Moments spent with your children are priceless

(The Star) “Sacrifices generally have to be made for unusual success – whichever career path you follow,” Johnson wrote.

“And for those inventors and corporate pioneers whose life is their business, then it is all too clear where their ultimate priorities lie.

“Yet almost every entrepreneur I have known regrets not spending enough time with their children when they were growing up.”

VS.

We have clocked up 16 years of being full-time homemakers. Our well-meaning friends, especially financial planners and unit trust consultants, like to talk about our foregone income.

They tell us that the reason we cannot send our children for an overseas education is that we did not build up our financial nest when we were most able to.

http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2009/6/22/business/4122361&sec=business

Do we always have to make tough choices ? Career(business) vs. family ? I am not trying to preach to anyone but just express personal opinion. To begin with, I don't think I am a perfect father. With that qualifier, as usual, let me make some pragmatic comments. Most people will think every consequence is a result of our own decision. In another word, they think you always have a choice --- to choose career or family. In real life, it is not so simple. We all born with equal rights but not equal talents. Some will end up as millionaires, billionaires, some will end up with something else -- forever cannot meet the ends.

If one is an entrepreneur, they will constantly battle with all kind of problems, mortgage whatever they have to build a successful business, it may be easy for others to do arm-chair critic saying they have a choice -- give up everything and spend some time with their children. If they hit a roadblock, it not a choice to balance (win-win)but it's a win-lose proposition -- concentrate 100% to remove all obstacles or get wipe out. If know many friends got wipe out more than once before suceeded in business.

If one needs to hold 3 jobs to cope with the family expenses, again are you going to tell the poor chap to reduce 3 jobs to 1 job - reduce one house to 1 room, 3 meals to 1 meal? Think about that.

My pragmatic view is try to live to the fullest if you have rich parents. If one has poor parents, do not be disheartened, accept the shortcomings, fight to break the vicious cycle.

To those with comfortable job but not spending enough time with their children -- shame on them. Boo....boooo......

Happy belated Father's Day!