Kids can hop on Metra to mom or dad's job for free Thursday

Metra is offering free rides to kids who tag along with their parents during Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day this Thursday.

Children must be accompanied by a fare-paying parent.

"We have been celebrating this worthy event at Metra for several years and decided that offering our customers a free ride for their children will make it easier for them to participate," CEO Don Orseno said in a statement.

The annual event is intended to allow children to see what their parents do at work and to encourage them to start thinking about the importance of education and what their future occupations could be. The day also draws attention to the importance of family-friendly workplaces, according to the Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Foundation.

The program was started by the Ms. Foundation in the early 1990s in New York City and was aimed at building girls' self-esteem and helping them envision careers. The original Take Our Daughters to Work program transitioned into Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work in 2007.