PAUL FRANCISCO is a Managing Director, Diversity Consulting and Sourcing Office from Boston, MA.
FLM: Tell us about your kids and some of the values you are passing down to your child that you learned from your parents?
PF: I have two girls ages 11 and 8. My wife of twelve years, Betty is a former attorney turned entrepreneur. We live in the South End neighborhood in Boston. One of the most important values that I'm trying to inculcate into my daughters is the value of hard work, trying your best and not ever giving up on your dreams. My parents taught me those values and I feel those values have guided me throughout my life and career.
FLM: Often times you want to protect your kids from making the same mistakes you’ve made. What’s your method to helping them wade through life’s madness?
PF: As parents we sometimes become overly protective. We want a better life for them, and we want them to experience life with some of the rights and privileges that perhaps we didn't have. However, there needs to be a fine balance as I also want them to be self-sufficient, street-smart, and be able to decipher right from wrong. It is a balance that is sometimes hard to achieve. We live in different times and the way we grew up in our neighborhoods where the "village" took care of us, is not necessarily
the case today. I learned a lot from hanging
out with all my cousins who were older and
they they taught me how to
take care of myself, and protected
me when needed. My kids don't
have the same environment so it is
incumbent upon my wife and I to
give them experiences, and create
safe environments where they can learn about life in a way that allows them to grow and become strong girls.
FLM: What is one of your most memorable moments with your family (your kids)?
PF: One of the most memorable moments that I shared with my kids was when we recently visited the White House. It was great to see the admiration they have for the institution, and to watch them walk the halls of one of the most historic and important places in our nation. They are huge fans of the Obama's and to be able to give them that experience during the years that President Obama is still in the White House is something that I will cherish for a long time.
FLM: As a busy professional (successful entrepreneur/executive/etc.), how do find time to spend with your kids?
PF: There is no such thing as true work-life balance, as a professional and a parent you have to make sacrifices in order to do both well. One of the things that I try to do is to be present for my kids as often as I can. When I'm home, they have my undivided attention, I participate in all of their extra-curricular activities, I volunteer to coach, and I try not to miss any of the important moments like their recitals, games, or school activities. One of my most cherished memories growing up was when my parents came to my first basketball game. To see them in the stands gave me a sense of confidence and pride that I can't describe. I want my kids to feel the same way, therefore once I leave the office, my time is theirs. There are obviously times when I can’t be there if travel takes me