A father who is not present could be annoying.

If you're not around to see your children grow, they will be used to your absence. 

When you finally do have time when the kids are older, they will be used to not having you around, and they will feel awkward around you.

They won't know what to say, since you were not there when they needed you most.

You were too busy doing what you thought was best for them by earning more money, but you lost your kids in the meantime. 

There is nothing wrong with earning more money, but at what cost?

You always have to weigh the pros and cons when choosing an occupation that requires a significant amount of travel.

The pay might be good, but don't forget about your children, which is more precious wealth.

Not only are children a form of wealth, but they are a trust from Allah. 

We are responsible for their upbringing!

Unfortunately the village doesn't exist like it used to anymore, so you can't raise your children the way you were raised. 

Perhaps your father was also not around as much as you would have liked or as much as he should have been, but don't let that bleed into your tarbiyah for your children. 

Your children don't really care about the fancy clothes and gadgets, they want time with you.

The only reason kids care about these superficial things is because it might make them more accepted among their peers. 

Your child just wants to be recognized and appreciated. 

That should be coming from you, the father.

If they have quality time with their father, they will not care excessively about superficial things.

My father didn't travel for work, but he worked in one place and we lived in another state.

Half my childhood was a life where I saw my dad for 2-3 months out of the year.

It was really nice to see him when he would come on vacation and we would go to restaurants a lot, but there were some downsides: 

It totally messed up our routine.

We were so used to him not being around, but now we had to adjust and accommodate our schedules to spend time with him.

I know that sounds bad, but no one likes their routine to be disrupted.

It's an unfortunate reality, and it isn't something to be proud of. 

Once I had children, I made a promise to myself that I do not want my presence to be an annoyance for my children.

I want to be an integral part of their lives, because it is not just about me.

And it is not just about my children.

It is about the future generations as well.

If I am not present, I could be starting a trend where the children will also think the father does not have to be present.

I don't want this mentality to trickle down to my future generations.

The facts don’t lie: fathers who aren’t present lead to worse outcomes in children.

In their finances, their health, their education, etc.

Just read “The Boy Crisis” by Warren Farrell, and you’ll know what I mean.

We need to have the mentality of Ibrahim AS, who didn't just think about his children, but he thought about his dhurriyat. 

His future generations!

One of the famous duas he made is in the Qur'an, where he prayed for his future generations to be among those who establish the salat:

رَبِّ اجْعَلْنِیْ مُقِیْمَ الصَّلٰوةِ وَمِنْ ذُرِّیَّتِیْ ۖۗ رَبَّنَا وَتَقَبَّلْ دُعَآءِ ۟

Our Lord! Forgive me, my parents, and the believers on the Day when the judgment will come to pass.” 

Surah Ibrahim (14:40)

Oh Allah, make us righteous parents who are present in our childrens’ lives, Ameen.