First things first – why would you want to get your children interested in your day job? While some parents prefer to keep their work and home life separate, for others, it is important to bridge the gap where possible and teach their children about life as a working adult. If like me, you work from home this is great, although not everyone can do this and it will also depend on your specific job, but for many, this is a perfect way to introduce youngsters to the concept of ‘going to work’.

Similarly, this has many varied benefits for everyone involved. Here are a few of the main benefits:

Benefits for You

It’s no secret that parenting is hard, and for many, trying to juggle parenting and a career is a daily struggle. Therefore, any way of making things easier is always going to be gratefully received and much appreciated!

If your children begin to learn about your job and perhaps understand a little about what you do every day, the gap between work and home life decreases. When you head off to work, your children will be able to picture you at work throughout the day; for younger children, in particular, this can be an excellent way of reminding them why mummy or daddy has to go to work every day.

Benefits for Your Children

Children are naturally curious, and by allowing them an insight into the world of work, you will be indulging their curiosity and encouraging them to ask questions and develop an interest in what you do. Depending on your job, it could also help your little ones learn new skills and perhaps even develop a passion for the industry of their very own!

Benefits for Your Employer

Keeping employees happy and healthy is a big must for businesses – after all, a happy workforce is a productive one. By allowing employees the freedom to relax a little and introduce their families to their colleagues or work environment, they will be working towards a stronger team of employees, something which is ultimately beneficial for the business as a whole.

Workplace Fun for All the Family

If you’re sold on the idea, all that’s left to do is to decide how you want to introduce your children to your working life. There are many different ways in which you can go about achieving this – here are a few to get you started.

Team Building

Forget any ideas you may have of trust falls or sitting in a circle in a stuffy meeting room, trying not to fall asleep. Team building has come a long way since the dull activities you have probably encountered multiple times in your career – now, it is something to be enjoyed rather than avoided. Team building activities and events can easily involve the whole family and can take place pretty much anywhere, at any time. They can range from team building activities in the evening after office hours to interactive quizzes or treasure hunts to fun games testing each other’s skills – and competitiveness, of course!

Family Fun Day

If the fun aspect is what you’re after, then a family fun day will be the perfect event for you. Usually taking place on a summer weekend day, fun days are great opportunities for your family to meet your colleagues and vice versa. It’s a relaxed, light-hearted approach which will suit younger children as they can easily find other children to run off and play with, giving you time for a breather!

Charity Events

From traditional fundraisers and bake sales to office fancy dress challenges, sponsorships and sweepstakes, the general motto for charity events is the more, the merrier! If you are planning an upcoming charity event at work, ask your manager if you can get your kids involved – whether it’s helping to wash cars, donating old toys or attending a fete, family-friendly events are always likely to be more popular.

Since the benefits of mixing home and work life are clear to see, when will you be brave enough to take the plunge and allow your family to learn about what you do at work?

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