Working dad, how does that work?!

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Want2get on? is a unique career coaching service that offers 1:1 support for those who

want to draw upon their Christian faith and apply it in a practical way to their job situation.

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Working dad, how does that work?!

The foundations of our male

The big question, of course, is what is left of our male

roles disappear? What can we do about it?

In the bible (Colossians 2: 6-9), Paul lets us into a secret about Jesus’ strength. Despite

his position of being God, he didn’t hang onto this title, but instead did something that

many of us struggle with, he humbled himself. I have a feeling that if I had adopted this

mindset, I wouldn’t have felt so much pain after losing my job!

What was the result? Jesus’ father exalted him, in other words promoted him in rank. If we

too are able to humble ourselves, i.e. not get angry and stress about our situation, then

God will also lift us up out of our situation. I believe that in this place, God will show

true male-ness, and provide for our needs.




Tel: 07503 177126 [email protected]

Working dad, how does that work?!

I was near the Armenian border travelling on a

ramshackle bus. Suddenly, out of the window I s

something that would stay with me forever. An old

man was reclined on a donkey, smoking a long

pipe – and very much at peace with the world,

whilst behind him trudged his wif

over, under the weight of a haystack carried across

her shoulders.

In our society, traditional male roles have changed

radically over the last few decades, and films like

Billy Elliot and The Full Monty eloquently show the

pain men go through when their roles in life

change. One client recently told me that after

losing his job he saw the video of Freddie Mercury

dressed up in drag, vacuuming the house and

singing ‘I want to break free’. He instantly saw

himself reflected in that image, dress, curlers and

all!

foundations of our male-ness

The big question, of course, is what is left of our male-ness when our jobs and traditional

roles disappear? What can we do about it?

9), Paul lets us into a secret about Jesus’ strength. Despite

position of being God, he didn’t hang onto this title, but instead did something that


mindset, I wouldn’t have felt so much pain after losing my job!

sult? Jesus’ father exalted him, in other words promoted him in rank. If we


God will also lift us up out of our situation. I believe that in this place, God will show

ness, and provide for our needs.



[email protected]

Armenian border travelling on a

ramshackle bus. Suddenly, out of the window I saw

something that would stay with me forever. An old

man was reclined on a donkey, smoking a long

and very much at peace with the world,

whilst behind him trudged his wife, literally doubled

over, under the weight of a haystack carried across

In our society, traditional male roles have changed

radically over the last few decades, and films like

Billy Elliot and The Full Monty eloquently show the

through when their roles in life

change. One client recently told me that after

losing his job he saw the video of Freddie Mercury

dressed up in drag, vacuuming the house and

singing ‘I want to break free’. He instantly saw

, dress, curlers and

ness when our jobs and traditional

9), Paul lets us into a secret about Jesus’ strength. Despite

position of being God, he didn’t hang onto this title, but instead did something that


sult? Jesus’ father exalted him, in other words promoted him in rank. If we


God will also lift us up out of our situation. I believe that in this place, God will show us our


One of two groups

Many of us who are dads often struggle with changes to our male roles, and will fall into

two basic groups:

1. Cannot find time to spend with our families, or

2. Having difficulty adapting to a new non-bread-winner role

If you see yourself fitting into one of these groups, then here’s your chance to try your

prayer ‘muscles’ out. God wants you to be in work, but equally He also wants you to be a

dad to your children and a husband to your wife. He will provide a way if you pray. Without

trying to anticipate God’s answers to your prayers, here are some practical ways that could

provide an answer to your working-dad life balance!

Establishing a working-dad balance

• Simply ask your employer if you can work more flexibly. It's also worth considering

what industry would suit you best – research suggests that digital, online

businesses and public sectors tend to be more flexible. Approach your boss with a

game plan of how the arrangement would work and how it can benefit the

organisation.

• In your home have one master calendar so you don’t accidently miss important

events like the school Christmas concert. Also, save annual leave for these

important dates.

• Say No: Determine what additional work activities you can turn down and which are

necessary so you can free up more of your time outside the office.

• Establish a "No Work" Zone: Put down the smartphone and avoid checking emails

from the time you arrive home until after your children have gone to sleep.

• Make sure you know your paternity rights! Visit www.dad.info

If you’re out of work and feel like you’re ‘drowning’ under the weight of childcare duties,

then as a man this can be a tough place to be. However, God’s promise to you today is

that you can enjoy the time you do have with your children and at the same time trust in

Him for a change in season.



www.want2geton.co.uk Tel: 07503 177126 [email protected]

Image by Ambro