Have you made plans for Take your child to work day, which happens every fourth Thursday in April? This year's theme is Making choices for a better world. You can get involved with planning for your community, and learn more about it at http://www.daughtersandsonstowork.org.

When the tradition began in the early nineties, my daughters were already accustomed to helping me with some of the simpler tasks of running my home-based newsletter business. They folded newsletters, and stamped, stuffed and licked envelopes. They did it for free, for Mom. Ah, well, that was then, and... lots of time has passed. Now they're in college. Together we applied for ACT tests, colleges and loans. I filled out forms online, folded forms and stamped and stuffed and licked envelopes. I did it for free, for them.

My husband and I have both taken our kids to work. In April, 1997, I took my eleven year old to a temporary office job I had in Highlands Ranch. A blizzard hit that morning, so I gingerly crawled along down the C-470 loop from Lakewood. Spinouts, blowing and drifting snow was not keeping me from a once-a-year opportunity to take my youngster to work with me. We arrived a little late, but not bad considering the number of SUVs and other vehicles my rear wheel drive 1982 Volvo station wagon passed on the way. I remember little about work that day. I know we snapped pictures of each other at our desks, posing to look productive.

In 2001, I took my other daughter to work at the American Cancer Society. By the time she was thoroughly bored with my job in planned giving, she and the other kids were called by a couple of the staff to engage in games and hands-on activities and health lessons that emphasized the danger of cigarettes and other health concerns.

Surprisingly, the day was not developed by employers to get free, legal child labor. It was created for the kids' sake; so they can see what Mom and Dad do all day. They learn how we make money so they can get stuff. More importantly, it's an opportunity for us to role model hard work, dedication, employee relations, professionalism and, hopefully, it's a chance for them to learn a few skills to share with their teacher and classmates. They get to view one small cog in America's daily grind. It's also a lot of fun to get out of school for a day.

Regarding this year's theme, what choices would you make in your office, home or neighborhood for a better world? Consider events that take place this month; Earth Day on the 22nd, and Arbor Day on the 25th. April is National Garden month! A favorite children's book that I read to my little girls is called, "The Lupine Lady." It's about an old woman who wanted to make the world a more beautiful place. She ordered flower seeds from a catalog. When they arrived, she walked all over her little seaside town, scattering them everywhere. Soon purple lupines adorned the roadways and hillsides.

I don't know if it's legal to scatter flower seed on Green Mountain, but I will plant flowers in my garden. There are lots of ways to make our world better. It's better when people help other people, or when we help God's creatures. I like to contribute some of my time and money to organizations which support human and animal needs.

Do you have something to tell your clients or customers about how your organization is making choices for a better world? I would like to help create the message for your newsletter, brochure or other communication vehicle. Please take a tour through my Web site, www.gailkirkegaard.biz. Send me an E-mail or call me before you leave. Before the end of the month, let's discuss ways we can work together to make a better world.

Gail

Gail Kirkegaard
Business Writing Services
E-mail: gail@gailkirkegaard.biz
Phone: 720-201-8743