National Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day
April 28th is National Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day!
It’s a fun day that encourages parents and guardians to bring their children to work for a day.
For kids, it’s a day that will hopefully inspire and encourage them to explore different careers and professions, and to learn about the workplace in a fun and engaging way.
I remember going to work with my dad some. He ran his own personnel agency and it really helped me decide that that was definitely not what I wanted to do. LOL
Though I did at one time think it would have be nice to work with him and take over the family business because he was such a great dad and I loved being around him and watching him work. To this day, he is still such a great man and an incredibly wonderful role model.
My mom was a nurse and mercy, I don’t know how she did it. I’ve always been in awe of her and her nursing skills. She’s so empathic and caring. I bet her patients absolutely loved her!
The History of National Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day
National Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day was first observed in the United States in 1993. The day was created by the Ms. Foundation for Women to address the inequalities and barriers that women face in the workplace, and to encourage young girls to consider careers in traditionally male-dominated fields.
Since then, the day has evolved to include all children, regardless of gender, and has expanded to include a broader focus on career exploration and workplace education.
Why is National Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day Important?
National Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day is important for so many reasons. Let’s chat about a few of them!
- Inspiring Future Generations
- By bringing your children to work for a day, you can inspire them to explore different career paths and professions. You can show them what you do on a daily basis and introduce them to different colleagues and coworkers, giving them a glimpse into the working world and helping them to understand the value of education and career planning. If your kids are like me, I was always very confused about what I wanted to be when I grew up!
- Promoting Workplace Equality
- National Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day helps to promote workplace equality and encourage girls and boys to consider careers in fields that have traditionally been dominated by one gender or the other. By introducing young children to a variety of career options, we can help to break down gender stereotypes and encourage a more diverse and inclusive workforce. I mean, I had a male nurse when I gave birth to my first son and he was great! And my son’s girlfriend went into STEM and is now a Chemical Engineer working in Breast Cancer Research. How amazing, right?
- Building Bonds and Relationships
- Spending a day at work with your children can be a fun and memorable experience, and it can help to strengthen your bond and relationship with them. It can also give your children a greater appreciation for the hard work and dedication that goes into a career, and can help them to understand the importance of work-life balance. Also… they’ll learn that money doesn’t grow on trees, right? LOL
How to Make the Most of National Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day
What are earth will your kids do if you do take them? How can you help make it a successful day? Let’s see:
- Plan Ahead
- Talk to your employer and make sure that it is okay to bring your children to work for the day. The last thing you want to do is show up with your kids and have your boss freak out!!! Make sure that you have activities planned and that your children will be engaged and entertained throughout the day. Find some co-workers who can show them the ropes as well. That way they’ll have another perspective as they watch how you function in the workplace.
- Tailor the Day to Your Children’s Interests
- Ask your children what they would like to learn or see during their day at work. Try to tailor the day to their interests and help them to explore different career paths that align with their passions and talents. That might spark some new ideas even if they end up not wanting to do what you do!
- Show Them the Ropes
- Introduce your children to your colleagues and coworkers and show them what you do on a daily basis. Explain your job responsibilities and the skills that are required to be successful in your field. Maybe your co-workers can help your kids understand your life outside of the home!
- Highlight Workplace Values
- Use the day to highlight important workplace values such as teamwork, collaboration, communication, and problem-solving. Help your children to understand the importance of these skills and how they can be applied in different careers and professions.
- Follow Up
- After the day is over, follow up with your children and ask them what they learned and what they enjoyed the most. Use the day as a starting point for ongoing conversations about career planning and education. Maybe even make a video of your “interviewing” them so they can look back on it years later and have a sweet memento of your time together!
National Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day is a valuable opportunity to inspire and educate future generations about the working world. By participating in this unique and fun day, we can help to break down gender stereotypes, promote workplace equality, and encourage our children to explore different career paths and professions.
So, on this National Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day, take the opportunity to inspire and educate the next generation of workers. By doing so, you can help to create a brighter future for all of us!
