The job of a working mom is far from easy. I can go on and on about the many sacrifices one makes in order to juggle one's career and motherhood. I recently had to make a very tough decision on whether or not to continue pursing my full-time job, break away from the workforce cycle and branch out on my own as a free agent and full time mother.Well, I chose the latter of the two and I'm experiencing so many emotions. There's definitely the feeling of What the HELL did I do, but yet, there's another part of me that feels like I've been freed and the shackles have been removed. I know we're a long way from slavery, but when you work in Corporate America in order to sustain a suitable lifestyle that works for your family, you really do become a slave to your job. They control you, they control your money, they control your time and they have control over everything you do on their clock. And like obedient, slave-like individuals, we do as we say. And if there's something you don't like, in most cases, you swallow it and keep it in, for fear of the consequences that may follow. Hey, this sure sounds like slavery to me, but with better benefits and better pay.
More importantly, what's even more disconcerting, is that sometimes as a parent, we literally c
ontemplate making unfortunate choices between going to work and knowingly sending your sick child to school or daycare. Why? Because of fear and the consequences we face at work. I too am guilty of not wanting my own precious children to inconvenience my job. Wow, the thought of that does not even sound right, but parents are faced with these choices everyday and we all dread that phone call from the school or daycare stating that your child is sick. So my question is, what's more important, your job or your child? Unfortunately, I have to say both, but we tend to respect the job more. Don't hate on me, I'm just saying what most people only think, but I'm saying it out loud. I'm sure when you get that call at work, stating your child is sick, you're like, "Damn it, I have to tell my boss." And you know you dread walking in your boss's office to tell him you have to leave....AGAIN! Why? Because you don't want to disappoint your boss and you want them to know you really need your job, but you can't do that if you're not around. No one is indispensable.
ontemplate making unfortunate choices between going to work and knowingly sending your sick child to school or daycare. Why? Because of fear and the consequences we face at work. I too am guilty of not wanting my own precious children to inconvenience my job. Wow, the thought of that does not even sound right, but parents are faced with these choices everyday and we all dread that phone call from the school or daycare stating that your child is sick. So my question is, what's more important, your job or your child? Unfortunately, I have to say both, but we tend to respect the job more. Don't hate on me, I'm just saying what most people only think, but I'm saying it out loud. I'm sure when you get that call at work, stating your child is sick, you're like, "Damn it, I have to tell my boss." And you know you dread walking in your boss's office to tell him you have to leave....AGAIN! Why? Because you don't want to disappoint your boss and you want them to know you really need your job, but you can't do that if you're not around. No one is indispensable.
In my opinion, Corporate America really does not care about your personal life, their only concern is what goes on in the office and if you're meeting their expectations. Again, in my opinion, your personal life outside of the office is an inconvenience to Corporate America . Taking time off to care for sick children or visit teachers or whatever the situation may be, means taking time off from what Corporate America deems what's important; their bottom line.Two years ago I found a nonprofit job that I thought would fit my lifestyle, because they were open to flex time and they claimed to really care about their employee's families. I thought I had died and gone to heaven. It actually worked out really well for two years. My boss was open to flex time, which then enabled me to avoid $1600 a month in childcare fees. I was so excited by the opportunity to finally save some much needed money, along with work for a company who I thought really cared. Well if something is too good to be true, then it probably is. Two years later, the company had a different agenda and no longer honored my flex time. I felt sick to my stomach. The thought of losing one entire paycheck to child care and precious time with my children was not on my agenda.
Moral of the Story: The wonderful thing about life is that we all have choices and I chose to put my family first. I chose to remove the shackles that bound me to that job, because I want control over my life. And as we all know, slavery IS OVER! And you better believe me, when one door closes, another one will open. I want to control my destiny and I refuse to be Corporate America's Bitch. "If you do not have big goals & big dreams, you will work reeeally hard for someone else who does." For me.....that someone will be me. Hey, if it doesn't work out...So What!
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