As a working father of four, I understand how hard it is to balance family life and work commitments. When our first child was born, my wife and I managed that balance well. But as the children grew older and our family expanded, that balance became more difficult to maintain. Work demands increased, and during lockdown I spent most of my day in a closed room moving from one online meeting to another from morning until evening.
Everything changed the day my second son, Dylan, stood outside my door knocking. I asked him to play with his toys, but he refused to leave. When I finally opened the door, I found a three year old with teary eyes looking up at me. I asked why he kept knocking. He said, “Daddy, I miss you.”
That moment cut straight through the noise of life. I had not spent meaningful time with him for three days. I excused myself from the meeting and played army toys with him for the next hour. It was a simple moment, but it opened my eyes.
I realised I had been so focused on creating a future for my family that I had forgotten to be present with them. Many working parents feel the same. We tell ourselves that sacrificing today will secure tomorrow, yet our children need us now more than ever.
Here is a simple practice that changed everything for me.
Set Aside 30 Minutes a Day for Each Family Member
Just thirty minutes. Pure, uninterrupted time that belongs only to the two of you.
Put it in your calendar. Treat it as non negotiable. Let your colleagues know not to disturb you. Let your family know this time is meant for connection.
During this time, do whatever your child chooses. Not what you think is good for them. What they want.
Some dads find themselves at tea parties or getting their hair styled. Others play sports, build Lego, read stories or act out sword fights. The activity does not matter. What matters is that your child leads and you join with openness and warmth.
These moments become gifts that strengthen your relationship every day.
Why This Works
Healthy relationships are built on trust. When you consistently show up for your child, three things happen.
- You reduce self orientation by placing their needs before your own.
- You build intimacy through shared experiences that reveal who they are.
- You show reliability when you keep your promise and honour this time daily.
Over time, your child begins to see you as someone they can trust, confide in and rely on.
Your child will face many challenges in the future.
Only a few of those challenges can be solved by your job or income.
But with a strong relationship, you can guide them through almost anything.
This is the same belief that shapes the way Fairview International School approaches learning. Through strong relationships, positive communication and the values embedded in the International Baccalaureate programme, children grow into confident, caring and resilient learners.
It all begins with time. It grows with consistency. And it lasts far longer than any sacrifice we think we need to make.
