In many places of work there is a special day called ‘take your daughter or son to work day’.  For me that has been every day for the last 6 years or so.  Today was the last ‘take my son to work day’ for the foreseeable future.  Jonathan and I have worked together at two different companies with two completely different environments.  It has been a learning experience for us both.

First, during the work day, I am Keith.  After work I am Dad.  He didn’t seem to have any issue switching back and forth.  For me switching back and forth was more difficult.  At first, and for a while, I expected more from him than other employees.  I pushed too hard at times.  I’m not sure I’m totally balanced now but I think I’m better at it.  Jonathan didn’t report directly to me at the current company to prevent any conflict of interest.  But he did report functionally to me as far as day to day programming and support tasks.  So with respect to performance I know what he is capable of.  That’s a unique position to be in, knowing what your son does for work, and then at a very detailed level.  I knew in general what my dad did for a living but I never went to work with him.  I tried to explain what I did but I’m not sure what I did made sense to my dad.  Jonathan and I knew what was going on with each other very well.  And often did each other’s work when needed.

Our after work guideline was ‘no work discussions’.  I say guideline because if it were a rule it would be broken often.  One thing that impacts that is friends at work.  We have some of the same friends and definitely the same upper management.  So discussions go between friends, work and back to friends and we talk about the same people the whole time.  So now he will be working at a different place with different people and opportunities.  It doesn’t mean the old friends are gone, just new opportunities for new friends.  Jonathan does well at merging his friend groups.  So likely the current crew will meet the new crew someday.  For the introverts that we both are he is better than me at making a lot of friends.  In fact one whole department that he wrote an application for and spends time helping had a going away lunch for him yesterday.  I’ve never had that anywhere I’ve worked!

So while Jonathan has some adjusting to do at a new place of work on Monday, I’ve got some adjusting to do as well.  The team will suffer a while to keep up in his absence but I have the utmost confidence in them.  I’ve started the HR task today of searching for a replacement.  And we have a new hire starting in a few weeks for another spot on the team, so things don’t sit still for long.  My biggest adjustment will be a change when I walk in the door on Monday.  I usually look to the right as I walk in the department and say ‘good morning’ to Jonathan because he got to work an hour before me.  Now the chair will be empty for a while and one less ‘good morning’ to say on the way in.  It is a small event but one of those things that starts my day.

Having watched my son daily mature as a man and as a programmer has been a real privilege.  I’ll miss the interaction but I’m also excited about what the future holds for him.  I’ve seen growth and maturity in my other two sons but I’ve had to watch them from a distance.  Living ‘take your son to work day’ has been an honor for me.  Jonathan, I’m proud of you.  For your work ethic, the way you care for people beyond just the required work interaction, the things you’ve taught others in the team and the things you’ve taught me, just the person you are.  I know you’ll do the same where ever you go because that is the man you are.   So the best of luck in your new endeavor!  And maybe you can ‘take your dad to work’ some day!