One of our company Vice Presidents became a grandma last year. Her son and daughter-in-law both work for us so the new little lady has quickly become the official office-munchkin. To-and-fro she scurries about the offices, her little legs buzzing out sounds of a happy child hard at work distributing a selection of office toys throughout the building. Standing a full one-and-a-half feet tall she fits perfectly under our tables and takes great delight to pop up with a shout in the midst of our adult work time.

Now, I realize to some this may seem a very unprofessional business climate, but I am not of such an opinion. How wonderful it is to hear the laughter of little children during the day. Nothing could possibly brighten up an office in such a fashion. At our offices we have a special room just for the children of our employees to come and play, watch TV and do homework. It is one of the best investments we ever made, and most importantly it permits the children of our employees more time with their parents. Time, which is becoming more rare every year in our society.

As the editor of Alle-Kiski Today I travel quite a bit to local businesses. Over the years I have encountered more and more business owners who bring children into office based work places at least a portion of the day. I love it. I always try to stop and talk with the little ones and always find them very bright and socially engaging.

Nothing can replace the personal time of a parent with a child. I tip my hat to parents who take time to do whatever they must do to spend time with their children now a day, whether at the office or late at night huddled bedside around a first grade reader book. It is time invested well.