Today is Take Our Kids to Work Day, and as I waved goodbye to my little ones heading off to school, I found myself at the office solo. It turns out I’m not the only parent opting for some quiet time; the parenting editor from a major newspaper is also leaving her kids behind. She relishes the break from the endless cycle of shoelace tying, dispute settling, and nose wiping. While these tasks are important, there’s something refreshing about a few hours of uninterrupted work.
I don’t bring my kids to work because I doubt they would gain much from observing me glued to my computer, only getting up for bathroom breaks or stretches. My job involves a lot of emailing, meetings, and phone calls—all activities that tend to bore them to tears, even at home where they have the luxury of video games and on-demand shows.
In my previous workplaces, some companies went all out for kids’ day, but most activities had little to do with understanding their parents’ jobs. My partner’s office even set up a gaming room for the kids, filled with programmers, psychologists, and salespeople—most of whom are stuck at their desks all day.
So, I decided to ask my children what careers they think would be exciting for us to have on Take Our Sons and Daughters to Work Day. Here are the seven professions they fantasized about:
- Sanitation Worker
Undoubtedly the top choice for any child under six. Many years ago, while walking my son to preschool, we paused to watch a garbage truck in action. The worker cheerfully advised my son to “stay in school, or you’ll end up like me.” I couldn’t help but respond, “Are you kidding? That’s the ultimate dream job!” - Newspaper Columnist Who Gives Advice
My daughter expressed a desire to step in for me and write a column offering life advice. Honestly, I wouldn’t mind that gig either! - French Fry Station Operator at McDonald’s
Both my kids revealed their wish for me to work at McDonald’s so they could join me in cooking those crispy fries. - Architect
But not the boring meeting part—my son is excited about designing blueprints and crafting tiny models of buildings. He enjoys math and physics, so this career seems like a perfect fit for him! - Sales Clerk
Those of us with retail experience know it’s tough work, but to kids, the idea of ringing up purchases at a store counter seems super cool. - Subway Driver
Running a massive underground train all day sounds like pure excitement, doesn’t it? - Zookeeper
Let’s face it—who wouldn’t want to feed seals all day?
This article was initially published on April 23, 2015. For more parenting insights, check out our post on fertility boosters for men at Make a Mom, an authority on the subject. You can also find helpful resources about pregnancy week by week at March of Dimes.
In summary, while our kids might have wild dreams about our potential careers, the reality of our jobs often involves mundane tasks. However, it’s fun to imagine the excitement they associate with different professions!
Keyphrase: Kids dream jobs
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