Page 18 - IAV Digital Magazine #520

iAV - Antelope Valley Digital Magazine
By Katherine Lewis
"Bring Your Child to Work" day is the fourth Thursday in April, a time when offices around the country open their doors to give their employees' sons and daughters a glimpse of the working world. While "Bring Your Child to Work Day" began with a focus on empowering girls, most workplaces now welcome boys and girls equally.
If your employer has an official "Bring Your Child to Work Day," program, you're in luck! Find out the coordinator's name, and sign your child up right away.
But even if there's nothing formal planned for this day, you can still enjoy "Bring Your Child to Work Day." With some fore- thought, it can be a won- derful bonding opportunity for you and your children.
First, Check With Your Manager
Before you decide to bring your child to work be sure to check with your manag- er and colleagues. You'll want to ensure there are no important meetings, work travel, or big dead- lines scheduled that day, and that everyone's pre- pared for a few interrup- tions.
You can ask questions like:
Does it make sense for your child to stay for the entire workday?
Where should your child sit?
Are there any hazards or sensitive areas you should keep them away from? (For instance, if you work on a construction site, laboratory, or area with toxic chemicals.)
Is it okay to take a longer- than-usual lunch break with your child?
Decide How Long They'll Stay
Think about your child's temperament when plan- ning how long they'll stay at your workplace. Can you bring toys or activities to entertain them? Is your child an easy napper, like- ly to doze in the stroller, and let you work for hours?
Once you determine the ideal length of time, you'll have to figure out how to get your child back and forth from school or child- care and what time of day would be best. If you work close to their school, it may be easy to pop in and out. If not, consider a carpool with other parents who might want to bring a child to work, or see if your spouse, neighbor, another family member, or babysitter might be willing to help out.
Plan Your Visit
The whole idea behind "Bring Your Child to Work Day" is to give girls and boys an idea of what their parents do at work, so they can start thinking
about career possibilities for themselves. With this in mind, consider what experiences will give your child a taste of your job.
Some of the most power- ful activities have an inter- active element. Employers who run "Bring Your Child to Work Day" programs might set up a roundtable discussion, give a guided tour of the workplace, or arrange hands-on work- shops based on each department's expertise.
If you're running solo, you can ask willing colleagues to demonstrate the most accessible parts of their job. Children love any- thing to do with money, such as a cashier letting them ring up a sale or the payroll manager showing them how to cut checks. They'll also be interested in the impact of your job since many children believe mom and dad just play on the computer and talk on the phone all day long.
Don't underestimate the fun your child will have during your daily com- mute, coffee break, and lunch break with you. Be prepared for your son or daughter to enjoy travel- ing by subway or bus, or simply receiving a cool parking receipt in the garage.
Talk to the School
Don't forget to talk to your child's school and teach- ers to let them know he or
she will be absent for "Bring Your Child to Work Day." Ask about any make-up work or home- work that you should get in advance that can be a quiet activity during a lull in the day.
Most schools will be sup- portive of your child going to work with you, as long as the day doesn't fall on a field trip or a big test. The further in advance you ask, the better.
Talk to Your Child
Last, but not least, talk to your child. Discuss what you do for a living and ask if they have any particular interests or aspects of your workplace that they'd like to see.
Sketch out the basic plan for the day and mention any surprises they should expect. Be sure to touch on appropriate office behavior and dress, espe- cially if you have a teenager.
Ask your child what expectations and goals they have for the day. Not that you have to meet them all, but forewarned is forearmed.
"Bring Your Child to Work Day" can be a great suc- cess for both you and your child or children. Just do a little planning, and they'll get an excellent idea of what is in store for them in the adult work- place—their desired desti- nation.
iAV - Antelope Valley Digital Magazine