We love receiving your letters and emails and often feel that what you tell us gives voice to the feelings of many other parents. Heres what one dad had to say after reading the CHILD article on choosing the right job to suit family life (You can read the article here: bit.ly/1ijIh00). I regularly read your magazine which I collect from my 4 y.old daughters kinder. I was really happy to read your article titled Work it out after I just made a career move. If I can just explain the background. I am a Dad working 12 years at a small family run business which gave great flexibility to parents to work around kinder/ school commitments etc. After 12 years in this role I decided to move on and try a higher paid, and more advanced level role with another company, who - it turns out were not so flexible for parents. After the first week in the new role, I was having to rely on friends to do pick ups, drop offs, extra time in after care, home an hour later than normal, and missing my kids like crazy.. even missing the little things like the morning madness of getting kids to kinder, and my son to his school line in time. I knew this wasnt the role for me as I just cant justify putting work ahead of my kids needs. This was one of the main factors I decided to resign from the new position, after 1 week, and take a few weeks off to spend with my kids.., while I look for a more family friendly role. With hindsight, and clarity, I now feel embarrassed for making this move away from such a great place, to follow my misguided career goals ahead of family needs. After reading your article, it does help me justify my decision to resign, as there are still a lot of people out there who just dont understand why a father would do this. (should be the mothers job! must advance your career, earn more.. etc etc..) I am hoping to get back to work with my former employer even if I am earning less than I was, in a less challenging role, as I now realise the importance of having the right work/life balance, and having a supportive employer for parents needs. Fingers crossed they can still take me back, even if I have to work part time to make it work so I can have time to enjoy those interactions with the kids. I now realise, kids just dont care about how much you earn, or how prestigious your title is, they need time with their parents while they are still little.. and I need time with them! Thanks again, love your magazine.
Posted on: Sat, 15 Mar 2014 07:00:01 +0000
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