A parent who set an example of loving their work might help their kids more than an expensive house.
—Paul Graham
Our instinct is to find that “work-life balance” that so many people have talked about. We aspire to succeed and achieve in each realm, but not if one comes at the expense of the other. We aim instead to silo work, to not let work intersect with our time with our kids.
The problem? Well, where are your kids supposed to learn the importance of a work ethic? How are they supposed to know what a hardworking dad looks like if they never actually get to see it? How are they supposed to learn what work looks like at all? That is also your job. To be the example. There is an old Latin expression: A bove maiori discit arare minor. “The younger ox learns to plow from the elder.” That’s because the oxen would be harnessed together. Not only would the kid get to see their mom or dad do what they did, but they’d be literally strapped into it together, to learn on the job.
Obviously good boundaries are important. Obviously you don’t want your work life to overwhelm or interfere with your home life. But make sure that striving for this balance doesn’t accidentally deprive your kids of an important example that will serve them throughout their lives.