A recovering workaholic confesses why 'time with your kids is non-refundable' — and parents felt that

People often assume they can do both — stay connected to family while staying on top of work. But there's a difference between being physically present and actually showing up, and the line gets blurry when phones are always within reach and deadlines follow you home. For some, it takes a missed moment to see what's really been slipping away, and Yousif Hussain shared a post on LinkedIn reflecting on that exact shift. Titled "Time with your kids is non-refundable," it was a personal admission as a 'recovering workaholic,' written after years of trying to juggle too much at once.

He wrote, "I used to think I could do both: Be present while checking emails. Be engaged while thinking about work. I was wrong." He credits his daughters, aged two and four, for showing him what he'd been missing. "They notice when you're half-there. They see through the 'just one minute.' They remember the distracted nods." He explained what those "quick checks" were actually costing him. "Your phone doesn't just steal 2 minutes. It steals the momentum of connection. The spark in their eyes when they're mid-story. The spontaneous 'Daddy, guess what?'" To change things, he started small and stayed consistent.

"Now my phone stays in another room. Work has clear boundaries. When I'm with them, I'm fully with them." He also explained that "sometimes work needs attention... But I've learned to be honest about it: 'Daddy needs 30 minutes to focus, then we'll play.' They understand more than we think." He acknowledged, "I'm still not perfect. Some evenings, work creeps in. Some weekends, deadlines loom. But I'm learning. The deadlines will wait. The emails will pause. Their childhood? It runs on its own clock." He further added, "One day, they won't wait by the door for you to come home. They won't ask for 'just one more story.' They won't need you to check for monsters. Make the choice today. Before it becomes tomorrow's regret. It's not about being perfect. It's about being present when it matters most."

Alongside his words, he included a video of a father repeatedly brushing off his young son's attempts to connect, always saying, "Not now, I'm busy." As he grows older, the expressions change, but the father's response doesn't, and by the time the father looks up, his son is a teenager walking away. This idea of time with kids being "non-refundable" is something researchers have found evidence for as well. A 2023 study published in Frontiers in Psychology found that when parents spend more time with their children, especially during everyday activities like meals, play, and conversation, it has a strong, positive effect on children’s well-being. 

The post resonated widely, with many readers adding their own thoughts in response. Ulrich M. commented, "This is a very important reminder about the value of presence, especially with family. It's easy to get caught up in work, but those moments with children are precious." Vera Woodhead wrote, "Such an apt video, Yousif Hussain. My children are now adults, and I can honestly say that it went in the blink of an eye. Quality time being fully present with your children is priceless and finite — you can't go back." Edward Frank Morris added, "Time is truly our most precious commodity. That's why I always respect it when I use it. Whether it's my own or someone else's." Stacey Summers shared, "I just watched this with my 6-year-old son, and he told me it was a really important video. Loved listening to him layer on his own thoughts."