Do working dads worry about kids while at work?
A Father's Day article in CareerBuilder caught my attention both for the tips it gave and the assumptions it made.
"Men who place a high priority on family often need to be thick-skinned about it,' said Pam Ragland, owner of Aiming Higher Quantum Success Co., a personal and business consulting firm. She says men tell her they feel like a pansy if they end up dong things women traditionally do like chauffeuring children to activities.
Next, Ragland gave this tip: "Allow yourself to focus only on whatever you are doing during that time block. No worrying about kids when you are working, no worrying about work when you are with your kids. "
I read that and my first thought was that I really doubt most married men worry about their kids when they are working. I do believe that fathers worry about work when they are with their kids. But let's be real, most fathers don't worry about the logistics of their family life during the work day like mothers do. And, even if they they do on occasion, I'm sure it's not on a regular basis.
My husband disagrees with my assessment. He says men worry about family during the work day -- but more from the perspective of supporting the family and money issues. This may be true, but still I doubt it consumes much of their time during the work day.
Do you agree with either of us? Do you think dads worry about their kids when they are at work?
"Men who place a high priority on family often need to be thick-skinned about it,' said Pam Ragland, owner of Aiming Higher Quantum Success Co., a personal and business consulting firm. She says men tell her they feel like a pansy if they end up dong things women traditionally do like chauffeuring children to activities.
Next, Ragland gave this tip: "Allow yourself to focus only on whatever you are doing during that time block. No worrying about kids when you are working, no worrying about work when you are with your kids. "
I read that and my first thought was that I really doubt most married men worry about their kids when they are working. I do believe that fathers worry about work when they are with their kids. But let's be real, most fathers don't worry about the logistics of their family life during the work day like mothers do. And, even if they they do on occasion, I'm sure it's not on a regular basis.
My husband disagrees with my assessment. He says men worry about family during the work day -- but more from the perspective of supporting the family and money issues. This may be true, but still I doubt it consumes much of their time during the work day.
Do you agree with either of us? Do you think dads worry about their kids when they are at work?
posted by Cindy Goodman at 9:00 PM
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7 Comments:
My husband works many long hours and "tries" to call several times per day to check in, I guess that goes along with he must be thinking about us and by us I mean the boys.
I think most fathers check in during the day. But do you think they worry the same way about the kids during the day?
Hi Cindy, I hate to say it but I have to side with your husband on this one! I gave up a corporate career a year ago to play a more active role in the family and now have something a little more holistic than work/life balance as a result.
there is a equal share work between wife and husband,some times dad's are tried due to long working hours.
Yes and no...Yes, I think husbands worry about family issues while at work, but maybe only if they're brought to the forefront of his attention by a phone call, email, or other reminder. I think men tend to be more focused on the task at hand whereas women are constantlt mentally multitasking.
I think they do but as you say not with the same focus as women. I think most men consider their work as a priority over anything else because they believe they are providing for the financial requirements of the family unit. They feel that responsibility acutely.
Really like your blog site - will come often.
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