Happy Almost Father’s Day
Seven years ago we wrote our first official Father’s Day email. Comparing then and now, we can quickly see how the courageous steps of everyday fathers (and mothers) – are helping us collectively rewrite history.
We can see this in the “first step” stories we shared with you seven years ago. Read on to see what some of these dads are doing today.
We can also see this in the historical event taking place today, June 9th – the first of its kind discussion at the White House on the state of working dads. (Click here to learn more, or here to see Jessica speak.)
ThirdPath Institute with a number of leading experts, working dads, business leaders and Administration officials will be in attendance to share insights, explore the roles of dads today, and discuss how businesses can create win-win cultures that enable working dads to be more involved parents and better employees.
We at ThirdPath have always known that men can play an important role in nurturing their children just like women – and often all that is required is the encouragement to take the first step.
As we look ahead, we want to encourage more men to take this step – whether as the father of a child or as men supporting other dads. Women can also play a role by supporting their partners, brothers, uncles or grandfathers to take that first step. Collectively we are rewriting history in a way that will have a positive impact on our families and in our society as a whole.
Here’s what some of fathers we worked with had to say about their first step – in 2007 – and what they are doing today.
Sean – 2007 primary parent of a young school aged daughter and son. 2014 Sean and his wife have now reversed roles.
First Step: Our first step was rather simple – my wife got pregnant. When this happened, lots of family history came forward for both of us, and the simple result was that we both wanted a parent to be at home with our child full-time.
At that time, she loved her job in advertising, and I was ambivalent, at best, about my job as a lawyer. I am not sure who raised the possibility of me staying at home first, but once it was on the table it just made sense. So after her maternity leave ended, I began to stay home with our baby son.
Today: We had a second child, and for over eight years I fashioned a career out of my interest in writing that included part-time teaching at the college level and freelance writing. All of my work flexed around the children’s schedules. More recently my wife and I traded roles. Now she is the parent who is with them after school, but the patterns set in the early years mean I still play a very active role.
Bill – 2007 Shared Care father of three young boys. 2014 Bill has launched a whole new career.
First Step: The first step for me was taking paternity leave when I was at a large law firm. The policy was gender neutral and allowed for three months paid leave. Although not used very much by the men at the firm, I took advantage of it and that really helped give me clarity about how important it was for me to make space in my life to spend significant time with my children. I ended up extending that leave for an additional month (unpaid) and when I returned back to the firm, I negotiated a schedule where I worked one day from home. That was the start.
Ultimately I realized that none of the law firm environments I had been in were consistent with my goal of balance, and I moved to a compliance role at a financial services firm. After a year there, I negotiated a reduced hour schedule like my wife had done.
Today: I went back to school, and I have now started my own web design business based out of my home. This gives me the flexibility to be available for my sons (now ages 16, 14 and 9) when they are home from school. My wife has continued to work at the same company and she is currently working a full-time schedule.
Why not join our Fathers Day webinar on Thursday June 12 at 12.30pm – 1.30pm ET or listen to the edited version of the webinar on our Thursdays with ThirdPath web site page a few days later!