Networking/ Office Parties with Children

[Amma]

Can anyone relate to this? I am abroad where they take pride in things being less hierarchical than the UK. They have monthly office drinks parties where children are welcome and last time I brought ds, no problem. They then had a reception for we visitors and when I asked, I was told it was informal and I could bring ds. It turned out to be full of very senior people indeed only and it was quite a weird experience being introduced to such senior characters with a toddler clinging to my knees and listen to speeches with one eye on ds fearing that his chatting was going to get louder than the speech! What do you do about profesional networking these days? I must say that I opt out of works drinks as much as I can, because I find it dull and resent having to spend an evening in work company away from the family, when I have been away all day already. Do you think that I should make a bigger effort to go to works drinks, ie that I will lose out at work if I don't in the long run? Do you think that we should ask for these events to be more informal, so that we can occasionally bring our children and partners with us?

I can completely understand. I live v. near to my office and was invited to bring the baby along to the summer social which was 3 weeks before I went back. I went but felt so out of place. Once everybody had said "Oh what a beautiful baby" they couldn't really think of much else to say to me, and I couldn't join in the office gossip having been away and not knowing about all the things they were talking about. I left after 30 mins and went home and cried because I felt like nobody (including me) could relate to me as anything but a mother anymore.

Now that I am back at work I have been out after work once, and it was better. Without the baby I could concentrate on having a good time myself. I have now arranged with dh that we will alternate Thursday night pick-ups (Thursday being the going out night in the city) so taht we can both network. So much is discussed on these drinks nights that if you don't go you end up being left out of the loop on things and missing out on opportunities - just another example of how working life indirectly discriminates against parents!

Nothing to do with after work socials, but even though I work in a small friendly team, I feel left out at work.
Quite often when meetings are held either on my day off or after I have left at 3pm, they forget to tell me and also dismiss me for any opportunities which arise, ie career progression etc.
Although I get on well with everybody I do feel quite isolated, ie woman and part time!!!

kkgirl - they cannot not consider you for promotion because you are part time. If there is a new job that comes up the onus is on the employer to give valid business reasons as to why it cannot be done on a part time basis. It might be time for a subtle reminder to your employer/team.

Prufrock

Sorry I obviously was misleading in what I said. I haven't actually applied for any promotions, but what I really meant was that they have dismissed me in the past for personal development schemes which is still wrong of them, just because I am part time doesn't mean I wouldn't be interested. I should have said something at the time really.
Also although they have to give a very good reason if they can't have part timers or job sharers in the post, as we all know, there are ways and means of excluding people.