Labor of Love: Taking Your Kids To Work

Thursday, April 23rd was national Take Your Kids to Work Day, but since my son Justin was off from school today, I pushed it back 24 hours. My wife also had a meeting in the city this morning, so we dropped her off at work and strolled into my office to let everyone see what 3-month-old Sabrina was looking like these days.

I was around Justin’s age the first time my dad took me to work. I remember getting up at some ungodly hour and it still being dark outside when we left. In 1980 we lived in the “unfair zone” of Cambria Heights, Queens, so the commute to midtown Manhattan took a good hour and a half to two hours, but my Dad didn’t so much as yawn the whole way.

After taking the bus to the subway, I just remember staring up at the huge buildings as we walked towards his job at Citibank’s corporate offices. I was like Arnold Jackson stepping out of that limo during the “Diff’rent Strokes” intro. But my Dad just strolled along like it was no big deal.

When we arrived at his job, everyone from the security guard to my Dad’s boss said “I’ve heard so much about you!” which made me wonder what exactly my father was saying about me all this time to all of these people. He was stoic, but couldn’t hide his pride as he said, “this is my son, Jerry.”

The rest of the morning was spent typing my name on anything I could think of and seeing it printed out on these yellow punch cards. When I wasn’t doing that, I was spinning on the chairs and drawing on the white and green paper with holes on the side.

Today the computer has been substantially upgraded, but kids in the office are still kids in the office. I’ve been bringing Justin to work pretty much since he was born and he always has a great time. We drive pretty much everywhere at home, so taking the LIRR and subway was always the adventure for him that it never is for me these days.

However, they weren’t staying the entire day with me we so that my wife could take them home. When Justin realized we were driving into the city, he couldn’t wait until we reached the Midtown Tunnel. I have no idea why it fascinates him so, but it’s his favorite part of the journey into Manhattan. “Look, Daddy, the light is coming up!” Then, when we reach the city, he points out anything that seems familiar, “That’s where we went to the circus!”

The only thing we agree on is our intolerance for traffic. I heard “Why aren’t we moving?” more than a few times heading crosstown.

After settling in at my desk, Justin sat down to click away on NickJr.com and I fed Sabrina. My coworkers marveled at how quiet she was and I had to agree that she was not just showing off – she really is this calm most of the time. After a good burp I took a walk with Sabrina so she could show off her perfectly coordinated purple outfit.

After eating a lunch I packed, Justin took the time to type me this note:

Before long, my wife buzzed to say she was on her way, so it was time to pack it up. I gave Sabrina the rest of her bottle and she promptly fell asleep. Justin wasn’t quite ready to leave, but the promise of seeing his cousins in Boston this weekend got him motivated.

I’m fortunate that my company is open to letting us bring our kids in on just about any day, but I encourage you all to take advantage of Take Your Child To Work Day whenever possible. Unless, of course, you work at Home Depot.