To admit that I thoroughly enjoy working full time and pursuing a career

[FloozeyLoozey]

I'm a single parent to 7 year old ds and it seems that if mums work full time, they always have to qualify it with the statement that they are just doing it out of financial necessity and would be part time if they could. I do have to work full-time for the money, but I love it and would do so even if I didn't have to. I work upwards of 42 hrs a week and wouldn't change it for the world.

Shrill! That's another classic, isn't it?
And kerala, yes, I agree. See also 'strong woman'. When did anyone last feel the need to say 'strong man' (outside of a circus context )?

OP said the following:
".....they always have to qualify it with the statement...."

As a SAHM I find the complete opposite, I always feel I am having to justify to family, friends and beyond why I am not working and why I think my time with the DCs is time well spent. The general view seems to be that if you are not bringing money in, then you are not worth anything.

Agree that sahms get it too. Woman, justify your decision so i am satisfied.
Women can't do right for doing wrong...

Essentially it is women who are prtrayed negatively, whatever their working status.

But since the vast majority of mothers do work, it seems to me especially bonkers that they should be demonised as a group.

Zoe Williams did a brilliant piece on this in the Guardian a few weeks ago -

"I think the only way you could gain approval for your time-management, as a mother, would be to look after your children all the time as well as working full-time but for some socially useful enterprise (ideally voluntary work), while never relying on a man for money, yet never claiming benefits either, but God forbid that you should have a private income. Mothers in society act as whipping boys for almost all other social fissures; oh, the irony of there being no female equivalent for the phrase "whipping boy", when it is almost always a female. Oh the side-spitting irony. "

love Zoe!

YANBU.

I have enjoyed being a working parent (disclaimer: hate the particular role I am in at the mo, but with the job I do it isn't a forever thing!).

I like the word 'strident', and have always thought it a positive word but it never occurred to me until now that it can be quite negative too. Am not so sure I want to be strident anymore!!

I have had to justify to people many times over the years why I am still working full time, mostly men tbh - it gets very wearing at times.

I agree with the Zoe Williams article, essentially whether a woman works or stays at home someone somewhere will have a negative opinion on this.

Perhaps if we stop making apologies for our choices and hiding behind the White lies that we think make our choices seem more socially acceptable it would go some way towards helping change attitudes.

It would definitely help if women could just start being a bit less judge about other women.

Oh yes and strident is one of those words used to describe women who dare to have strong opinions, men with similar strong opinions are passionate.

You know, if FT was my contracted amount, I really feel as if I wouldn't mind working FT at all. Even if it was, say, 40h rather than 37.5, I don't think I would mind either. But when it is regularly 45-50h, as it has been for the last year, then I find myself craving some type of balance, especially when I don't love this job at all.

It's not easy, is it? And I have excellent, flexible (and expensive) childcare. I keep telling myself that it will be worth it in the long run, but it's hard to see through the fog at the moment.

chund I mostly work from home, so seem to get a relatively easy ride in the press.

That said, I think it's because people assume I can work, earn loads, pay tax and be a domestic goddess .

YABU to "admit" it rather than say it, state it etc.

But I know what you mean so YANBU!

Good for you op but what is your career that brings you so much joy?!

Yanbu. No one would even raise the question if you were a man.

I welcome your honesty. I get quite annoyed when women say they have to work and would rather be at home but they need to work when they live very comfy lifestyles without their wage. I wish they would be like you and just be honest!

kerala can you post the link to the Williams piece? I would love to read it and post it above my desk for those guilt-ridden moments

No I don't need strangers to validate my life choices, but like everyone, I'm prone to insecurity and the odd wobble from time to time.

I don't actually have an amazing job or even a vocational one! I'm a civil service office manager in a busy, diverse, stressful and challenging environment. I'm often run ragged but I do enjoy it.