Take Your Daughter or Son to Work Day: Do's and Don'ts

With how convenient smartphone ownership has become and the rise of social media platforms, the new generation has become incredibly busy navigating the digital landscape. Chances are that they don't even know what their parents do for a living. Fortunately, Take Your Daughter or Son to Work Day is just around the corner, and it is the perfect event to show your children what you do.

In this guide, we will go over what Take Your Child to Work Day is. Keep reading until the end, as we will explore the do's and don'ts to make this national event memorable for you and your children.

Let's get started!

What Is Take Your Child to Work Day?

Officially referred to as "Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day," Take Your Child to Work Day is an internationally recognized event that companies celebrate on the 25th of April.

On this occasion, employees can bring their children to work, giving them an opportunity to bond with their parents and learn more about what they do.

The national Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day is more than an annual event. It exposes children to different work environments, helping them prepare for the future. This tradition is incredibly rewarding, not only for the employees and their kids but also for the employers.

While companies celebrate Bring Your Child to Work Day with full enthusiasm, it wasn't the same in the past. The tradition of taking your children to the office initially started in the United States as an event to guide more girls and women into the workforce.

Today, people all around the world enjoy this annual occasion, bringing their daughters and sons to their workplaces. Employees can also invite their nieces, nephews, or underprivileged children to the office to celebrate Take Your Child to Work Day.

What Are the Benefits of Bring Your Child to Work Day?

The benefits of bringing your children to the workplace for this annual event extend to both the younglings and their parents.

When an employee brings their child to the workplace on the national Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day, it humanizes them in front of their colleagues. This allows them to forge a stronger relationship and also show each other empathy in case of unfortunate circumstances.

Another major benefit of celebrating this national day is that the employer becomes more understanding after meeting with your family and interacting with them.

Similar to how this event humanizes you to your colleagues, it does the same for your boss, fostering a deeper sense of connection and empathy within the workplace. When you're sick, your manager is more likely to understand your situation if they've met your kids.

While Take Your Daughter or Son to Work Day has become part of the employee well-being strategy at most offices, it also benefits the children.

Since the parent is away for more than eight hours daily, this annual event allows the kids to connect with the other side of their father or mother's personality.

A key thing to remember about Take Your Daughter or Son to Work Day is that it's not just an opportunity for your child to learn more about the office environment. Make sure you discuss the common company benefits and other important things with them to prepare them for the future.

Do's for Take Your Child to Work Day

To make the most out of Take Your Child to Work Day, here are a couple of things that you should keep in mind:

Explore the Activities

When an employer announces the event, they may provide a list of programs or Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day activities that may happen on that occasion.

You should do your research, pack your bag accordingly, and schedule your tasks ahead of time so that you're able to manage your responsibilities.

Here are some common activities that companies and organizations may plan for this day:

• Workplace Tours: Children are taken on guided tours of the workplace, including different departments and areas of the office or facility. This helps them understand the various roles and functions within the organization.
• Hands-On Activities: Companies often organize interactive activities related to their industry or work, such as science experiments, coding workshops, or creative projects.
• Q&A Sessions: Children are encouraged to ask questions about the workplace, careers, and the skills needed for different jobs.
• Skills Workshops: Workshops focusing on essential skills like teamwork, communication, problem-solving, and creativity are common during this day.
• Career Exploration: Companies may set up stations or booths showcasing various careers, allowing kids to explore different professions and learn about their requirements and rewards.

Check the Official Invite for Any Restrictions

You may receive an official email from your employer inviting you and your children to celebrate the national Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day. Go through the invite carefully and find out if there are any restrictions.

While this event is typically open for all kids, some companies may not allow children of a certain age. If you work in a dangerous environment, you may be unable to bring your daughter or son on this particular occasion until they're old enough to understand the potential risks involved.

Inquire About the Amenities

Depending on the age and nature of the child, some might be too energetic at the office while others may get hungry or dose off. Before attending Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day in 2024, make sure you inquire about the amenities from your employer.

Request some details about snacks and refreshments or places to sleep so that you can prepare for the event accordingly. 

Assess Your Schedule

Since your children will be around for the entire workday, it's crucial to reschedule your meetings. Managing your son or daughter at the workplace may require a lot of effort, which could prevent you from completing your tasks or carrying out your daily routine.

Due to the Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day activities planned by your employer, you may not have enough time to manage your office responsibilities. By planning in advance for this event, you can complete essential tasks in advance, minimizing the workload on the day itself.

Provide Expectations

You want your children to behave a certain way on Bring Your Child to Work Day, which is why it's essential to set clear expectations. Walk them through the do's and don'ts of staying in the office environment and let them know of the consequences if they fail to follow the rules. This will ensure that your son or daughter behaves at your workplace. 

Have a Backup Plan

Talk to a child caregiver in advance and let them know that you may require their services on Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day.

Some children may only be able to stay at the workplace for a few hours. In such situations, you may need a babysitter or caregiver to pick your child up and take care of them until you return home.

Check with Your Employer and Colleagues

While most companies celebrate Take Your Daughter or Son to Work Day across the workplace, some departments may not receive such privileges. You need to check in with your employer to see if the entire office will be enjoying this annual event.

Another thing to remember is that not all of your colleagues will be bringing their children to the office. Make sure you talk to them before the big day so that you know who will bring their son or daughter to the workplace. This way, your child will have someone to play or interact with.

Let the School Know

Since the 25th of April is on Thursday, it may affect your child's school attendance if they're at your workplace and not in their classroom. Make necessary arrangements so that they're able to catch up with the other kids and inform the school about the event.

Get the Parents Onboard

One of the biggest advantages of Take Your Child to Work Day is that they learn more about the workplace.

To make the most out of this annual event, you can talk to your colleagues about rotating the children so that they can learn more about different departments or other job roles.

Introduce Your Child

When you bring your child to work, make sure you introduce them to your colleagues and supervisor. Before that, guide them on the proper manners of meeting professionals so they can make a positive impression.

Reflect on the Day

While some people feel that the Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day activities are the highlight of this enriching national occasion, it's the entire experience.

Make sure to ask your child about what they learned at the workplace. This will allow them to articulate their thoughts and also let them know that you care.

Don'ts for Take Your Child to Work Day

There are some things that you should avoid on this national Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day, and these include the following:

Force Your Child

If your children do not want to attend the event, it's best to let it be. Forcing them to come to your workplace can lead to discomfort and resentment, detracting from the positive experience this day intends to offer. They can learn more about your profession when they're older.

Overstimulate

Some kids might find the Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day activities to be a bit overstimulating. If it's too much for them, ask them to sit it out and relax. Let them become comfortable with the new environment and faces before doing anything together.

Bore Your Child

While Take Your Daughter or Son to Work Day is an excellent opportunity for children to learn, it's essential to realize that they're still kids. They might get bored watching you go through spreadsheets and other documents, which is why you must be prepared.

Bring a book, game, or anything of interest to your child to keep them occupied when you're focusing on your job responsibilities. 

Leave Your Child Unattended

Make sure you're with your child at all times to avoid any unforeseen circumstances. If you're busy, talk to your colleague about keeping an eye on your kid so that you can focus on your work without worrying too much about your son or daughter.

For employers, it's important to explore different office layout ideas to ensure a safe space for parents and their children.

Become Too Emotional

While you may want your child to act in the best way possible to leave a good impression on your colleagues and employer, that may not always be the case.

Remember to keep a positive attitude and encourage your child to approach challenging situations with dignity and respect.

Misrepresent Your Job

Some parents may want to impress their children and exaggerate about their professions. It's essential always to let your child know what you do so that they clearly understand your work and appreciate it for what it is.

Bring Your Child Every Year

If your son or daughter has already attended this national occasion with you before, make sure you send them with another working family member to Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day in 2024. That way, they can learn about different workplaces and job responsibilities, helping expand their understanding of various career paths and industries.

Related articles:

• How to Celebrate Employee Appreciation Day for Remote Employees
• Remote vs. Work from Home: What's the Difference?

Final Thoughts

Take Your Daughter or Son to Work Day should be fun and exciting. It is a great way to bond with your kids and help them explore different career paths.

Guiding them when they're young sets the stage for their future aspirations and instills a sense of curiosity and ambition. Encourage your children to ask questions so that they can learn more.

While this national day is all about bonding with your kid, you must also introduce them to your colleagues and their children. This way, they can learn about different professions other than yours and also interact with like-minded younglings, helping them expand their horizons.

We hope that this guide on the do's and don'ts of taking your kid to work day provides you with the tips you need to make the most out of this national occasion.