"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.

[MamaTheNurse, BSN, RN]

:yelclap: :yelclap: :yelclap: :yelclap:

good for you - you said that very well!!!

have a great Christmas!!!!

[RNKPCE]

We rate our holidays Thanksgiving, Christmas eve, Day, Newyears eve, day 1-5 with 1 being most wanted off. Last year someone put a 1 for each holiday. When the schedule came out she was mad because she had to work some of them.(decision wasn't based on her priorities) She said "I put a 1 for all of them cause I want them all off" It was her first holiday on our unit, this year she knew better than to do that.

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

Ours rotate. My holiday this year is Thanksgiving, next year it'll be labor, and so forth.

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

If someone asked me to trade Christmas because I don't have kids, I would have said, "Oh, I didn't tell you? I'm getting a kid for Christmas." Then I would have walked away.

~Crystal

:roll :roll :roll

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

We self-schedule, so far I'm the only one who has signed up to work Xmas Day. Should be interesting to see who gets their feelings hurt.

[NicInNC, CNA]

While I'm a CNA and not a nurse yet, I'm actually looking forward to working Christmas Day. I have to work the night before AND the day of Christmas. But I work 3-11, so I will be able to spend the morning with them watching them open presents. That's the most exciting part for me. I'll also be able to have lunch at my parents like we normally do.

But I'm also excited about spending the day with my residents! I get to be with them on such a special day and will hopefully meet many of their family members. I just think that Christmas will be special this year and that I'll truly be giving and receiving a wonderful gift!

[pattyzaccy]

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.

Couldn't it be that anyone with kids 10 yrs old and under at least should have xmas morning off? My kids are 20 and 23 yrs old but still want mommy there on xmas morning with presents from santa!!!Biggest day of year for kids moms should be there!!!

[smk1, LPN]

how about all the moms who don't get to see their adult children year after year because all of the "young" moms whine to get it off to spend with their kids? (by the way i am a young mom) I don't celebrate the holidays so i would be one who would take that extra holiday with glee... that is if i don't have something planned. We like to go skiing or, as has bee the custom latley, head to sunriver with for a week with friends. The nerve of some people assuming people with no kids don't deserve to get the holidays off.

[Marie_LPN, RN, LPN, RN]

Couldn't it be that anyone with kids 10 yrs old and under at least should have xmas morning off? My kids are 20 and 23 yrs old but still want mommy there on xmas morning with presents from santa!!!Biggest day of year for kids moms should be there!!!

So what you're saying is that she should have Christmas morning off because she has kids?

So in other words, because i don't have children, i should work Christmas morning for her because she does??

I don't think so! Just because i don't have children does not mean i should have to rearrange my life for someone who does.

[hipab4hands]

the way we do it is simple (and works):

But no special consideration/treatment is given people with kids over the holidays, any more than those who are either childfree or have grown ones. And senior nurses don't get to stick the junior ones with ALL the holidays. Everyone has to work her share. It works fine for us.

We work by a seniority system. Those with the most seniority have first chance of getting the days off. The funny thing is the older workers , like myself, tend not to take all the holidays off. Personally, I rather have time off, when I'm not going to have to fight traffic, airport congestion, etc., like on a major holiday.

I usually will work Christmas Eve, Christmas and Easter, as these are not religious holidays for me, and I would rather let some one , who does have a religous connection enjoy this time.

[fergus51]

Couldn't it be that anyone with kids 10 yrs old and under at least should have xmas morning off? My kids are 20 and 23 yrs old but still want mommy there on xmas morning with presents from santa!!!Biggest day of year for kids moms should be there!!!

No. We all have different reasons for wanting the holidays off. This will be the first Xmas in 4 years that I've seen my family, and since my brother is a cop he is unlikely to be able to do this again next year. Not having kids doesn't mean we don't have loved ones who are just as important as your kids. My dad was a cop and growing up we celebrated the holidays around his schedule. It didn't bother us a bit. I think it bothers the mothers more than it does the children.

Honestly when I hear people at work whining that they have to work ONE shift on the holidays I think they are being incredibly selfish. I've already heard my share of "Well, it's not like you have kids!" as though they are such martyrs. Well, guess what, if they want to change places with me and celebrate 90% of the holidays with their closest family members 1500+ miles away, they are welcome to do so.

[JVanRN]

Gosh I so feel your pain Only this year I'm the "evil" one that is preventing a first time mom from being at home celebrating her childs first xmas.(other people are off this day, but I'm the only one with no kids that is working her shift, thus I guess the ONLY one capable of switching) Well I have 2 step children but have been told that "they don't count as they already have their "real" mother there to celebrate with them..." (yes isn't that nice? ) I wasn't evil the past 2 Christmases because I worked them. One year I was kind of "guilt tripped" but I didn't mind too much. I now realize that this will happen every year if I let it. This new mom isn't the one giving me the guilt trip...it's the other staff! If they care so much...let them switch! Especially after being told that my stepchildren "don't count".