No, not rejection from jobs applied for but a different sort entirely.
I was on my way out of work the other evening, rushing to the tube, and saw a little girl with her mum. I am drawing conclusions here, but I think that the lady was a working mother, by her smart office wear…. and the familiar scene that unfolded next.
It was a tired and harried mum (sound familiar?), having to deal with what can only be described as rejection as her little girl cried and wailed inconsolably, ”I want to go back to Nana’s”. No wonder the lady looked upset.
I have been there. You spend all day feeling guilty and wanting to run home to pick dear child up from nursery/grandma’s/childminder only to be brutally rejected by that child when they see you. Not every time of course, but my one has provided me with most of the usual range of rejections. She has pushed me away, told me she doesn’t want to go home, ignored me and looked disapproving. And that hurts!! It just adds to the guilt you feel anyway – you can ignore the media telling you that you shouldn’t be working (which occasionally they seem to do), but it is difficult to see your child react like that and not feel like there must be something in it.
Of course none of it ever lasts, and I stand by my decisions to be a working mum. She has benefited from attending childcare. She is more independent than she might otherwise be. And she has a mum who is fulfilled.
The new working pattern, which fits in with her school day for most of the week, works better - as she doesn’t miss me at all. So you would think that the rejection of me would also stop. But no - still it continues!! But in a different vein.
The most recent is “Daddy is the best!!” She wants dad to read her stories, dad to draw with her, dad to play Pepa Pig and so on. When I pick her up from school she often just gives me a look. When Daddy comes with me, she is ecstatic, running right past me and into his arms!
Oh well. It must just be what kids do (or she is just a daddy’s girl?), and she has started to soften the blow with extreme diplomacy for a 4 year old.
“I do love you mama, but I just want Daddy”.
Post this entry to:
del.icio.us
|
Digg
|
Newsvine
|
Reddit
I work full time as a teacher but I have to say I find it pulling at my heart.. I am trying too to build a business in the health and nutrition sector a fast growing area and hope that I can in the next six months drop my full time job to spend more time with my 2 and 1 year old. I am looking to recruit people into the business too to build a team. The products I am selling are ones i use everyday and my children use them everyday one product has really help my sons skin! I have to make this work to not have the above!!!!! my problem is i want to work in my home and when the children are sleeping and teaching just doesnt allow it!!
Sarah Barton | Report this comment