Summary:

Trying to be a better dad will benefit your work.

Develop a more ‘human’ image in your workplace.

Gain perspective by getting out of the ‘goldfish bowl’ of work for a while.

Become a more relaxed, healthy and interesting person by not overworking and becoming stale.

Your ‘treasure chest’ of memories and experiences will be full, so you can relax – it’s like knowing you have money in the bank for when you need it.

You will have a better sex life with your partner.

The children will become your good friends more and more as they get older, if you are close to them.

You will have more meaning, love and acceptance in your life.

You may rediscover how to play and stay on a learning curve.

Your children may keep you better connected to your community.

If you don’t work out the cost of implementing some of the suggestions in this book, you could fail.

Show leadership about the importance of fathering.

Be aware that if anyone is staying late they may be avoiding something at home. You may be able to encourage them to confront these problems.

Support men who make decisions to be with their family instead of their work.

Encourage good fathering.

Make work father-friendly.

Idea for action: Schedule one change per week in your work environment to encourage good parenting.

During a Test match series I would often sit in a hotel room in Pakistan, where the food is killing me, just thinking about my kids in their sports on the weekends and realising I would not be there.I used to ring the family as often as possible – until the money ran out or the phone was not able to be connected (in India and Pakistan). After games finished I would rush back to the hotel, desperate to ringhome. I asked them about their lives. I have to confess that I usually asked them more about their sports than their homework, but I guess that is just the sort of interest I have.
Geoff Marsh

When I’m overseas I ring every day. Sometimes I only speak for
three minutes, but I ask them what they’re doing. Often, of course, they’re busy, and can’t really say much to me, but it’s important to ring anyway. I always remember the exams they’re doing, their sporting functions and their social events, and I ask them about them.
Peter Le Soeuf

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