Interesting "watercooler" conversation
Posted
Wednesday, January 23, 2008 3:51 PM
I took a quick coffee break earlier this afternoon and while I was settling into my usual table by the window, a coworker came up and asked to join me. I said "yes of course, I'd love the company".. little did I know what I was in for.
After some small talk, the coworker proceeds to ask me when my husband and I will have children. Um, okay, I think she's continuing to make "small-talk" but maybe its getting a bit too personal? I rarely interact with this coworker other than our 2 second "hello, how are you's" in passing in the hallway; so her question doesnt sit well with me from the start. I politely say, " well, we are not sure, we have some time to think and plan, we are in no rush to start having children yet." And attempt to change the subject. To this she says "well, I guess that makes sense since you want to make a little more money before you have kids and stop working." Again, I think "umm okay, stop working?" She sees the confused look on my face and says "well you surely are not going to continue with your career once you have children are you? That would be crazy and wrong! A woman has to stay home w/her children if she wants to raise them properly." Trying to maintain politeness I say, "that may be the opinion and practice of some women, but it is not the opinion and practice of all women, including myself". She looks at me with horror and says that I must not have been raised to understand that children are more important than jobs. WTH!?!?!?!?
I think a woman's decision to be a SAHM is her and her husband's decision and no decision to stay at home, or continue working is right or wrong. I dont believe that by not being a SAHM you are crazy or doing an injustice to your children, nor do I belive it makes you a bad mother- am I completely off my rocker here???!