The Workaholic Dad

Bubbles

Hi, my name is Phil, and I'm a remote worker with two young children. Like many parents, I've experienced the challenge of juggling childcare with work. Any time one of my kids is sick, it is hard to focus on my job. My wife takes on the burden because the kids stay in the living room with her while she works. Last summer, my daughter was home sick for the 90th time. She kept asking for bubbles, and I felt guilty that I couldn't play with her for long.

This experience inspired me to write this post. I want to share my story with other parents struggling to balance work and family life. I also want to talk about the challenges of workaholic culture and how it can negatively impact families. I hope this post will start a conversation about these important issues.

The Story:

I remember the day my daughter was home sick from daycare like it was yesterday. She had a fever and was feeling miserable. It was hard to focus on our job when she was constantly asking for food, putting on another video on her iPad, or asking for a toy we can’t find.

One of the things she kept asking for was bubbles. I knew it would be messy, but I figured it would be a good way to distract her for a little while. So, I grabbed the bubble wand and we played in the living room. We had a lot of fun blowing bubbles together and after a few minutes, I had to go back inside to take a call.

I felt guilty leaving my daughter, but I knew I had to work. I promised her I would be back to play with her soon. As soon as I left the room, she cried and I felt terrible. I had promised my daughter I would play with her, and I had broken my promise. She just wanted to play bubbles with her daddy, but I was too busy working.

The Message:

This story is a reminder of the challenges of working remotely and juggling childcare. It's also a reminder of the importance of putting family first.

Workaholic culture can be very demanding, and it can be easy to get caught up in our work. But it's important to remember that our families are more important than our jobs.

If you're struggling to balance work and family life, there are a few things you can do. First, talk to your employer about your concerns. They may be able to be flexible with your schedule or give you some time off.

Second, find a support system. Talk to other parents who are going through the same thing. They can offer you advice and support.

Finally, remember that you're not alone. Many parents are struggling to balance work and family life. It's okay to ask for help.

I hope this story has resonated with you. If you're a workaholic parent, I encourage you to take a step back and reevaluate your priorities. Your family is more important than your job.

If you're struggling to balance work and family life, resources are available to help you. Talk to your employer, find a support system, and remember that you're not alone.

I hope you enjoy this story with art and letters by Y.Sanders