Each week, I’ll talk to a working dad about how he divides his time between work and family. Maybe you can relate to his challenges and be inspired by his experience!
Today we thank Claudiu for the answers, especially for taking him a bit out of his comfort zone. Claudiu is a department manager at a logistics warehouse, father of 4-year-old Paul and 9-month-old Luna. He goes to work every day, commutes 50 km, leaves home at 6:30 in the morning and returns around 17:30.
1. How many children do you have, how old are they and what are their names?
I have two children, Paul, 4 and a half years old and Luna, 9 months old.
2. What are your greatest joys as a father?
So I have someone to play with lego, or with the toy train, and no one comments that I’m wasting time :)))
3. How do you spend time with your child/children, e.g. sports outside or games in the house?
Preferably outside. Paul and I went into the woods on our bikes to get a fern. Fascinating experience in that he helped me get the fern out of the ground, put it in the bag and then plant it at home in a pot. And that afterwards he would ride his bike over the wood on the patio as he saw it in the woods 🙂
4. How often do you play with your child/children and how do you prioritise this in your schedule?
I don’t know what to say, I don’t have a regular schedule.
5. When and how often do you make time for yourself and how important is this to you?
Time for me is very important, to be able to recharge my batteries, to have energy to spend with my children.
6. How much time do you allocate to your life partner and when do you manage to spend quality time together? What cool things do you do?
The coolest thing is that we ride our tandem bikes together, that we go to the mountains together, and when we get time off we go to the movies (Easter and Christmas).
7. What sacrifices have you made to be present in your children’s lives? What did you choose to give up that you did before you became a father?
I’ve given up riding my bike with friends, but I’ll catch up when the little ones grow up 😉
8. Where do you hide so your child doesn’t see you eating something good? 🍫
I don’t hide, I eat when they sleep.
9. What advice would you give to other fathers about their relationship with their children?
Be there for them as much as they can. I am their best example.
Here we are at the end of our chat with Claudiu, who is splitting his time between work on site, the long commute and playing with two wonderful children. His story is full of humor and reminds us that wasting time playing with little ones is not wasted time, but an investment in emotional education as well as precious memories.
But the adventure doesn’t stop there! Every week we bring you a new story, a new dad with unique and valuable experiences to share. You may even find yourself in his challenges or feel inspired by how he overcomes them.
Are you ready to discover more perspectives? Follow us for a weekly dose of inspiration and find out how Romanian fathers divide their time between family and career.
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