Take Your Kid To Work

I was never able to take advantage of "Take Your Kid To Work" day. It is a day that was begun as "Take Your Daughter To Work" day in 1992.

The purpose was originally to show daughters that the work their mothers do is important. It was not just a reason for Mom to get out of the house. It gave daughters the sense that their mothers were actually contributing members of the work force. And that mothers are being paid and earning money for their efforts.

In 2003 the day was expanded to include sons. And sometimes fathers were allowed to take their children to work too.

Now we must understand that some environments are not safe for children so not everyone could take part. My children were grown so they would not have been interested. Besides they had watched their father and mother at work at the junkyard for years and they were used to the idea.

My daughter-in-law worked at the same superstore chain I worked.  She was in a different store than I was. She decided to take the opportunity to take my grandson and granddaughter to work. Parents were encouraged to do so there.

My grandson was in pre-school so he was probably 4 years old. He had the time of his life. He went out with the baggers to push grocery carts back into the store. He swept sidewalks and washed windows. They even let him scan a few small orders.

Customers were enchanted by such a little guy doing the job. Of course there was a real cashier there with him in case of problems but he did quite well.

Employees are not allowed to accept tips. But one woman wanted to give my grandson a dollar to show her appreciation. After a quick check for permission he was allowed to graciously accept.

When he went home that nigh he was exhausted and went straight to bed. (A few years later when he was in high school my grandson went to work at a different store in the same chain. One of his jobs was pushing carts. He did not think it was quite as much fun then.)

My granddaughter was a year younger than her brother. My daughter-in-law kept my granddaughter close to her.

The women in the cash office kept my granddaughter supplied with paper and colored pencils so she could occupy herself. She sat happily on the floor drawing and coloring to her heart's delight.

The cashier in charge of the shift thought my granddaughter might feel important if she had a little chore to do. She asked my granddaughter if she would like to take the spray cleaner we used and a cloth and polish the chrome around my daughter-in-law's work area.

My granddaughter looked coolly at her and said, "You're so funny." She went back to her coloring. That was how she spent her day.

I do think a take your kids to work day can be a good thing. If they are old enough to see it and understand it is good for them to know what their parents do to earn the money that takes care of the family.

My kids saw how hard I worked in the junkyard to help take care of our family. I believe that is the major reason none of them went into that line of work.