Introduction
When you were young, did you spend a day in the office with your parents?
This common tradition gives young kids an insight into the professional world. Whether or not they go into the corporate field, it’s an excellent way for them to learn more about the world outside school.
Though the Covid-19 pandemic has reduced our office hours, it’s important that this tradition comes back now that the world is opening up again. Whether your kids visit for a day or spend a week shadowing you, it’s a great experience.
Want to know the key benefits of taking your child to work? Keep on reading to find out.
Why Should You Take Your Kids To Work?
Here are the top positives you’ll experience when you take your kids to the office.
It Shows Them How Adults Communicate
Communication is critical in any area of life. Of course, your children will be used to more formal communication at school, but stepping into the office is a whole new world. From formal meetings to polite interactions with colleagues, it’s unlikely your kids will have seen a workplace environment before. This is a great way to slowly introduce them to the formal world, allowing them to know what’s ahead when they start working.
It Can Motivate Them To Study
Another popular benefit of bringing your kids to work is that it often motivates them to study harder. We all grow up knowing that education is essential, but there’s usually a disconnect between education and where it’s actually taking us.
Showing up to the office with your kids will open their eyes to what lies ahead when they graduate. This often helps them formulate their own career plans, helping them choose higher education paths or any specific courses they want to do.
Work Helps To Teach Leadership Skills
Leadership skills are fundamental. Whether you work with a big or small team, taking charge and guiding your co-workers to success is one of the essential skills in the workplace.
Unfortunately, this isn’t a skill that’s often taught at school. Leadership traits generally come from learning and listening in an office environment. If your child comes to work with you, they’ll likely absorb leadership skills earlier, leaving them in good stead for their first jobs.
They’ll See Another Side Of You
When you spend quality time with your kids, you’re in a casual mood. This allows you to chill out and enjoy the moments together. But have your children ever encountered you in professional work mode?
If you take your child to the office, they’ll get the chance to see another side of your personality. This is important, as it will reinforce that there’s a time for being relaxed and a time to be professional. If they’re younger, this is even more effective as it can demonstrate adults’ roles.
You Can Bond In A New Environment
Similarly to the last point, taking your child to work will allow them to see your work persona, giving you a chance to bond in a new environment. This can strengthen your relationship and leave you with a new respect for eachother.
Spending time together in a workplace environment will build trust. Conversations about professional opportunities and career plans will be easier to discuss in the future too.
It Teaches Them The Importance Of Work-Life Balance
Striking a work-life balance is one of the most crucial aspects of adult life. It’s not healthy to spend every second of the day working, but it’s also inappropriate to slack off from work. If your child can see your work life balance, they’ll likely adopt this method in the future.
Creating a satisfying balance can be challenging, but if you set a healthy example for your children, they’ll benefit from it in the future.
In-Person Learning
Education at schools mainly stems from textbooks and lectures. While this is an effective way of learning, sometimes kids benefit from getting out and into the world. Learning on the go in an immersive environment can provide valuable lessons that they’ll remember better than facts and figures.
Studies have repeatedly shown that learning that involves all five senses stays in the child’s memory for longer. You might not think of the office as a sensory experience, but this will give them a break from the classroom and develop their learning style.
The Bottom Line
Though not all jobs will be able to facilitate kids, if you can, we think it’s a great idea to expose your children to the workplace at a younger age. This will help them learn outside the classroom, preparing them for their future. Make sure you take advantage of any Bring Your Kids To Workdays!
Want to learn more? Explore the best work tips on the Flexispot blog. Or, pick the latest work accessories from our shop.
