🙂
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That’s a lovely concept and Vodafone celebrates it too. But it’s not just for daughters. It surely helps kids know what their parents do and their co-workers as well. It is a fascinating and a learning experience for them.
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I wish everyone would read this post. Good job!
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Was it only take your daughter to work day, can’t they bring son too(: … it would be good if there is take your children to work day because well they would know parents work hard to earn money and would be proud of their parents and respect them more.
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I actually had the benefit of going to “work” with a friend’s mom as well as my own mom in the 90s during Take Your Daughter to Work Day. I had so much fun having that experience and I think it’s great for kids to see the workplace and learn more about their options for when they get older.
How fun that JJ got to see the cockpit and airbase! I wonder if that would even be allowed now with all of the security they currently have?
With Love,
Mandy
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