Don't you just love office gossip? Don't you love it even more when it's about you and it gets back to you!
I can't remember back far enough to a time when I might have been annoyed at all the "concessions" allowed to working mothers. I don't think I would have been one to complain about inequality in the workplace in that respect. Now that I am a working mother, hearing those complaints pisses me off...BIG TIME!
Because my dearly beloved and I didn't want to put our kids into daycare and since my mom isn't able to care for all three of them, my husband got himself a (horrible) full-time job working from 10pm to 7am. It sucks, but at least my kids aren't with strangers. Also because of this, I HAVE to be out the door at my job at 5pm. Especially during the summer, since my husband would appreciate a couple hours sleep, I have to get home as soon as I can to take over so that he can catch some zzz's before work. Dealing with our energetic 7 and 4.5 year old is busy business. Snoozing during the day isn't an option.
I'm damn proud that I can get myself and three kids (husband gets home in time to carry baby girl downstairs into the car and off we go) showered, dressed, fed, lunches made and out of the house so that no one is late for school or work. Yeah, that's right, gimme my frickin medal! That's no small feat!
There are also grumblings about how we occasionally leave early or sometimes come in late and how unfair that is! If they only knew how much fun it is to hold a screaming, crying, wriggling one year old at the pediatrician's office for a check-up and shots. Or how much fun it is to sit in a desk chair designed for someone under 4.5 feet tall for an hour while waiting your turn to hear "your child can try a little harder...isn't living up to their full potential". That's fun too! Uncomfortable AND mommy guilt inducing! I'll gladly switch places with you! You go sit and listen to a teacher detail your childs curriculum for the coming year for an hour. Did you know that elementary school teachers lose the ability to carry on an adult conversation Mondays thru Fridays? They talk to everyone like they're the age they teach. I have one child in kindergarten and one in second grade...go ahead, take my place! THAT is what we do when we leave early or come in late! We're not waking up late and we're certainly not leaving early to take a nap before our nights out on the town.
The fact that I am out the door at 5pm is a problem with some people. However, these same people don't see me when I get into the office (usually before the usual 9am start time) because they (of the single child or non-mother variety) can't get themselves into the office before even 9:30...and even then I'm being generous.
I spend my entire day chained to my desk, sitting in front of my computer. I get my work done as soon as it's assigned to me so that I can leave with a clear conscience, yes, at 5pm. I seldom go out of the office at lunch because the temptation to spend money is too great in this neighborhood.
They complain that they work late and I don't. Tough shit! Get to work on time and take an hour for lunch like the working mother of three!
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