"What do you need Christmas off for? You don't have kids!" (rant)

[Marie_LPN, RN]

It's that time of year again, even though the holiday schedule has been out for a year, people are making last minute switches. No big deal except for a co-worker that approached me, after seeing i have Christmas Eve and Christmas Day off.

Started out nice: "I saw you had both days off, are you interested in trading them?" I said "Actually i'd like to keep both days off, my family has been through a lot, my dad's brother died a couple of weeks ago, and i'd like to go back home for those days." She said "Hmm, guess i won't be home for my kids for Christmas." I didn't say anything or do anything. Then after a minute she says "You don't have kids, what do you need Christmas off for?":angryfire

It's a wonder my head didn't explode. First off it wasn't her dang business what i wanted Christmas off for anyway, secondly how dare she make such a comment, as if those days won't mean squat to me all because i don't have children.

I'm sure her kids are important to her, i'm sure she would like to be there on those days, but the fact that i do not have children doesn't mean that things in my life are no less important. Nor should it mean that i should want to rearrange my life to accomodate someone that does. Which i've had to do a few times as a result of her taking 3 days weekends since august (we do self-scheduling). As a result of her doing this, i get screwed out of 3 days weekends 90% of the time. Her excuse for needing 3 days weekends? "Because i have kids." Not "My kid(s) has an appt., game, tournament, etc." "Because i have kids."

In no way am i knocking her because she has kids, or anyone, but it's almost like she expects accomodation from people because of the kids. It's not fair to everyone else. Everyone else manages and they have children. And everyone else at work wouldn't have made such a self-entitling statement about someone with no children having the holidays off, because most people take their turns every year. Just because i don't have children doesn not mean that i don't have a life or that i don't have things to do.

[MNlpn]

I guess she's in the WRONG line of work then if she expects to get the holidays off ! Everyone takes their turn! If it's that big of a deal for her perhaps she should just call in sick and quit her whining!

[Nurse Hatchett]

Regardless if you have to work or if you will be home with your family, whether it includes children or not...........................I wish everyone a Merry Christmas!!!!

[TweetiePieRN]

Regardless if you have to work or if you will be home with your family, whether it includes children or not...........................I wish everyone a Merry Christmas!!!!

....and a Merry Chrismakwanahanzukah!

[dsomday]

I am just starting my pre req's so I am not speaking from experience, but I myself cannot wait until I have to work on holidays. I am just tired of trying to make it to everyone's celebration (even my fiance's mother-in-law's, believe it or not). Not that I don't love them all, but I think it would be kinda nice to just say "Sorry, I have to work". My youngest is 11 and I feel it is a good time in my life to do this for me (going back to school). By the time I graduate, she will be a teenager and a little more independent. I myself can celebrate Christmas any day of the year.

Happy Holidays to all!!!

[Bipley]

...I am just tired of trying to make it to everyone's celebration (even my fiance's mother-in-law's, believe it or not).

Your fiance's who?

[kadokin, ASN, RN]

Your fiance's who?

Uh, Yeah. Are you sure you want to be engaged to someone who already HAS a mother in law?

[dsomday]

LOL... My fiance's wife died in a car accident. His MIL is really sweet, has been through a lot and does A LOT for his children, more than his own mother, and has accepted me with open arms. I am closer to his MIL than I am his mother!! She wants to stay a part of his family. I know it sounds weird, believe me it took me a while to get used to it, but she is one my best friends.

[Bipley]

LOL... My fiance's wife died in a car accident. His MIL is really sweet, has been through a lot and does A LOT for his children, more than his own mother, and has accepted me with open arms. I am closer to his MIL than I am his mother!! She wants to stay a part of his family. I know it sounds weird, believe me it took me a while to get used to it, but she is one my best friends.

I was pretty sure there was more to this story.

I don't think it is weird at all. Just because her daughter died does not mean she is any less of a Gma figure to the kids. Even if they aren't her grandchildren (I'm assuming they are?) one can never have too many grandparents.

[dsomday]

They are her grandchildren, she has two more also. She also treats my 11 y/o like her own. And you are right, I wish I had more grandparents!!!

[featherzRN, MSN]

I am soooo happy that I work in an outpatient clinic. No weekends, no holidays, no nights - and I get paid the same as I would in the hospital as the clinic is associated with a major HMO/Hospital. Oh, and I'm pagan and kidless and I still celebrate the holidays on Christmas day. Those of you with kids who haaaaave to have the holiday off can do what I've done and then there's no worries, no switching, etc.

[Bipley]

I caved. I did it, I caved. After this thread and the last one on the same topic I swore I would not work every single Christmas. But I caved.

A friend of mine asked if I would split her shift with her. Since this gal has always been there when I needed someone I fully agreed. But I still caved! LOL I'm working tomorrow for four hours.

Oh well, I held my stand pretty well for a couple of weeks anyway!

[DusktilDawn]

LOL... My fiance's wife died in a car accident. His MIL is really sweet, has been through a lot and does A LOT for his children, more than his own mother, and has accepted me with open arms. I am closer to his MIL than I am his mother!! She wants to stay a part of his family. I know it sounds weird, believe me it took me a while to get used to it, but she is one my best friends.

Actually it's not weird, it's wonderful. My grandmother had a hard time coping with my mother's loss and has NEVER gotten along with my stepmother. It was difficult for me and my siblings dealing with the anamosity between them growing up. I think it is wonderful that you have developed a closeness with this woman.