To think I and other people with commitments should get a medal

[GrrrrrreeeNotgreatactually]

Kids have an inset day and their dad is home and so for the first time (possibly ever) I am getting ready for work without having to get them ready for school, nursery, holiday club.
I'm actually bored. It's not time to leave yet. I'm dressed. I've even done a bit around the house. It makes me think of how easy this is, even for a serial procrastinator like me. So know I'm wondering about all my child free colleagues who roll their eyes when I come in frazzled, frizzy, five minutes late (I also stay late) and sometimes with someone else's toothpaste on me. Do they have any idea how easy it is to get yourself out of the house for work compared to getting other little two people out the door (who frankly aren't as motivated)? Do they not realise that those of us with kids/ caring responsibilities are not just wilfully blasé but that it's actually really fucking difficult to get somewhere (almost) on time without looking like you've been through tough mudder with an added sticky fingers obstacle?
I could do this every day.

I look back to my 20s and how much I struggled to get to work every day and laugh. To be fair, I was out drinking every night.

There are some very miserable people on this lighthearted thread. Don't let them get to you OP. I know I've gained a lot of empathy since having children and no longer judge people who turn up late / leave on the dot of whatever.

There are the people who show up late every day - it doesn't matter if they live opposite the school/work, have one child or ten or have a spouse at home...and they always have a story/excuse about why they are late or in a mess. I think you might need to get up earlier OP and get a bit more organised.

Or their dad could just help more and you'd have a less stressful morning.

Living far away from my workplace doesn't give me an excuse to be late to work, I leave earlier. Having two young children doesn't give me an excuse to be late, whichever of us is working from home gets them to nursery.

My MIL has dementia and stayed last night after a trip to hospital. We cleaned the crap off the bed, the carpet, the bathroom wall , toilet and all the door handles she tried on her way to the bathroom, before showering her and dressing her ... then I walked the dog and I got myself ready for work. Good job it's only a 10 min walk. Christ, I'm nostalgic for the days it was a bit of toothpaste...

We all deserve our own medals in many ways for many things. Life is not a competitive sport, we all muddle along as best we can.

MIL is now sitting eating breakfast, oblivious, with a big smile because it is poached egg with salt and pepper... her favourite.

It's not a lighthearted post. You can see that from the OP and then her subsequent responses.

Why would you have toothpaste over you?? Is that your badge of honor to prove how mummy martyr you are. Fgs you chose to have kids, no you don't need a medal but a head wobble instead.

Yes it can be stressful and hectic in the mornings. I have four and I find it much smoother if clothes are laid out, including shoes, and also teach them how go get their own breakfast as soon as they're able. My 4 year old makes his own cereal (and enjoys doing it!)
But childfree people will have their own stressors too. We chose to have kids and as they get older they do more for themselves so there's an "end" in sight.

From the responses I see that mums net is becoming a breeding ground for those who are severely lacking a sense of humour, and take everything literally.

I’d give you a medal Op - that consists of a coffee and a toasted tea cake on the go! And a baby wipe to wipe that toothpaste off!

@MuraRocker apparently so!
This was intended to be light hearted. I do work later to make up for being five minutes and it doesn't impact on anyone else.

Honestly mumsnet is absolutely full of bitter and resentful bellends. With no self-awareness.

I don’t agree you do anything amazing because many of us with children still get to work on time and ready to start but…

I do not understand the vitriol aimed at parents complaining it’s hard. Yes it’s a choice but it’s an uninformed one, until it’s too late you have no idea what it’s like. We all make decisions that make our lives harder but it’s only children we are allowed to moan about. I picked a career that required a lot of exams at the start. For 3 years they dominated my life and I would often moan how hard they were. All I got was sympathy, even though I picked the career and it was benefitting me and me alone. People choose to train for marathons etc, a choice but people are often very supportive of their hard work and effort.

*that should says it’s only children we aren’t allowed to moan about

Why isn't your DH sharing the load?

I'm childless & one of the reasons is that I never got to work looking calm, org8 & was probably the rocking toothpaste look too.

I actually marvel at people with kids & jobs & a social life. I just have no clue how to do it all.

So I don't....😁

Organised, see, can't even type! 😳

I do hear you but honestly.

Not being sure that I could comfortably be responsible for anyone else getting up, well growing up in addition to myself was only one of the many, many compelling reasons why I do not have my own children.

Choices really do have consequences.

@BeyondMyWits I completely included those with other caring responsibilities in my OP. I know there are many out there with both parenting and older adult caring responsibilities and I can't imagine how tough it is.
I wish it wasn't still taboo to say what we have going on at home. I heard a conversation between someone from the senior leadership team and a manger about potential candidates for a job and the higher up was talking about choosing a candidate 'with less going on at home' aka kids and aging parents. It's a horrid form of discrimination which still effects women.

Sounds very familiar @BeyondMyWits . You're doing an amazing job.

@ShaunaTheSheep he works shifts and is out the house at 7am, before the fun begins!

Hopefully the OP will see this and learn from this message👍🏻!

One morning I noticed my Manager had not done her zips up on her boots..and she replied simply: “I have kids”