How many things did I take for granted before I became a mother? Countless, I'm sure. Now that I am a mother it's like I see the world through totally different eyes. This is especially true when it comes to the realm of work. I am truly blessed to have a full-time job that allows me the flexibility that I need as a mother, but I know not every mother has it like that and it bums me out.
I am of the belief that mothers are our world's greatest untapped resource. Yes, we know they exist; yes, we love them; no, we do not take advantage of all that they can offer to society via the workforce. Mothers are flexible, they have to be. Jobs tend to be a lot less flexible than mothers, which is too bad in so many cases. When is it time to call it quits on a job that won't work with you as a mother?
Read more ¿Qué más?: 5 Signs it's finally time to quit your job!
I realize that jobs that work for mothers aren't growing on trees, but we are fortunate to live in a cyberage where more and more jobs are making it easier to telecommute or have flex-time, so how do you know that your job is not mami-friendly and you need to start looking for something else? Here are four signs that your job is not compatible with motherhood and you need to start looking for another job.
- You live in an area where it snows and your children sometimes get snow days. They cannot take care of themselves for whatever reason, you call work to tell them you can't come in and they threaten to fire you if you don't come back with a doctor's note saying you were sick. And no they don't care that you can't find childcare, and no you can't bring your kids to work with you.
- You are nursing. You need a place to pump at work so that you can maintain your milk supply and your boobs won't explode. You speak to your supervisor about needing a place to pump and they suggest you do it in the bathroom. You explain that you are not comfortable pumping where you poop just like you wouldn't be comfortable cooking where you poop. Your supervisor tells you that you can pump in the utility closet instead. Sigh.
- Work constantly schedules "mandatory" meetings during times that you can not attend.
- You are expected to stay late without prior notice or the ability to arrange for childcare.
If you find yourself in a job situation that makes being a mother especially hard, I wish you the very best of luck in finding another position that is a better fit. ¡Buena suerte!
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