Activism Change

OT: Working Mothers – Thank You

Question:

I missed most of the discussion but this is a great and helpful group isn’t it?:) Last weekend I was talking to a friend.  She was pretty distressed about having to go back to work next month, and feeling guilty about leaving her 5 month old daughter mostly in her Daddy’s care during the day from then on.  They have no choice – her husband had just been told that his employer is closing up Australian operations at the end of June.  He was partway through a PhD in Chemical Engineering when he was headhunted for this job, which means he is overqualified for any jobs requiring a Masters degree and underqualified for anything requiring a PhD.  This makes his job prospects pretty slim in the short term until he can finish his dissertation.

If the baby is with her daddy she should be just as happy and well adjusted as if she had been with her mommy. I myself skip babysitters that are outside the family as my family I know well and the others well…I had too many bad babysitters as a child and so did some friends of mine.  One thing I don’t understand and maybe never will….how is someone overqualified for something? If they can do the job one would think that means they are qualified, not over qualified…. Anyone know what that’s about? I was able to talk to her about some of the positive things many of you posted about, especially about being a positive role model for her daughter (and mine!) in the sciences (thanks Greta!) given that my friend is a forensic scientist.  By the end of our conversation she was feeling much more relaxed about the inevitable and even looking forward to the challenges lying ahead.  It also means she can concentrate on enjoying these last couple of weeks of full-time parenting without continuing to stress about what a rotten mother she is to leave Ehlana so early.

Sounds like such a cool field she has chosen too.  I think her daughter is getting a wonderful rolemodel and family life here too. It’s so good that you were there for your friend, to help her be at ease with what must come. Shelah aka Naunet http://scorpio.dmv.com/~princess

Response:

Thanks everyone who responded to the recent thread on Feminism with positive stories about being or being the child of a mother in paid work.   Last weekend I was talking to a friend.  She was pretty distressed about having to go back to work next month, and feeling guilty about leaving her 5 month old daughter mostly in her Daddy’s care during the day from then on.  They have no choice – her husband had just been told that his employer is closing up Australian operations at the end of June.  He was partway through a PhD in Chemical Engineering when he was headhunted for this job, which means he is overqualified for any jobs requiring a Masters degree and underqualified for anything requiring a PhD.  This makes his job prospects pretty slim in the short term until he can finish his dissertation. I was able to talk to her about some of the positive things many of you posted about, especially about being a positive role model for her daughter (and mine!) in the sciences (thanks Greta!) given that my friend is a forensic scientist.  By the end of our conversation she was feeling much more relaxed about the inevitable and even looking forward to the challenges lying ahead.  It also means she can concentrate on enjoying these last couple of weeks of full-time parenting without continuing to stress about what a rotten mother she is to leave Ehlana so early. So, thanks guys. Aramanth — When you die, the first thing you lose is your life.  The next thing is your illusions.    Terry Pratchett, _Pyramids_

Response:

Filed under: Feminism

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