to be peeved when people ask me if the reason I now work part time following ds

[mickb]

is because "I couldn't cope" with f/t work? An answer of "no I just wanted to spend more time with him" seems to elicit surprised reactions. Also most seem to think that having only one child is not a good enough reason to work part time. Maybe its just me being sensitive and needing to grow a rather tougher skin...ho hum.

oh ignore them, they hope it's because you couldn't cope as they are idiots.

opinions are like arseholes, we all have them and most are full of shit.

it is because they are jealous of you -
just say - 'oh I am so lucky that my husband earns enough that I can choose the hours I work' (even if its' not quite true)
or say
'its because i am capable of making my own choices'

This assumes FT work is harder than PT... which it certainly isn't IME.

You could just say,ooh I do work f/t as once I have finished in my paid employment I entertain an energetic xx year old, cook nutritious meals and make sure our house doesn't turn into a pig sty, if anything it's a more than f/t job

How strange.

Just give them a look. Like this

Who are these nosey bastards? Tell them to fuck off and mind their own business. Seriously.

Or you could say, "No that's not the reason why, although of course I understand if it is/was like that for some people......." and look at them in an irritatingly kind and supportive manner......

• Which isn't at all a judgement on how people choose to work or parent, just that I feel they are out of order for being judgemental!

YABU... and sensitive. People are simply trying to empathise and whilst they may not be phrasing it exactly the way you would like, that's no reason to take it quite so much to heart.

Your answer?

'because I choose to work part time'.

People are so bluddy nosey.

I only had kids so I could have maternity leave and Fridays 'off' :o

I work part-time because it is MY choice. I work with other mums who work full-time and if they do make any comments i just smile because i know they're jealous. I also know mums who once worked p/t and have now gone f/t and wish they hadn't. Don't let their comments get you down because it's really none of their business.

Whatever you do will be seen as wrong in someones eyes. Back to work full time? Hardnosed baby abandoning witch. Stay at home mum? Pathetic, career limiting bad example to your children scrounger. You really can't win so dont even try.

I founf ft work much easier with 1 child than pt work, fwiw.