Children: The Ultimate Escape Hatch

Okay, every month, we have a public event that requires staff to work on the weekends. One of our co-workers always shows up with her child in tow.

The child is cute... but after about 30 minutes at the event, the little ADORA gets ugly. The kid becomes a whining nuisance, which means -- MOMMY needs to shirk her work duties and go tend to the kid, walk the kid, feed the kid, find quiet time with the kid or sometimes --- leave with the kid for minutes up to hours. Still, MOMMY gets pay and acknowledgment for being at the event!!!!

Why bring the kid when you have people at home who can take care of it??????? I've gotten to the point, every time I see the kid, all the "cutesy-wutsey" small talk just runs out of my body. I have nothing to offer the child. It's not little ADORA's fault. The blame starts with me and ends with MOMMY.

I truly believe that MOMMY brings the kid to these events simply to find a way to escape from being on duty. I like kids --- don't get me wrong. But one thing I detest is manipulation --- and that's exactly what this smells like.

I sometimes want to confront MOMMY about being a selfish con artist --- or at times simply say to her "Please don't bring ADORA".... but most people (including my co-workers) would probably make me out to be a monster. I'm not... I'm simply someone who does not make much money, have a life of my own, work hard, but have to pick up the slack and do double-duty when it really isn't necessary.

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burgerkink (10/31/2009) Since this seems to be an ongoing thing, do the people paying all you 'volunteers' wages actually know she is not doing what she volunteered for? It is not very good of a company to let something like that slide, and it can grow. The idea that she spends paid time with her child is apt to cause problems over time. If the others don't have children and just dote on the idea of motherhood, maybe you can step aside and let them help mommy out, so she can stay and help like the rest. Consider it a learning opportunity for them. thelma (11/02/2009) Are you getting paid or given comp time for your weekend work? If not, I don't see the problem with bringing Adora or a whole quiverfull.