“I don’t want my kids to think of work as being a terrible place to be.”

Listen up! I was part of Kinderling Kids Radio show this morning, on their The Parent Panel podcast. It was such a blast! We talked about the value of work and why I don’t want my kids seeing work as interfering with ‘real life’ (more on this later).

I don’t know why I don’t get nervous doing these kinds of things. Maybe all the drama and debating I did as a kid. If I could make debating compulsory for every kid, I would. It’s the best training in thinking on your feet and being confident expressing yourself. But I digress…

Another The Parent Panel appearance: The perfect parent

On The Parent Panel podcast today we talked about whether the Kardashians are good role models, volunteering at school and banishing working parent guilt. Have a listen:

The value of work

What are we really showing our kids when we say things like, “Oh, sweetie, I can’t come to your play because I’ve got to work”, cue sad face. Or “I wish I could, but I’ve got to work.”

I’d be surprised if a lot of kids don’t perceive work to be a horrible dungeon-like place where parents go to be flogged. It’s a place that takes them away from the fun stuff. It’s the place that takes them away from ME.

Now, I don’t swear online very often (although sadly the same cannot be true IRL), but working mum guilt deserves it.

We need to be careful with how we showcase ‘work’ and what we do when we’re not with the family. Kids need to see work as a positive, exciting kind of thing, not a massive drag.

Some tips here: How to banish working mum guilt

Working parent guilt can f*ck off

Now, I don’t swear online very often (although sadly the same cannot be true IRL), but working mum guilt deserves it. I’ve written about it a lot, because it irritates me so much. We have enough pressures on us as mums and dads without adding guilt into the mix.

It’s about time we all gave ourselves an inch… no a metre… no a kilometre!

Look, most of the time it’s all in our heads anyway. Our perception of the “expectations of society” are really just our expectations on ourselves. We demand perfection. We want to do everything right.

Give yourself a break!

Fact is, when you give yourself a break, nothing happens. Nothing except feeling so much better about yourself, anyway. Seriously, let things go a bit this week and you’ll quickly see what I mean. NO ONE is actually tapping you on the shoulder saying, “Ah, excuse me, your child isn’t in a jumper and it’s 2 degrees.” Or “OMG, your house is so untidy!” Or “Why aren’t you at the weekly school assembly!” NO ONE.

Actually, if someone is actually doing that, ignore them. They are demented.

Enjoy the podcast and let me know what you think! Do your kids know the value of work?