To all the parents out there longing to spend more time with their children, I completely understand your feelings. When the pandemic hit and many people were forced to stay home, it became clear that not everyone preferred being a stay-at-home parent. I respect those who realized that, but I was not one of them. For the first time, I experienced what it was like to be home full-time with my son, and later my daughter, who arrived in June 2020. I cherished those moments.
Being a full-time parent was challenging, and there were days filled with tears, but I relished the time spent making lunches, napping with my kids, creating silly crafts, and exploring nature together. It was an unexpected gift, and leaving my children again was something I never anticipated would hurt this much.
Since returning to the office, I’ve been searching for ways to get back home. Unfortunately, quitting isn’t feasible due to our financial situation, so I pondered if part-time work might be the answer. It seemed like a logical solution: I could earn a paycheck while spending more time with my kids and reducing daycare expenses.
However, the reality of part-time work is more complicated than it appears. Most part-time positions come with lower hourly rates and fewer benefits, which often means I have to pass on great opportunities due to inadequate pay. Eventually, I mustered the courage to approach my supervisor about transitioning to part-time in my current role.
I believed it was a win-win situation; I could maintain productivity while saving the department money. Given that our organization already has part-time professionals, I thought they might consider my request seriously. But I was mistaken. Instead, I was abruptly shut down, with my supervisor suggesting that my contract might not be renewed and that I could find employment elsewhere if I wanted part-time work. The conversation ended there, leaving me emotional and embarrassed.
It’s disheartening to feel undervalued as an employee and a parent. Although I anticipated the possibility of rejection, I didn’t expect my request to be dismissed without consideration. This interaction highlighted how little has changed in terms of support for working parents, despite what’s said in the media. Employers seem reluctant to embrace flexible schedules or fair part-time policies.
Today, I feel a mix of anger, sadness, and disappointment. I’ve worked hard for my career, investing time and money, only to feel like I’m just a placeholder in my position. While I hope for change in the future, right now, I share in the collective sadness of parents who want to be at home with their children.
For those interested in exploring more about parenting and home insemination, check out this other blog post. If you’re considering options, Make a Mom is a great authority on this topic. For further insights into infertility and reproductive health, the CDC provides excellent resources.
Search Queries:
- home insemination techniques
- benefits of home insemination
- how to use a home insemination kit
- self insemination options
- tips for successful insemination
Summary:
The author expresses frustration over an unjust denial of a part-time work request, highlighting the emotional toll of balancing career aspirations and parenting. Despite efforts to negotiate a flexible schedule, the response from management was dismissive, reflecting broader issues faced by working parents in seeking support and understanding in the workplace.
Leave a Reply