Bring a Stuffed Animal to Work Day: A Free, Sweet Parenting Idea

Here’s a free, sweet parenting idea: bring a stuffed animal to work.

Last week Jamie did the cutest thing for Hadley that made her think she has the greatest dad in the world (she does), and I thought the idea was too cute not to share with you all too!

After he dropped her off at school, he looked back and saw that she’d brought along her beloved stuffed cat Sophia and left it in the car. Something gave him the spontaneous idea to bring the stuffed animal to work with him and photograph all of Sophia’s adventures. When he walked in from work that night, he gave Sophia to Hadley and then got out his phone to show her what Sophia did that day.

Bring a Stuffed Animal to Work

I wish I would have thought to videotape her reaction, but I truly didn’t expect her to squeal with delight the way she did! With every picture, she howled with laughter and when he was done showing her the pictures, she threw her arms around Jamie’s neck and gave him the biggest kiss on the cheek, saying “Thank you Daddy!”

The only “problem” with Sophia’s day of adventuring was that Hadley assumed her stuffed dog Mocha was jealous and needed a day out as well (I mean DUH, DAD.) So, the next morning, Hadley greeted Jamie with Mocha and asked i an irresistible way if he could have a fun day at work too. Jamie could have said no, but he said yes and snuck that dog into his work backpack just liked he’d done with the cat the day prior.

Hadley counted down the minutes until Jamie got home and screamed when she heard the garage door open. She scrolled through his photos and laughed her head off, just like she’d done the day prior.

He was a trooper and did it one more time with her pet horse named Austin but then called it quits when she came out with a fourth stuff animal. 😉 He’s totally not against doing this again in the future just for fun when Hadley doesn’t expect it, but enough was enough for one week. Somebody’s gotta do some real work around here. 😉

Anyway, I thought this spontaneous “bring a stuffed animal to work day” thing was the cutest bonding activity between daddy and daughter and wanted to share the idea. It cost absolutely nothing but brought a heck of a ton of joy to not only our Kindergartener, but also to her dad who felt like he’d done something right in the parenting realm in that moment.

If your child’s beloved stuffed pet/baby doll/etc. goes on an adventure in the future, tag me on Instagram! Jamie, Hadley, and me would LOVE to see!

Let’s chat!

What is your child’s special item at the moment? Hadley calls herself a “cat mom” and adores this ratty gray cat!

More: 6 Homemade Christmas Gift Ideas to Craft with Your Child | Valentines Day Cards to Craft with Your Child