For the most part, I think all moms agree that their children are their first priority. Even today, however, that seems to conflict with employer's views. Sure, there are a few wonderful companies that allow their employees to work modified hours or even work from home occassionally, if not always. In my area, these companies are few and far between. I've yet to find one myself, but I hear stories here and there that they really do exist. Moms still seem to have the majority of the childrearing responsibilities and yet it's usually necessary for both parents to work. There-in lies the "Catch-22". Our children are our priority, yet in order to earn a paycheck to support our little priorities, we need to leave them in the care of others - often in the care of strangers. It's been my experience that managers will say things upon hiring me, like, "Oh, I understand. I have kids too". But when I tell them I need to leave to pick up a sick kid from school I get that stern look. That look turns into a short tone when I call later to say I will need to stay home with my little one the next day because she has strep or whatever she has this time. That tone turns into a cold shoulder when I am able to return to work. And the following week when another kid (I have four) has caught what the little one had the previous week and I need to stay home again, the awkward feelings and guilt on my part return and intensify with each bug my kids bring home. I have to stay home with my kids when they are sick and I feel guilty for calling off at work to be with them. Why should I be put in this position? Why should a mother ever feel guilty about taking care of her child? My husband helps out when he's able, but he makes more money than I do and so it hurts us less if I lose a day of pay than it would if he lost a day of pay. This has been my experience with every company I have ever worked for since I changed my name to "Mommy". It's sad and it's frustrating. It seems if you don't have family available to help out with the kids and if you don't have one of those fabled employers who really mean it when they say they understand, you're just doomed.
