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As 2018 comes to a close, so too does my primary caregiver leave, a newly-extended benefit at my company that has given me the chance to think about what I may have previously taken for granted.
So before the holidays kick in, I’d like to share ten things I’ve been grateful for in 2018!
10. Social Media. Without it, I wouldn’t have been able to share my story and connect with so many people, new and old, these past several months—I’ve been emotionally moved by what people do to support their families. #ThisIsHowYouDad is so much more than a hashtag for me: it’s become a way of life centered around connection.
9. Humility. Meaningful work, at home or in the office, shouldn’t be taken for granted. At Bloomberg, I lead a team of highly specialized sales professionals working on regulatory solutions and alternative datasets. Conversely, during my primary caregiver leave, I have been potty-training my four- and two-year-old, working the night shift with the newborn and serving as de facto IT support for my wife’s private practice.
8. Innocence. As parents, one of our responsibilities is to raise our children to become well-adjusted, independent, contributing members of society. We do not want them to be clones of ourselves, but rather unique individuals who make their own mark on the world. With that said, when my son tells me he “wants to grow up and be like Daddy,” it’s a reminder to me that he won’t be four forever and I should cherish the innocence that he and his sisters look at the world around them with.
7. Scientific and Cultural Advances. Let’s put it this way: I’m glad I’m raising children in 2018 and not 1918. This study on the shift in gender equality attitudes is one big reason why.
6. Savings. Gone are the days of shopping for one or even two. I’m shopping for five now, so every discount, deal, and coupon is worth my attention.
5. Sesame Street. There’s something very comforting in knowing that after all these years, Sesame Street is still a 7:00AM staple on the Public Broadcasting Service. Although my wife and I have a very strict screen-time policy in our household—30 minutes every weekday—I’ve had the opportunity to travel back in time and catch up with old friends like Big Bird, Cookie Monster, and Elmo. At the same time, I also get to create new memories with my kids as we learn about the “letter of the day” and how many cookies are in the cookie jar. As much as the world has changed over the last four decades, it’s nice to know that you can still count on someone to tell you how to get to Sesame Street.
4. Ricky Nelson. Along with Elvis Presley and Pat Boone, Ricky Nelson was one of America’s earliest teen idols. With chart-topping songs like “Hello Mary Lou” (his signature song) and “Travelin’ Man,” Nelson had an amazing 33 Top 40 hits in a seven-year period. Why am I so thankful for him? Apart from being a fan and growing up listening to his music on Oldies 1150AM, every time I play his music, he can stop little Kavya from crying and put her to sleep. Yes folks, his voice is that smooth.
3. Ray Arata and the Better Man Conference. On November 6, 2018, I had the privilege of speaking at the Better Man Conference, a one-day event founded by Ray Arata, with resources, support, and a community to engage men as allies in creating an inclusive culture. I spoke on a panel entitled, “Paid Parental Leave and Being an Ally: The Ultimate Gender Partner.” It was a wonderful opportunity to share my story and the factors that went into my decision to take primary caregiver leave. At the same time, I met so many like-minded people who believe in the fight for equality. It gives me hope that the world my daughters will grow up in will be a much more inclusive one.
2. Bloomberg LP. When I first joined the company in July of 2010, I was engaged to my wife at the time. Fast forward eight years later and I am the happily married father of three. Throughout it all, the company has been there for me and my family. I will forever be in its debt for the privilege it has afforded me during my primary caregiver leave and for that I will always be #BBGProud.
1. My Wife. The love of my life, she is my everything. Simply put, without her, our family would not be here. ‘Nuff said.
Krishna Nadella
Senior Sales Manager, Bloomberg LP
Krishna C. Nadella is a senior sales manager at Bloomberg LP.