Don't fall for the trap of becoming a great businessman and a terrible dad

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Thank you. Yes. We can so early get to the state of “yeah I’m doing this for them” when really it’s for us. They won’t forget. Just ask them.

I was gone over 50% for work. I stopped immediately after I came home and my very young son didn’t recognize me and hid behind his mom.

I'm the second generation in our family business and me and my sisters have been building and running it for the last 11 years. I'm becoming a father to a daughter in august. I'm NOT repeating my fathers mistakes. I'll be there for her, nothing is more important.

Im glad you said this. People go into business wanting all the money in the world. You dont need all, you only need enough.

Yes, children need a parent who is present. But children also need: a safe home, food on the table without stress, access to education, decent clothes, and the opportunity to pursue hobbies and develop. Being "always there" while living in chronic financial stress is not a magic solution. Children sense their parents' anxiety, exhaustion, and despondency, even if they are physically present. Here is what's truly important: Not missing everything for the sake of work. Not sacrificing your entire family for a "future" that might never arrive. But also, not sacrificing that future just to watch cartoons on the couch with your child while debts pile up. If you chase only money, you lose meaning. If you chase only closeness, you lose your foundation. Balance isn't about 50/50. It's about knowing what is more important right now - and acting with clear judgment, not out of guilt. You need to find a strategic approach to life where you don't choose between family and work, but instead build a system where you are: Sufficiently provided for: This doesn't mean millions, just a stable income. Genuinely involved in your children's lives: Not 24/7, but present for the important moments. Able to give quality attention with genuine interest: To know what your child is going through - their feelings, fears, and passions. A friend to your child: Someone they can always turn to without fear or shame. It's like in chess: you must keep the key squares under control. The time when a child needs you is always finite. Afterward, they won't need you in the same way. But they will either remember: "He was there when I needed him most." or "He was always busy." And the second one can't be fixed with gifts.

We as parents always choose our children over work and even to date, You may make less money but you are lot more happy. So no regrets! It’s all about balance.

Yea. Be careful whose advice you listen to. Look at their life, if you don’t want yours to look like theirs, then let it slide by