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“Please Stop Judging Me For Leaving The Office At Exactly 5 P.M.” Working Mom’s Emotional Confession Goes Viral
In 2016, mothers spent about 25 hours a week on paid work. That’s more than ever before. However, Jamie Johnson, a proud mom of two beautiful boys, is working even longer hours. And while she manages to balance her work and family life, it does require a huge amount of energy. To explain how she does it, Jamie recently shared an honest text on her parenting blog, Hashtag MomFail. But it resonated not only with parents. The sincere words prove that with a lot of commitment, one can tackle even the biggest challenges, and everyone appreciates a true fighter!
More info: hashtagmomfail.com | Facebook
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Image credits: HashtagMomFails
“I had a career before I was married and had kids,” Jamie told Bored Panda. “I had my first little boy at 29. It was never a question of whether I would work or not. I love to work and I knew I could do both. Plus, my family needed the money. My husband is a special education teacher that coaches high school baseball. We could not live on just his salary, even with two masters degrees.”
The mom is very happy that none of her employers have had an issue with her working full time and having a family. “They all have kids as well and are in the same boat. They are more than understanding. I think a lot of it is also because I work hard when I am at work and put in the late nights when I need to. I don’t slack and I get my work done. And I do it well. It might be a different story if I wasn’t productive.”
From time to time, things do get tough. But Jamie’s family always helps her to persevere. “I am incredibly lucky to live in mine and my husband’s hometown. We have my mom and my husband’s mom and dad to help us when we need it. There is no way we could do it without them!”
The strong woman believes that working moms are just as valuable as their single colleagues. “Just because you have children at home doesn’t mean that you aren’t good at what you do,” she said. “I work from home when I have to so I get the job done. Just because I dip out sometimes to go to my kid’s preschool graduation doesn’t mean I’m taking the day off to chill. Those workers without children have commitments as well. If anything, having children has just taught me how to multitask better.”
Jamie also wanted to add that she knows how lucky she is to have good managers and bosses that are flexible with her. “I have heard from far too many women that have gotten fired for taking off because their kids are sick or told they are disposable. I know, in the end, business is all about the bottom line. You have to make more than you spend. But being flexible with a good employee is also great for the bottom line. I wish more companies and businesses in the United States understood this. And paid parental leave would be nice, too!”
Other working moms couldn’t agree with Jamie more
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Riz Leslie 5 years ago
Fun fact: people without kids have lives and obligations as well that are just as important. Instead of using kids as a legitimate reason for not staying longer than you are paid for, the reason should be that we are not our boss’ slaves and we are allowed to leave as soon as work ends. Point blank.
Stille20 5 years ago
I can't agree with you more. I took care of a terminally ill parent because my siblings with kids "couldn't". I caught grief from several friends with kids because I no longer had time to drive to see them. I'm not saying this is how all parents are, just that people who aren't parents still have obligations.
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Lisa 5 years ago
I am going to get downvoted but I don't care, just because you are a tired mom doesn't like give you a free pass to be snippy to your coworkers. It's not an excuse and everyone got problems and responsibilities. And frankly I don't want to finish someone's work or have to work harder because someone has kids. But leaving at 5? Of course, the whole work culture of staying past working hours is ridiculous. Unless it's absolutely necessary who wants to be at the office. Get work done and get out, everyone has better things to do.
Laura 5 years ago
I agree with you (and will probably get downvoted also) - you chose to have children, so deal with it. Your co workers shouldn't have to pick up your slack, and your boss shouldn't have to wonder if you are going to show, or get any work done. It's great that they cater to your needs, but you shouldn't be putting them in that situation. Either reduce your hours so they can hire someone that will get the work done, or stay at home (can't afford it? then don't have multiple kids). Also, nobody cares about your issues. Everyone has problems in their lives - you aren't special because you CHOSE to have kids.
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Lola 5 years ago
I’m going to sound mean but I really don’t care. I have news for you; people without kids have responsibilities outside of work as well. We have our day to day struggles and they don’t necessarily have to involve children. Miraculously, I still get my job done. Deadlines have to be met and we have to get paid for fully contributing. As long as your job is done by 5, no one cares if you leave. After all, that is the schedule you signed up for. Here’s a thought as mean as it may sound; it would be a good idea to start a family when you are financially comfortable enough to stay home with them. Call me crazy, but I’m doing just that.
Full Name 5 years ago
This mom doesn't sound too bad money wise. She's not whining about needing more money etc so that doesn't seem to be her point of contention. I agree with you in general though that your decision to have kids before you were well off doesn't mean I should have to sacrifice for it. Having kids should not be a right at all. It's like how those minimum wage stories talk about raising kids. You s******g me? WTF are you having kids for if you are on minimum wage? The government didn't get you pregnant nor did your employer.
Load More Replies...
Stille20 5 years ago (edited)
This is going to sound harsh, but for context, I have worked 55 hour weeks, holidays and weekends to allow people on my staff to be with their families. You can show up a little wrinkled or need to leave to pick up a sick child , but it is unacceptable to write snippy emails or regularly expect your childless coworkers, who get paid the same amount, to pick up the slack because of your life choices.
Jenny Lee 5 years ago
Agree so much! "pick up the slack because of your life choices"...why do people with kids think they are some exception. It is infuriating.
Load More Replies...
Kathleen Barlow 5 years ago
I've worked with people like her before. Nightmare doing two people's job because they chose to over populate the planet even more and I have to do their work as well as my own.
Laura 5 years ago
They always assume everyone will pick up the slack - and still expect their full pay. And don't get me started on working on holidays. It is always assumed that if you don't have kids you will work all the holidays because parents want to be with their kids. Umm, maybe I have family that I want to be with. Just because I didn't give birth doesn't make my time any less valuable
Load More Replies...
Bill 5 years ago
I would judge her on mission accomplishment. If the job gets done who cares what time she leaves
Kim Snijder 5 years ago
She said her co-workers have to pick up the slack, mission not accomplished then i think. I would care if i was the co-worker
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Leo H 5 years ago
Funny how this is all about her and her kids....when in reality the job isnt getting done and the others are getting pissed off because wow..they might have kids too,a life,a spouse, a dog that they also want to get home to.. But now have to work later to finish the job because she left at 5. They are picking up her slack.
Bláthnaid O’Loughlin 5 years ago
If she is not being paid to stay after five, she should not have to stay after five. Kids or no. Edit: comment glitched
Load More Replies...
Anna McHugh 5 years ago
This infuriates me: I've had so many 'Anna-can-we-have-a-word' because I wanted to leave dead on leaving time. No kids, no pick-ups from childcare, no nannies, no 'I'm a MOTHER' self-importance. Just going to a place where I knew that my coming and going was monitored, and I was always, always being judged. And I hated it, and yeah, I wanted to leave when my contract said I could. I don't see any BoredPanda stories about that.
Daria B 5 years ago
I agree with you, but it doesn't infuriate me. We should stand together, not fight each other, because although the reasons are different, the need is the same in the end.
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John Louis 5 years ago
If I am paying you, you either give 100% or you don't work for me. You chose to be a mother. Your employer should bear no responsibility for that. If everyone felt the way I did then we would have a more efficient workforce and a stronger economy to raise our kids.
Michał Jastrzębski 5 years ago
exactly. Her not pulling her weight means the rest of company has to do their job AND cover for her. While not getting paid extra for that. And while seeing her getting money for what, in actuality, THEY did instead of her. What should happen is her payout being reduced to cover work of those that actually worked, or alternativelly, her being fired.
Load More Replies... Riz Leslie 5 years ago
Fun fact: people without kids have lives and obligations as well that are just as important. Instead of using kids as a legitimate reason for not staying longer than you are paid for, the reason should be that we are not our boss’ slaves and we are allowed to leave as soon as work ends. Point blank.
Stille20 5 years ago
I can't agree with you more. I took care of a terminally ill parent because my siblings with kids "couldn't". I caught grief from several friends with kids because I no longer had time to drive to see them. I'm not saying this is how all parents are, just that people who aren't parents still have obligations.
Load More Replies... Lisa 5 years ago
I am going to get downvoted but I don't care, just because you are a tired mom doesn't like give you a free pass to be snippy to your coworkers. It's not an excuse and everyone got problems and responsibilities. And frankly I don't want to finish someone's work or have to work harder because someone has kids. But leaving at 5? Of course, the whole work culture of staying past working hours is ridiculous. Unless it's absolutely necessary who wants to be at the office. Get work done and get out, everyone has better things to do.
Laura 5 years ago
I agree with you (and will probably get downvoted also) - you chose to have children, so deal with it. Your co workers shouldn't have to pick up your slack, and your boss shouldn't have to wonder if you are going to show, or get any work done. It's great that they cater to your needs, but you shouldn't be putting them in that situation. Either reduce your hours so they can hire someone that will get the work done, or stay at home (can't afford it? then don't have multiple kids). Also, nobody cares about your issues. Everyone has problems in their lives - you aren't special because you CHOSE to have kids.
Load More Replies... Lola 5 years ago
I’m going to sound mean but I really don’t care. I have news for you; people without kids have responsibilities outside of work as well. We have our day to day struggles and they don’t necessarily have to involve children. Miraculously, I still get my job done. Deadlines have to be met and we have to get paid for fully contributing. As long as your job is done by 5, no one cares if you leave. After all, that is the schedule you signed up for. Here’s a thought as mean as it may sound; it would be a good idea to start a family when you are financially comfortable enough to stay home with them. Call me crazy, but I’m doing just that.
Full Name 5 years ago
This mom doesn't sound too bad money wise. She's not whining about needing more money etc so that doesn't seem to be her point of contention. I agree with you in general though that your decision to have kids before you were well off doesn't mean I should have to sacrifice for it. Having kids should not be a right at all. It's like how those minimum wage stories talk about raising kids. You s******g me? WTF are you having kids for if you are on minimum wage? The government didn't get you pregnant nor did your employer.
Load More Replies... Stille20 5 years ago (edited)
This is going to sound harsh, but for context, I have worked 55 hour weeks, holidays and weekends to allow people on my staff to be with their families. You can show up a little wrinkled or need to leave to pick up a sick child , but it is unacceptable to write snippy emails or regularly expect your childless coworkers, who get paid the same amount, to pick up the slack because of your life choices.
Jenny Lee 5 years ago
Agree so much! "pick up the slack because of your life choices"...why do people with kids think they are some exception. It is infuriating.
Load More Replies... Kathleen Barlow 5 years ago
I've worked with people like her before. Nightmare doing two people's job because they chose to over populate the planet even more and I have to do their work as well as my own.
Laura 5 years ago
They always assume everyone will pick up the slack - and still expect their full pay. And don't get me started on working on holidays. It is always assumed that if you don't have kids you will work all the holidays because parents want to be with their kids. Umm, maybe I have family that I want to be with. Just because I didn't give birth doesn't make my time any less valuable
Load More Replies... Bill 5 years ago
I would judge her on mission accomplishment. If the job gets done who cares what time she leaves
Kim Snijder 5 years ago
She said her co-workers have to pick up the slack, mission not accomplished then i think. I would care if i was the co-worker
Load More Replies... Leo H 5 years ago
Funny how this is all about her and her kids....when in reality the job isnt getting done and the others are getting pissed off because wow..they might have kids too,a life,a spouse, a dog that they also want to get home to.. But now have to work later to finish the job because she left at 5. They are picking up her slack.
Bláthnaid O’Loughlin 5 years ago
If she is not being paid to stay after five, she should not have to stay after five. Kids or no. Edit: comment glitched
Load More Replies... Anna McHugh 5 years ago
This infuriates me: I've had so many 'Anna-can-we-have-a-word' because I wanted to leave dead on leaving time. No kids, no pick-ups from childcare, no nannies, no 'I'm a MOTHER' self-importance. Just going to a place where I knew that my coming and going was monitored, and I was always, always being judged. And I hated it, and yeah, I wanted to leave when my contract said I could. I don't see any BoredPanda stories about that.
Daria B 5 years ago
I agree with you, but it doesn't infuriate me. We should stand together, not fight each other, because although the reasons are different, the need is the same in the end.
Load More Replies... John Louis 5 years ago
If I am paying you, you either give 100% or you don't work for me. You chose to be a mother. Your employer should bear no responsibility for that. If everyone felt the way I did then we would have a more efficient workforce and a stronger economy to raise our kids.
Michał Jastrzębski 5 years ago
exactly. Her not pulling her weight means the rest of company has to do their job AND cover for her. While not getting paid extra for that. And while seeing her getting money for what, in actuality, THEY did instead of her. What should happen is her payout being reduced to cover work of those that actually worked, or alternativelly, her being fired.
Load More Replies...
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