Today marks Take Our Kids to Work Day, and while my little ones are off at school, I find myself at the office solo. Interestingly, the parenting editor of a popular parenting publication also decided to go it alone today, and her reasoning is spot on. Sometimes, stepping away from the daily grind of shoelace tying, settling sibling disputes, and the never-ending nose wiping is a welcome reprieve. While those tasks are undeniably important, the temporary escape that work offers is a bonus.
I opted not to take my kids along because I don’t think watching me type away at a computer for hours would be particularly enlightening. My job has transformed into a flurry of emails, meetings, and calls—hardly thrilling for little ones who would much prefer the allure of video games and streaming shows at home.
Reflecting on past experiences, I recall companies I’ve worked with that went all out for kids’ day, often straying from the intent of helping children understand their parents’ professions. My husband’s workplace even let the kids play video games while the tech experts, psychologists, and sales teams sat at their desks.
So, I turned to my kids for inspiration and came up with seven careers they’d love to see us involved in on Take Our Kids to Work Day:
- Sanitation Worker
This job ranks as the top pick for most kids under six. A while back, while walking my son to preschool, we paused to watch a garbage truck. The driver said, “Stay in school, kid, or you’ll end up like me.” I couldn’t help but respond, “Are you kidding? You have the best job ever!” - Advice Columnist
My daughter dreams of stepping into my shoes to pen a column that tells everyone what to do. Honestly, I wouldn’t mind that gig either! - French Fry Specialist at McDonald’s
This one is another fantasy. Both my kids admitted they would love to join me at McDonald’s, helping out at the fry station. - Architect
They love the idea of designing buildings, although they want to skip the meeting part and dive straight into drafting plans and creating miniature models. My son, especially, finds a job that includes math and physics appealing! - Retail Sales Clerk
While we know retail can be grueling and tough on the back, kids see the excitement of running the cash register and working behind the counter. - Subway Driver
Just imagine the thrill of steering massive underground trains all day! What an adventure that would be. - Zookeeper
Who wouldn’t want to be a zookeeper? Feeding seals sounds like a dream job to any kid!
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In summary, kids often have whimsical ideas about what their parents should do for work, and it’s fun to explore the imaginative careers they wish we had.
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