"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.

[Bipley]

Doesn't it just. And, you know, there are some people who will NEVER be happy, no matter what you do for them. It's just too bad.

True, but it is also their choice.

[SmilingBluEyes]

It WAS indeed Abraham Lincoln who said:

"Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to be".

This person is a whiney-baby. I am glad the surgeon put her in her place. Now that Christmas 2005 is history, I hope her griping will be put to rest, finally.

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

It must have been bad if he said something about it. He never routinely says that (unless he's just joking around, which he does frequently, he's from the era where "sit on it" was the phrase, and he uses that a lot in a kidding manner).

Depends on what her holiday is for 2006 will depend on if and when she quits whining.

[bnc2n]

I definitely agree that it gets frustrating. I don't have kids either and some co-workers expect me to work all of the holidays. Halloween usually always gets ugly but I am not giving in just because I don't have kids. I do have neices and nephews that I like to spend time with.

[tntrn, ASN, RN]

AS bad as this is, we have a nurse who has actually told one of our single, childless nurses that she shouldn't apply for any summer vacation time because she doesn't have any kids. Of course, she has no qualms whatsoever about pulling her kid out of school at any time for any reason. Some people must think it's all about them!

[Pepper The Cat, BSN, RN]

I have been told that I should work Xmas because I don't have children. I have also been told that I can work overtime, stay late, come in early etc because I don't have any other "responsibilities" at home. After all, (so I've been told) I don't have to do laundry, make meals or clean my house - because I'm single! I guess some magic fairy does all this for single people.

When I was working full time and going to university part time, I was also told by someone that she would do it too, but she "has kids" you know.

By the way - if any of you other single people out there has seen this magic fairy that does all the housework, please send them my way. I'm trying to teach the cat to vacuum but he's a slow learner.