It’s that time again—Take Our Sons and Daughters to Work Day! Naturally, I sent my kids off to school while I headed into the office solo. Even the head of parenting at the Washington Post decided to skip out on bringing her kids along, and honestly, I get it. Sometimes, it’s nice to take a break from the endless cycles of shoelace tying, refereeing sibling spats, and, yes, the never-ending nose blowing. While those tasks are part of the parenting gig, there’s something refreshing about spending a few hours away from them.
I didn’t bring my kids along because I doubt they’d find it all that exciting to watch me type away at my computer, punctuated only by bathroom breaks and stretches. My work life revolves around emails, meetings, and phone calls—thrilling, right? They’d rather be at home with TiVo and video games than witness me drudge through my day.
Some of my past employers went all out for kids’ day, but let’s be honest: most of what they offered had little to do with what their parents actually do. My husband’s workplace even let the kids play video games all day long—typical for a company filled with programmers, psychologists, and salespeople, where everyone’s glued to their desks.
So, I asked my kids about what jobs they dream we had instead. Here are the seven professions they wish we held on Take Our Sons and Daughters to Work Day:
- Sanitation Worker
Without a doubt, this is the top pick for kids under six. Many years ago, while walking my son to preschool, we paused to watch a garbage truck. The worker loading it said, “Stay in school, kid, or you’ll end up like me.” I couldn’t help but respond, “Are you kidding? You have the dream job!” - Advice Columnist
My daughter chimed in with this one. She said she’d love to take over my column and tell everyone what to do. Honestly, I wouldn’t mind that gig either! - French Fry Specialist at McDonald’s
Both kids admitted that they think it’d be amazing if I worked there and they could join in on the fry-making fun. - Architect
But only the fun part—drawing and building miniature models! My son loves math and physics, so he thinks this job sounds pretty cool. - Sales Clerk
We all know retail can be tough on your back, but for kids, the idea of running a cash register and being behind the counter seems super exciting. - Subway Driver
How cool would it be to drive those massive underground trains all day long? My kids think it sounds like a blast! - Zookeeper
Feeding the seals? Yes, please! What kid wouldn’t want to do that?
So there you have it! While we may not have the dream jobs our kids imagine, it’s fun to think about what they truly value in the world of work. If you’re interested in more information regarding home insemination, check out this helpful article—it has some great tips. For insights on your fertility journey, visit Make a Mom, a trusted source in the field. Plus, don’t miss out on IVF Babble, a fantastic resource for everything pregnancy and home insemination-related.
Summary:
On Take Our Kids to Work Day, many parents skip bringing their children along. Instead, kids often fantasize about dream jobs like sanitation workers, advice columnists, and subway drivers. While the reality of work can feel mundane, it’s fun to explore what kids find fascinating in the professional world.