National Take Your Child to Work Day is April 23–and We Want to Hear about Your Experiences
Children of employees of the Washington Corrections Center for Women in Gig Harbor, Wash. pet a dog in the prison’s animal adoption program during a “Take Your Child to Work Day:” event in 2018. Photo Courtesy Washington State Department of Corrections
by Rachel Friederich, ICSEW Communications Chair
National Take Your Child To Work Day, also known as Take Your Daughters and Sons to Work® Day is April 23.
It’s recognized nationally on the fourth Thursday of April each year. The annual event, now in its 26th year, is an educational program in the U.S. and Canada where parents take them to work with them for one day.
From the Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day website:
It encourages girls and boys across the country to dream without gender limitations and to think imaginatively about their family, work and community lives. This national, public education program connects what children learn at school with the actual working world. Children learn that a family-friendly work environment is an employer and family issue and not just a woman’s issue. Take Our Daughters And Sons To Work helps girls and boys across the nation discover the power and possibilities associated with a balanced work and family life.
Equity in the workplace for all genders is a subject ICSEW strives to promote and is a key to our work throughout our committee’s history.
Showing what a child’s parent or mentor in their lives does during the work day is important, but showing them the value of their education, helping them discover the power and possibilities associated with a balanced work and family life, providing them an opportunity to share how they envision the future, and allowing them to begin steps toward their end goals in a hands-on and interactive environment is key to ensuring equity and inclusion remain a key value in workplaces in years to come.
If you or your agency is hosting a Bring Your Child to Work Day, we want to hear from you! We want to share your stories and experiences right here on our Interact Blog. Please send all submissions to icsew@ofm.wa.gov. Please Include “Take Your Child to Work” in the subject line.
In the meantime, check out some tips on how to make Take Your Child to Work Day a Success.