The Dignity and Value of Work Through the Eyes of My Children
“Man must work, both because the Creator has commanded it and because of his own humanity, which requires work in order to be maintained and developed. Man must work out of regard for others, especially his own family, but also for the society he belongs to, the country of which he is a child, and the whole human family of which he is a member, since he is the heir to the work of generations and at the same time a sharer in building the future of those who will come after him in the succession of history” (Pope St. John Paul II, “Laborem Exercens”).
Bearing Witness to the Rewards of Work
If you want to witness the beauty of life in 30 minutes or less, visit the carpool pickup line at an elementary school when moms, dads, and other caregivers gather in anticipation of the next act of the afternoon. Kids are finally free from classroom decorum and ready for adventure. It’s the intersection of home and work.
I remember one such afternoon vividly. My middle daughter, Claire, then aged 11, ran arm-in-arm with a fellow student to greet me at my window. “Mom, guess what?” Claire beamed. “Megan knows what a payday is!”
As a mother of four, paydays are holidays. They happen frequently throughout the month, unless you are married to a teacher (like me), which often reduces a household’s income stream to one single day. Like Christmas, Easter, and other celebrations, our family’s paydays were marked on the kitchen calendar. The kids would count the square blocks and stare at the colorful grid on the wall with wonder, knowing the exact date when they would witness the rewards of work.
It might have been a happy accident that afternoon when Claire found her payday comrade. Others, like me, would say the Holy Spirit had a hand in it. Making that connection with another student who experienced the same family consciousness between paydays was so visceral and brought so much joy to my daughter. Many of her classmates had parents with more fluid access to credit or cash. Claire often didn’t understand how a family of six didn’t dine out every other night or, later, as a high school freshman, when all the other girls in her classes had shiny MacBooks and she was toting a Chromebook and felt like she didn’t belong.
One of the seven Catholic social teaching themes is the dignity of work and the rights of workers. It is a crucial component of being a contributing member to our society and having the ability to thrive. For Catholic women who understand the drive to succeed in business, “work” is not a four-letter word. It’s a vocation that is constantly evolving. I’m encouraged by the tempo of today’s work culture for women, particularly those who are comfortable displaying their faith symbolically and through meaningful impact in the business sector.
A Front-row Seat
My children had a front-row seat to see how work contributed to the family and their unique role in it. Stretching groceries until the end of the month translated to creative budgeting skills. Wanting a new backpack when last year’s was usable required deliberate patience. For me, balancing the needs of myself and a family with the compensation provided from a job was a duty I embraced.
But it’s not solely about the money. Children see their parents’ routine and soak up the rhythms of work. Years ago, when my career in financial services included long days away from home, my children would tell their friends I worked in a big office filled with unlimited access to candy. That was the tangible thing they saw while visiting me at work. Now, as young adults, my children realize that a routine (some grind, some glory, and a lot of grace) brought holiness to the family. This holiness is not perfection but something that sets us apart as Catholic women in business.
Our children experience our career highs and lows and may not want to follow in our footsteps. That’s OK. I know that my kids learned from me and are now putting their lived experience into practice as employees themselves. My son recently called me “a warrior” while describing to his sisters how I navigated work and home—a compliment that includes grit, fight, and perseverance. Sometimes, it can take your breath away when your child reflects on something that you were a part of but were too busy to fully take in.
My carpool days ended years ago. I miss them and so many rituals my children and I created when they were younger. I’m still at the intersection of home and work, just entering a new season with adult children. What I do know is that my children realize the dignity and value of work. That’s my payday.
Colleen McNatt is a wife and mother of four adult children who lives in San Diego, California. A corporate dropout since 2017, she currently works as a freelancer and grant writer for social services agencies with an emphasis on homelessness, food insecurity, and Catholic-friendly causes. Connect with her on mcnattmedia.com, Instagram, Twitter, or LinkedIn.