I had an interesting 'discussion' last night with the father of one of Katie's schoolfriends.
He said that he was doing the best thing for his family by working away from home for 3 days a week...and by focusing on earning as much money as he could so that he could retire at age 50 (in 15 years' time).
Sound familiar?
He also said that on a number of occasions, his work would come ahead of his family because..."I've got the next 40-60 years to spend with my family".
I heard the familiar 'reason' for doing what he did, as, because he wanted the 'best' for his children...it made sense for him to work as hard as he could...and earn as much money as he could.
He didn't agree that, in fifteen years' time, his daughter (who would then be 22) might not even care about a father who was 'absent' for a lot of her youth.
The thing is...I could empathise with him, because I WAS like that a few years ago (albeit to a lesser degree).
But...he couldn't 'get' that what was important were what the needs of his wife and children were NOW...and not in fifteen years' time!
What do YOU think?
Am I wrong to dismiss possible ASSUMED future 'financial' happiness at the expense of having a much better family life NOW, today?
Posted by vurnumg
