Apparently Kids think parents work too hard.

This morning I read an article saying one in three 10 year old children think their parents work too hard (according to the Australian institute for Family Studies), I really think it more too much. The article went on to say:

“About one in three 10-year-old children say their parents work too hard, and about one-quarter of all parents agree, according to new research by the Australian Institute for Family Studies.

For the first time, researchers asked a large group of children aged 10 to 11 - about 4000 of them - what they thought about their parents' working habits. About 35 per cent of these children thought their fathers worked too much, while 27 per cent said their mothers worked too much.

And if parents felt they worked too hard, the children were quick to feel the same thing.”

Of course if parents think they work too hard so will the kids – I’m sure that this is vocalised in the home.

“According to institute researcher Dr Jennifer Baxter, the study shows children are very sensitive to their parents' working patterns and stresses.”

''They see their parents working long hours and not coming home until late and weekends. Kids notice that and sense that they are missing out on time with their mother or father,'' Dr Baxter said.

It is only natural that kids want to see more of their parents and have ‘fun’ with them, but unfortunately in today’s reality this has all changed. Most Mothers have to work wether its full time or part time to make ends meet as well as doing the majority of child care and household running (I apologise to the guy’s that do their fair share).

We live in an era of large TV’s, computers, computer games, iPods, iPads etc. that all the kids want not to mention that all of these need add-ons and the power to run them. Most of us no longer live in houses with multiple kids to a bedroom and heaven forbid one bathroom not to mention how many TV’s, DVD players we all feel is now a necessity – if we want to have all this and the second car to ferry the kids around we have no choice but to work.

I listened to a webinar last night where this exact subject was raised as the presenters were a married couple with three children. There answer was to talk to the children about their work and the benefits it gives to all of them. While making goals for themselves they also included the children and goals they want their parents to achieve so they can do ‘fun’ things together. Apparently from time to time their children do complain but as soon as the goals are vocalised they stop – they really do want to go to Disneyland!

I understand this rationalisation to young children is difficult but the best thing we as parents can do is not complain about this to them as unless things change dramatically they will have to do the same thing. Maybe the goals you set with the kids might not be as extravagant as going to Disneyland, it might be an outing to the Movies, but it gives them something to look forward to as well, not to mention seeing goals set and achieved is one of life’s great lessons. 

Enjoy your day :)))