There’s big changes happening in our family life with iBear starting school next week and I want to be a part of them.

As regular readers will know, I’m a full time working, full time hands on Dad.  This presents all manner of problems almost entirely related to time.  There’s quite simply not enough of it.  Whether it be a quick play in the couple of hours between getting home and her bedtime or trying to juggle weekends of housework, family stuff and odd jobs time always, and I mean always, escapes us.

For my job i have a near 50 mile round trip to the office each day and the traffic is always bad meaning I have to set off early and get home later than I’d ideally like.   I love my job so this is fine, although it’s very frustrating not being able to see iBear more in the mornings and early evenings.  My job hasn’t stopped me from attending Nursery events here and there and I even manage to pick her up from Nursery on the odd Thursday where I can get a flyer but I’ve been worried for a long time about her starting school and the school run.  I really wanted to be a part of it – taking her to School, meeting the other parents, helping out where I can. I’m all for it.

After some discussion and a little give and take my request was granted! Time to do the victory dance (damn it! wait until you’re alone!).

I will now be working from home every Thursday meaning I can do both school runs that day.  This is a very big thing for me.  Not only will I be able to get involved with school life but I will gain a few precious hours both before and after school with iBear to enjoy all that this has to offer. Most important in all of this is once she’s finished school she’s all mine. I’ll have no work to get back to you and we can do whatever we fancy.  These next few years will see her change in all sorts of ways and I want to be there with her for as along as I can.

One Dads View

Work life balance is hugely important.   I’ve been that guy who stresses to the hilt in a high pressure job. I know how bad things can get if you don’t get the chance to appreciate your home life.  Thankfully, the high stakes job stresses are in the past for me and I’ve learned to enjoy the little things, even more so since my daughter came along.  We have to cherish as much as we can while we can and this work change will enable me to do just that.