All of my life, I have always believed that family should come first. But I was raised to believe that keeping a job is also very important as well. I’ve been earning my own money since I was 14. When I was 14, I took jobs babysitting some of the small children from my church. Two days after I turned 16, I started working at a pizza parlor during my junior and senior year of high school. I graduated in 1990. From 1990 to 1996, I served in the United States Navy. After I got out of the Navy, I went to college and I worked part time at a very popular 5 star restaurant. After graduation, I worked for a couple of years, got married, and I moved to the east coast. After I moved here, I took a job at a local hospital for almost 2 years, then I had my first child. When my first one was born prematurely, I made the decision to stay home and become a full time mom. A year later I welcomed my second child into the world, and he too was born early. With two premature/developmentally delayed children, it made a lot of sense to stay home.
When my youngest started kindergarten, I went back to work at the same local hospital part time ( two days a week). Then tuesday of last week, my supervisor told me that I have to start working full time by the first of November. She only gave me a week! I told her that I am not going to work full time, because their schedule would interfere with my eldest sons therapy (he has Autism). Then she tells me I have to make a decision by friday, if I still want to be employed. I turned in my two weeks notice on friday. I made it very clear that NO job in this world is worth sacrificing my child’s well being. My supervisor wasn’t understanding.
I know that you’re thinking that I should take the full time hours. But I can’t put my sons well being a risk over a steady pay check. I’ve been thinking about starting my own business, but that would take some time. I don’t understand why employers tell their employees, that they have to put their job ahead of their family. I know that it’s often times about money, but my children will only be little once in their lives. I want to enjoy them as much as I can.
Have you ever had an employer tell you to choose between your jobs and your family/children? Let me hear your opinions and stories.
