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.
I have to give props to my coworkers...I posted in here earlier about getting stuck with call for the four day weekend of Christmas and I have an update...a newbie to our department is taking Christmas Eve (she insisted) and a veteran nurse came up to me and offered to take part of Christmas for me because her plans changed and she will be celebrating Christmas this weekend with her family now instead of on Christmas! So now I am just on Friday, part of Sunday and Monday! Things have a way of working out and you can bet I will remember the favor and will definately return it! :)
i can sort of understand what she was getting at. (WAIT! DON'T SHOOT ME!!)
i don't have kids, but i know that when i do, i'm going to want to be there on christmas morning to open presents and play with them, and i know i'll probably get a little cheesed off that people with no kids are 'stealing' time i'd like to have with my young'uns.
that said, the way she asked, as well as her logic, was very rude indeed. if it was me i would have left off at 'no i'm not interested in a swap' and gone away to sulk! (a healthy pastime that offends few people)
if someone said to me that i don't need christmas off because i don't have kids, i'd probably have answered 'yeah, but my parents do'
Specializes in Critical Care, Pediatrics, Geriatrics.
a Bit off topic, BUT
I was wondering if anyone here has decided to put off nursing for this very reason...24/7 job? I have been slowly taking prereqs and toying w/ the idea of nursing school for yrs. I have 2 small kids and can't imagine missing Christmas( yes, on the day) and birthdays, church etc. I hear what people are saying about celebrating on different days, how serving the sick honors Christ more than anything, and I truly think they are some beautiful sentiments. However, I am not sure I can give it up. Maybe I' m just selfish. We did strange schedules w/ my hubby's job for years, and to me it stunk. he just got a normal 9-5 m-f gig about 3 yrs ago, and I have to admit its been wonderful. I guess I'm just wondering if I'd be better off waiting on being a nurse until the little munchkins weren't so little? Sorry to ramble, just curious if the schedule was a deal breaker for anyone here. I can't see doing anything but hosp work, the 9-5 stuff around here is very low-paying, at least for new-grads.
BTW, I'd never expect anyone, childfree or otherwise, to 'give' me the holiday just b/c I have kiddos...this is why I'm doing the soul searching now! :)
Better come into it with a realistic expectation. The MAJORITY of those who celebrate Christmas are going to want the holiday off...whether they have kids or not is irrelevant. Perhaps, you should find work at an outpatient clinic or something along that lines if nursing is your passion. But don't go to a hospital expecting to receive the holiday schedule you would like to have...especially as the low man on the totem pole. Hospital=working holidays, including Christmas, at one point or another.
i don't have kids, but i know that when i do, i'm going to want to be there on christmas morning to open presents and play with them, and i know i'll probably get a little cheesed off that people with no kids are 'stealing' time i'd like to have with my young'uns.
And they could see it at time stolen from them for your choices in life.
As i've said before, i've got reason that are important to me, however, it doesn't make anyone else's more or less important.
Having kids or not does not give someone the right to certain days off, nor does it give them the right to be "cheesed" at someone who had the days off.
And they could see it at time stolen from them for your choices in life.
As i've said before, i've got reason that are important to me, however, it doesn't make anyone else's more or less important.
Having kids or not does not give someone the right to certain days off, nor does it give them the right to be "cheesed" at someone who had the days off.
I agree 100% with Marie. I am one of those that has no kids, and has to work every holiday so that mommy so and so can have the day off with her kids. (I don't mind, if asked, but do if you assume I have no family to tend to). I am also the one who at times gets badgered at school for not having any kids, and presumably taking up a spot for a maybe more deserving needy parent.
Jokingly or not, it isn't cute :stone
Some chose to have children before school, and others prefer to make arrangements and have them after. Either way, respect and a common sense should prevail.
i can sort of understand what she was getting at. (WAIT! DON'T SHOOT ME!!)
i don't have kids, but i know that when i do, i'm going to want to be there on christmas morning to open presents and play with them, and i know i'll probably get a little cheesed off that people with no kids are 'stealing' time i'd like to have with my young'uns.
Sheesh.... "stealing time?" How about when you are off Christmas, are you "stealing time" from those of us who want to be with our family? Noone is "stealing time" from you, regardless when you work. You are in a profession that requires holidays be worked, and as such, people must do so with respect for everyone else AS AN EMPLOYEE, not as a parent.
Sheesh.... "stealing time?" How about when you are off Christmas, are you "stealing time" from those of us who want to be with our family? Noone is "stealing time" from you, regardless when you work. You are in a profession that requires holidays be worked, and as such, people must do so with respect for everyone else AS AN EMPLOYEE, not as a parent.
So, people that don't want to have kids = miserable????
No, you are not understanding carol. I will delete it for your peace of mind.
Time for me to go offline.........
What I meant, is that I can only imagine those who have no children or chose not to, having to always work or give their day off (holiday) to someone else just because they have kids. That was it. You did have to go back and read what the discussion was about though.
sweet31eve
19 Posts
I have to give props to my coworkers...I posted in here earlier about getting stuck with call for the four day weekend of Christmas and I have an update...a newbie to our department is taking Christmas Eve (she insisted) and a veteran nurse came up to me and offered to take part of Christmas for me because her plans changed and she will be celebrating Christmas this weekend with her family now instead of on Christmas! So now I am just on Friday, part of Sunday and Monday! Things have a way of working out and you can bet I will remember the favor and will definately return it! :)