But I have little kids!

jadednurse · Oct 18, 2003

Peggysue, compassion has less to do with this than fairness does. Everyone needs to take their turn regardless of their family situation...that's what's fair, isn't it?

iliel · Oct 18, 2003

what is up with the insults!!!!! When we grow up, come on!

I believe everyone here has a right to make their point, but it seems like if you don't agree, then you have to throw insults about being immature, or telling everyone to grow up! Please!

Dixen81 · Oct 18, 2003

Absolutely, jadenurse. What I'm trying to get across is that it seems the singles are saying that we parents think we're ENTITLED or deserve special treatment, and that's not what we're saying at all. I can sypathize with those who say they cover for parents and then the favor is not reciprocated; that's not fair to you all. But at the same time, I understand a parents wish to watch their little ones when they first wake up in the morning and see the surprise on their faces when they look at the tree and see what Santa left. To me, THAT'S priceless. I know that I will miss that with my youngest child and my grandbaby because I will be working, I'm sure. But that doesn't mean I won't wish to be there.

If I did not have this youngest child (my other two are grown), I wouldn't care if I worked every Christmas. Yes, I do believe in the religious reason of the holiday, but to me, that is celebrated all year; not just on Christmas. And I can be with my grown children and other relatives at any hour of the holiday. Don't you remember being a little kid? Christmas morning is magic. Something that they have anticipated all year. My dad was military, and we celebrated around his schedule, and no, I was not scarred by that. But it's still not the same as that moment on Christmas morning.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Oct 18, 2003

Originally posted by peggysue
Absolutely, jadenurse. What I'm trying to get across is that it seems the singles are saying that we parents think we're ENTITLED or deserve special treatment, and that's not what we're saying at all.

I'm glad to hear that's not what you're saying. But the original intent of this thread was to vent my frustration at a co-worker does think she is entitled, based solely on the fact that she has young children at home. There are people that feel that children negate the needs of the childless.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Oct 18, 2003

Originally posted by agent
I'm sorry but you guys are being really immature.

Once you have kids you will understand. As a guy I think it wouldn't be as hard to miss a holiday, but I cant imagine a new mother with little ones missing christmas.

You two should really wait till you have kids then see what your opinions are.

I would like to think I would do anything within fairness and reason to get the holidays off to be with my kids. But I would not feel it was my God-given right to have it off, when I know I work in a 24-hour operation like a hospital.

To be honest, the last time I was off Xmas was seven years ago. The last four years I have worked 12 hour shifts on both Xmas and Xmas Eve. I do this as courtesy to my coworkers who have kids and family. I'm not so selfish to insist on time off knowing I have no kids and have family 1000 miles away. One day I might want to travel those 1000 miles to see my family on Xmas. If nurses with kids got entitled to the time I would never get off, because 100% of the time there are going to be coworkers with kids at home, with the turnover there is.

I think the general concensus is that fairness rules.

SmilingBluEyes · Oct 18, 2003

I am totally and completely appalled at the turn of this thread.....

Agent, your posts are the worst far as I am concerned. I cannot believe you said the things you did. are you SURE you are a nurse?????

Oh And I AM A PARENT.....but....

I echo those who say the REAL meaning of Christmas must be taught and celebrated by those who choose to. And KIDS CAN LEARN that mom or dad has a job that occasionally requires him/her to be away on that particular day...and DEAL WITH IT. I know OURS have time again, not cause I am a nurse but more because their Daddy is military and had missed every important day you can imagine once or twice.

The ONLY fair way is what I and others said before: ROTATE....no one need explain why he/she wants holidays off....as long as it's fair, that is all that I need to know. EVERYONE has a life and significant others, whether they be kids, grammas, aunts or friends. No one takes precedence over others simply cause he/she can reproduce or adopt kids. I am truly shocked how people behave here.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Oct 18, 2003

Originally posted by SmilingBluEyes
I echo those who say the REAL meaning of Christmas must be taught and celebrated by those who choose to. And KIDS CAN LEARN that mom or dad has a job that occasionally requires him/her to be away on that particular day...and DEAL WITH IT. I know OURS have time again, not cause I am a nurse but more because their Daddy is military and had missed every important day you can imagine once or twice.

Deb, I agree. Kids are very adaptable to family traditions.

Our tradition was from my German mother and we had our Xmas on Xmas eve. Opening up presents on Xmas day never happened at our home. What mattered was the love and spirit of Xmas.

But I think I fully understand the desire to be home on Xmas morning, no doubt having to work really bites for parents of young kids. But I think one knows this when one gets a job in a hospital that is open 24/7 365 days a year. I hope. :)

gwenith, BSN, RN · Oct 18, 2003

Agreed Tweety. No -one minds if it is fair play but all too often it becomes a one way street with the expectations all one way. I have always been accommodating and have often got the raw end of the deal. Did not realise how bad this was until I sat down and counted and realised I had been granted only 2 weekends off in a full calendar year.

This is about fair play

FROGGYLEGS, LPN · Oct 18, 2003

As so many have already said it is about fairness. Everyone needs time to carry out what is important to them whether it involves children or not.

I have not had a single holiday off since I was in HIGH SCHOOL. I have worked nearly every weekend for the past few years. I chose the job. I accept my schedule. I don't expect anyone to give their time to me so that I can go after the meaningless pursuits of a childless and arrogant young person. All I ask is that I am not expected to rearrange my life simply because some people think they are "special" for whatever reason.

I also agree that it isn't only the parents who hold these sort of beliefs. People without children do it as well. It is my belief that no one should get preferential treatment when it comes time to make that schedule.

AGENT, AGENT, AGENT.............I am not even going to touch your posts right now because there is enough sarcasm, arrogance, and immaturity on this board to spread around without replying to that.

:rolleyes:

kbstudent · Oct 18, 2003

I am a student nurse presently and have worked in the healthcare industry for the past 25 years. I personally accept the fact that healthcare is a 24/7 operation. You accept that when you decide to go into healthcare. In my hospital, the Rn's are under contract and it says that you will be scheduled to work Christmas one year and New Year's the next. That way not the same people always get the same holidays off. After that if you can find someone to work for you all the much better.

Berta · Oct 18, 2003

Wow gang, this tread has really shown some raw nerves.

Right now, I am a "older" student, so, I can't relate how it is to work at a facility at the holidays, but I would like to share the following with you.

I can honestly say that I know that as a nurse, I will be expected to work the holidays. At least I know I'll get paid better than what I was making at my other job.

My previous employer was a major catalog company and they are open ALL holidays. We have no choice what so ever about having a holiday off. We are expected to work it. The company even went so far as to assign you to different hours to accomidate their needs. So if you normally worked parttime, it wasn't unusual for them to go ahead and give you fulltime hours for the holiday. So not only did you have to work, you usually had to work extra hours. Period.... And the kicker is that at even time and a half, most people weren't even making $15 an hour. Yes, that stinks. The bottom line is this, yes it does stink to have to work the holiday. Some jobs just require it. But for me, I rather have to work Christmas and make say $25 an hour than $15. My two kids, age 8 and 2, have had to learn to be flexible. Yes, they hated it and so did I.

I also think that is wrong for an employeer to make the single or person without kids work the holiday for that reason alone. That is discrimination. It is a wonderful thing if they chose to do it out of the goodness of their heart, but to be forced to for that reason alone is just wrong..

Berta

cannoli · Oct 18, 2003

peggysue, are you even a nurse?

You certainly know how to be insulting.