“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!
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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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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.
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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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.
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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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.
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.
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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.
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... 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.
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... 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.
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...
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