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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To find it amusing the lengths some parents will go to in order to be apart from their kids?

203 replies

WelcomeToTheAssEatery · 20/03/2020 21:24

Just that really. My employer has given us permission to work from home to reduce the amount of people on site in order to reduce risk of contracting COVID-19.

However there are some parents in my office who are STILL coming to work just so they don't have to deal with their kids. I just find it wild.

Someone actually said today they couldn't care less about contracting the virus, they just don't want to be at home.

It makes me wonder what the point of having kids for some people is if they will go to such lengths to avoid spending time with them.

OP posts:
Thymelord · 20/03/2020 21:25

You don't find it amusing. You want people to join in and tell you that they are shit parents and that you are a better one. Just be honest.

Iminaglasscaseofemotion · 20/03/2020 21:26

Yup. I know a couple, both can wfh, one works 2 days a week. They are desperately trying to figure out how to get around the key workers rule (because neither of them are) so their children can still go. It enrages me.

EmAndes · 20/03/2020 21:26

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
WelcomeToTheAssEatery · 20/03/2020 21:27

@Thymelord Well here's the thing...I'm not a parent. Unless you class a terrier as a child ;)

But seriously... I have been weighing up the pros and cons of procreating and stuff like this has my mind boggled. It does amuse me slightly.

OP posts:
Iminaglasscaseofemotion · 20/03/2020 21:27

No they are taking up space for the children who's parents actually need it. Right now that's a shitty thing to do.

Original poster
WelcomeToTheAssEatery · 20/03/2020 21:27

@EmAndes Nope :)

OP posts:
Dozer · 20/03/2020 21:28

What kind of ages are your colleagues’ DC? Are your colleagues fathers or mothers?

Clevererthanyou · 20/03/2020 21:29

You don’t need to be a parent to work out when someone else is a shit parent. If you’d rather risk contracting a serious virus than be around your kids, it doesn’t make you Maria Von Trapp does it Grin

Rocketinapocket · 20/03/2020 21:29

When people have children they assume they will attend school. Things are very difficult for parents right now, so maybe you could try to understand that.

Original poster
WelcomeToTheAssEatery · 20/03/2020 21:30

@Dozer My colleagues kids are ages 4-9. One of them is a mother and the other is a father. They are trying to pass off either themselves or their partners as a key worker so they can send them to school...

OP posts:
Christmastreedown · 20/03/2020 21:31

It's understandable some parents need a break from a trapped house although this is not the best time!

Boulshired · 20/03/2020 21:32

In normal circumstances working from home with children around can leave you feeling you are failing at work and as a parent. I hated working from home. However these are not normal times so this is more about isolation than parenting judgement.

bushhbb · 20/03/2020 21:32

YABU

this isn't spending a weekend at home. We're talking months on end, 24/7 with your kids, indoors. Can't go anywhere. It's fucking painfully boring and having a pet dog in no way compares to dealing with being trapped with overhyped, understimulated kids in a small room

Theyrecomingtotakemeawayhaha · 20/03/2020 21:32

My DD is 16 so no problem but how do you really work at home with younger children who need your attention.

BeetrootRocks · 20/03/2020 21:32

I think pretending to be a key worker when you aren't is a dick move.

The list is extensive though are you sure they aren't on it

noloh1 · 20/03/2020 21:33

It can be very difficult to work from home when you have small children there. I know my partner is going to struggle when he has back to back conference calls and a two year old who wants to play.

Original poster
WelcomeToTheAssEatery · 20/03/2020 21:35

@bushhbb I would just like to ask at what point did I explicitly say that having a pet dog compares to dealing with being trapped with overhyped, understimulated kids in a small room?

Cheers :)

OP posts:
woodhill · 20/03/2020 21:36

Yes but at the end of the day they are your dc and you need to take responsibility for them not the school unless you are a legitimate key worker.

Horrendous being trapped at home with them 24/7 but perhaps in the end everyone will get used to it

bushhbb · 20/03/2020 21:37

Well, you're not a parent, so you're hardly in a place to judge. Lying about job status is one thing - but judging parents for wanting to be at work?

As I say, before I had kids, I was very snooty about a lot of things, but you realise how annoying kids are when you actually have them.

A dog is not a good comparison. Why mention your dog if you weren't comparing the two?

Darbs76 · 20/03/2020 21:39

Companies need to enforce home working for those with laptops. We only have staff who are waiting on laptops to be in the office

SudokuQueen · 20/03/2020 21:39

Yanbu op.

They are parents. You don't get to pick and choose which aspects of parenthood you get to keep and which to get rid of (well some parents do but you shouldn't).

We are in a shit time right now. Trying to pretend to be a keyworker is just being a dick. You can't realistically expect free time right now, it's not going to happen. It will be shit months, but that's hopefully all it will be, a few months.

You want to continue going out and spreading it? Fine. Expect a few YEARS of this constant being around your kids then. You decide.

EekThreek · 20/03/2020 21:40

Have to say, I'm properly dreading next week when dh has to go to work and I'm trying to wfh with a 9, 5 and 2yo. All need differing levels of supervision and input, and I have 3 video calls, one of which I'm presenting, over Monday and Tuesday. Dh isn't a key worker, so they can't go anywhere else, but he has to be at work until everyone else is set up for wfh (IT role).

I'm not going to be a good parent, or a good worker, over the coming weeks while I do a shit job of juggling both. And I'll have no escape from it for the foreseeable.

I love them dearly, obviously, but I am not looking forward to being locked in with them for an undefined period of time.

Original poster
WelcomeToTheAssEatery · 20/03/2020 21:41

@bushhbb well then if they’re so annoying I don’t think I’ll be having any to be honest hahaha.

And me mentioning my dog was a light hearted joke... you just wanted me to be comparing the two so that you could shout me down for “judging parents”

OP posts:
SudokuQueen · 20/03/2020 21:41

As I say, before I had kids, I was very snooty about a lot of things, but you realise how annoying kids are when you actually have them.

Also, how did you not realise that BEFORE kids? I don't have kids, never spend time with them if i can help it, and even I know they are assholes. Constant questioning, screaming for no reason, running around all the time, refusing to do what they are told. How did you not see that coming? 😂

crispysausagerolls · 20/03/2020 21:42

I’m on day 3 of being stuck inside with my toddler. I am a SAHM so fully used to endless days and nights with him but being stuck IN is such a different kettle of fish and I’m already climbing the walls - as is he btw.

HOWEVER come the fuck on! You can’t just try to lie your way out of being responsible for them, and use the resources in place for those who are vital to this crisis and really need them.