Once upon a time, work was a place: an office, a factory, a store. You left home, you did your job, and then you came back. But in today’s world, work has transformed. It’s not just a destination—it’s a constant presence in our lives. Laptops on kitchen counters, emails sent from soccer practice, Zoom calls taken in pajama pants. The lines between work and home have blurred.
So what does Bring Your Kids to Work Day look like when “work” is everywhere?
This year, we flipped the script. Instead of giving kids a glimpse into our professional lives, we gave experts a chance to answer the questions kids really want to know about grown-up jobs. From the ever-curious “Why do you work so much?” to the heartfelt “Is your work more important than me?”we gathered real answers for the little voices who notice more than we think.
Let’s take a look at what the grown-ups had to say on Bringing Your Work to Kids…
One thing we can all agree on: learning doesn’t stop when you graduate. In fact, it becomes more important. The world is constantly changing – new technologies, new ideas, new challenges. And as one leader put it:
“You have to keep learning, even when you’re a grown-up! That’s because the world keeps changing – and so do you. Learning helps you stay interested and excited about life, no matter how old you are!”
Continuous learning is a superpower. It fuels careers, builds creativity, and helps adults stay curious, just like kids. New discoveries, new inventions, even new interests or hobbies all start from a place of learning and exploration.
Mistakes happen – yes, even to grown-ups in fancy suits. But what matters is what you do with them. As a leader described:
“When I make a mistake at work, I take a deep breath and pause before doing anything else. I talk to myself the way I would talk to a friend: ‘Apologize, learn, and move on.’”
In fact, many professionals said that mistakes are some of the best learning moments (see answer above!). They push us to grow, adapt, and become more resilient. There’s even a favorite book among working parent leaders: The Beautiful Oops – a reminder that mistakes can lead to unexpected beauty. And can open the door to conversations that help our future leaders adopt a growth mindset.
It’s not always about numbers or deadlines. For many, the heart of their job lies in the heart – in helping others. As an experienced leader put it beautifully,
“The most important thing I do at work is help people solve problems. We talk about what’s bothering them, look at their options, and figure out a way forward.”
Whether you’re a teacher, coach, therapist, engineer, or barista – every job touches people’s lives. And that impact is what makes the job feel meaningful, and makes the world a more beautiful place for all of us.
This question tugs at every working parent’s heart. Behind every question is often a feeling – confusion, sadness, curiosity, or a need for connection. Another expert reflected,
“I promise that nothing is more important to me than you. Being your mom is my most important role.”
Our careers can be fulfilling. They can change lives. But for most parents, their biggest source of pride and joy isn’t their LinkedIn title – it’s their kids. That’s why so many parents are working for their families, not instead of them, and communicating that to kids is important.
Work provides more than a paycheck – it creates stability and opportunity. A thought leader explained,
“Some of my jobs make money. Others help Mom make money. I also organize things at home so our family runs smoothly.”
In dual-career households, roles are blending. One parent might be the Lead Parent at home, managing schedules and snacks, while the other travels for meetings. It’s a team effort, not tradition, that gets the job done. Showing our kids that everyone contributes through both paid and unpaid labor is important to the family.
Even the smallest hands can make a big difference. One parent leader advised,
“Being part of a family means participating in the work it takes to make a home function. Even toddlers can learn to put clothes in a laundry basket or help set the table.”
Kids learn responsibility and empathy by pitching in. And guess what? Doing chores together builds connection, and skills that last a lifetime. They’re never too young to understand the basics of helping things function at home.
It might seem like parents are always working, especially in the age of remote work. But many parents crafting flexible schedules around their kids’ activities and school calendars, juggling many tasks at the same time. Here’s how one pro explained it:
“I work a few hours during nap time and after bedtime. I try to rest, too – but spending time with you is the most relaxing part of my day.”
Remote work has allowed many parents to be more present during the day, though it also means squeezing in emails after bedtime stories. Focus on being present during those hours, and try to be fully present when you’re with your kids.
Absolutely! According to one expert,
“I make stop-motion videos – it’s like playing with toys and telling stories at the same time. It’s work, but it’s also really fun!”
Loving what you do doesn’t mean every moment is easy. But when your job aligns with your interests, work can feel a lot like play. And our kids notice that!
Kids notice screens. A lot. A Josie client described to her kids:
“My phone is my toolbox. I use it to share ideas, send messages, and get my job done. I don’t go to an office – I do it all from here, so I can be closer to you.”
It’s not always easy to balance screen time and play time, but honest explanations help kids understand the why behind the phone, and help see it as a professional tool instead of a distraction from them. If you’re able to put the phone away when the job has concluded, kids notice that too!
Let’s bring it home with a kid-friendly definition as noted by a thought leader:
“Work is something grown-ups do to help others and make the world a better place. Some people build, some teach, some care for others. We all do something different – but it all matters.”
And yes, our jobs help us to buy snacks and toys for kids too. 😉
Bring Your Kids to Work Day isn’t just about showing off a fancy office set-up and arming kids with swag. It’s about showing the next generation how our careers fit into life, how they impacts families, and how they can be both purposeful and playful.
This flip of Bring Your Work to Kids reminds us that children aren’t just observers – they’re participants. They notice when we’re tired. They ask why we’re gone. They care about what we do and how we’re doing it. And Josie is here to help.
By answering their questions honestly – and showing them that work is about more than money or meetings – we plant seeds of empathy, purpose, and possibility.
So next time a little voice asks, “Why do you have to work?” smile, sit down, and flip the script. Let them in on the magic.
