It's a mad man indeed who doesn't miss his kids

Spending time with the kids will always be preferable to a day in the office. File photo / Brett Phibbs

While doing a spot of house painting on Saturday morning - a relentless bore of a job by the way - I was listening to the crackly old transistor and couldn't believe my ears. I tell ya, I nearly dropped the pail of paint all over the deck.

There was a bloke declaring how he loved his job so much he didn't even miss his wife and kids when he was away from them for long periods.

Admittedly, TV show creator and executive producer Matthew Weiner qualified it by saying that people will think he's psychotic for saying and thinking it. Yet he admitted, with a little light-hearted glee, that while he was in New York filming his show Mad Men his family were back in LA and, oh well, the show was amazing.

Psychotic? More like deluded and twisted, mate.

Then again, who am I to judge a successful TV show creator? Mad Men - a drama set in the world of advertising in New York in the 60s - is an inventive and brilliantly conceived piece of telly, which is rare these days.

Weiner was a likeable chap: passionate, interesting, smart, and best of all, down to earth. And despite how it came across I have no doubt he loves his four sons too. It's just that I'd never heard a dad - or parent - make such a confession. Maybe it's a common thing?

How could going to the office be better than a cuddle in bed on Saturday mornings; kicking the ball round at the beach; or simply seeing them smile?

In saying that, it's nice to go away for work, free from the nappy changes, the chores, and being able to get up whenever the hell you like because it's easier to get out the door when you're flying solo.

But after a night away I start getting the ache for a cuddle and a kiss goodnight and end up pestering my wife with texts and calls wanting blow by blow accounts of both their days.

I know, it's soppy, and I should harden up, but it's just the way I am.

The day after we found out we were having Mia I was away for two and a half weeks and I had the ache even then.

I love my job, and go hard at it, but I love my little Mia more. No contest.

The work life balance is just right thanks - with a little more emphasis on the life.

- Scott Kara

Pictured above: Spending time with the kids will always be preferable to a day in the office. File photo / Brett Phibbs