When I was a kid, I thought it would be cool to have my Dad's career as a veterinarian. As I got exposed to what it was really like, all those hours, just like a doctor, I just said "ugh".

Children have different reactions to parents absences because of their careers. Some are mental reactions and some are physical reactions. I interviewed a few young adults recently and here is some of what they shared.

Boys first.

"Dad was there for things I cared about, like my basketball games and teaching me to ride my mountain bike." - Alex, 18

"All I remember now are the things my Dad was able to do. At the time all I remembered was the things he was not able to do because of his job," - Chris, 21

"I think Dad's absences put a lot more pressure on Mom than they did on me." - Dylan, 24

"Sometimes I would think, 'Why does my Dad have to be the guy who saves the world? I wanted him to be a guy who would sometimes chill out with me instead. Let somebody else save the world for awhile." - Peter, 21

Girls had another view.

"It was great that Dad coached my soccer team, but during those times he was my coach, not my Dad." - Kimberly, 19

"My dad came to my softball games and most of my practice games as well.  He let me know he was fitting this all into his busy schedule.  I felt bad when he came because he was on his cell phone the entire time and I felt like he had more "important" things that he needed to be doing." - Robin, 21

"At this point in my life, I appreciate my Dad's commitment to his work. At 14 I didn't." - Casey, 22

"I thought the house was Mommy's house and not Daddy's house as he was always gone. Once I asked where Daddy lived. His office was actually downstairs." - Tina, 26

A career can suck the entire family into its vortex. Marinating in guilt is an opportunity lost. Invite your kids into your work world and work life. Let them see how things happen, how problems are tackled and solved. They will gain more appreciation for what you do. Ask your kids how they feel.

Their feedback may change the way you run your business life and your "life at home" life. Chill out with your kids and watch a TV program or a movie.

Just don't let them know what is mulling over in your mind.

Best site to check according to MONEY Magazine: Credit.com. Banks today want pristine credit, and just a few points can make a difference between a good and a great rate on a loan. For a quick sense of where you stand (for free!), MONEY Magazine recommends Credit.com.

Click on the Credit Report Card and answer a few questions.

The site will pull your credit report (a "soft" inquiry that does not hurt your rating) and give you a grade of A+ through F for each relevant factor, plus tips on how to improve. A parent needing a loan for an addiction treatment center for their daughter just learned she cannot score an A+ across the board unless he proves he can handle another loan.

You don't get your exact credit score, just a range where you fall. When you want a hard number, purchase it for $15.95  at  MYFICO.COM, according to MONEY Magazine.

MONEY Magazine also recommends CREDITKARMA.COM which lets you see how changing one factor might affect your score.

You know that using your iPhone or SmartPhone to e-mail or text behind the wheel is a boneheaded move.  And just in case you are still tempted, even once:

Studies suggest that the risk of a crash soars as much as 23-fold when your e-mail or text while driving.

You reaction time is slowed by a killer 30 percent.  Calling is safer that texting, however, it is still highly recommended that you pull over before you do either.

Cell Phone and Texting Laws for All States