I'm Off To Work
'Tis the cry I utter every morn'
"I'm off to work for the day"
It's not that work is all that great
It's just great to get away
I see her face pressed to the window
She's crying as she says "Bye Dad"
I feel that sorrow in her heart
And now I feel so bad
Should I go or should I stay
And show her how I love her
I could spend time with them all
And tell work not to bother
In the car, the radio is on
I'm listening to the news
It fills the void left by her cries
I can forget about those wees and poos.
At work I can be a man, the boss
I'm not a Dad or husband here
I'm a real man with a real job
Now get to work, no time for fear.
But now I feel I'm torn in two
How can I handle these two roles
I know I need to spend time at work
As well as with those tender souls.
Every day I have to fight that conflict in my heart. I'd love to stay at home and have a day with the family, but I need to go to work. On the other hand I'm really pretty glad most days to be able to get away from the little kids and have an "adult" life. Now I know that doesn't really sound terribly good either from a Work perspective (where my boss wouldn't like to think I was tempted not to come in) nor from a home perspective (where my family and especially my wife would be disappointed to think that I enjoy getting away for the day. Though she knows that's really what I think. She is my wife after all).
It's all just part of the conflict that comes with the territory for any father. It's knowing how to handle the balance between the two that provide the key to success. Yes, it is a balance but not a compromise. The father is ordained by God to be the provider for the family as well as father and husband and it is possible to fully perform both roles with the time given and not compromise. What we need is to know the right timings. When to go to work, when to come home. When to spend time with the family and when to work back because we're busy at work. When to make private time with your wife and when to take the kids to the park.
The "art" of being a good father and husband is not found in one extreme or another but in both. Being devoted extremely to your family and your wife and extremely committed and responsible at work. The solution is found in the following steps:
Putting others first and your self last. Selfishness is the last thing you can afford.Praying and having an open communication with God. He provides strategies that will allow you to meet all the requirements without compromise.
Communicating regularly and honestly with your wife about all things that are going on. No secrets here please.
Written by York.
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