Thomas Perkins on How Working Dads Can Stay Present Even When Work Pulls Them Away

For many working dads, being present gets harder when work demands more time, attention, and energy. Thomas Perkins spent much of his career in environments where being physically available was not always possible, which forced him to think differently about what presence actually looks like. Thomas is a retired U.S. Navy Master Diver, Bronze Star recipient, father, author, and former corporate leader whose career included combat zones, deep-sea operations, and high-stakes leadership. Through all of those transitions, fatherhood remained the constant that shaped how he thought about purpose, attention, and the responsibility to make his kids feel heard and valued. Thomas shares how to: Stay connected with your kids even when work pulls you away Make limited time together feel focused and meaningful Help your kids feel heard, valued, and important Use preparation and repetition to build confidence and resilience Create routines that help kids handle unexpected challenges Recognize when your children need something different from you Redefine success around the life your kids want to build for themselves Thomas offers a thoughtful perspective on fatherhood, meaningful work, presence at home, work life balance, and the challenges working dads face when responsibility pulls them in different directions. His approach shows that presence is less about always being physically available and more about making sure your kids know they have your attention when it matters. Dig Deeper Civil Air Patrol Bronze Star Motocross Barney Denny’s What I Like About You Follow Thomas On his website On Instagram On Facebook On LinkedIn Get his book, A Life Not Worth Living Follow Gap to Gig On Instagram On TikTok On X On YouTube On your podcast player of choice Sign up for the Gap to Gig newsletter Follow Michael On LinkedIn