There are occasions when I’m called to work longer hours than normal – when we have a major project or a presentation, or when stuff goes sideways, which it does occasionally in every business. Normally, I just do it. But there are times when I refuse, times I see as sacrosanct. Those times are the times I spend with my child every week.
Not only do I reserve these times for her alone, I’m pretty selective about taking calls during those times. Unless it’s super urgent, I don’t answer my phone, and I’m certainly not answering email while we’re together.
The one thing a child deserves is your undivided attention when you're together. Set aside your phone. Share on XWhy is this? Because I made the choice to have a child. She didn’t ask to be brought into this world. She didn’t ask to have divorced parents, either. To be honest, she’s never asked for my undivided attention. But to me, that’s the one thing I can give to her consistently, and that she deserves from me in the times we’re together.