Can't Have "Mom" Conversations Anymore. Just Me??

[spedmommy4]

I went to my little sisters baby shower and the moms there were a little younger than me. Not much. I had kids in my early 20's and all these women were in their early to mid-30's. Most of their kids were 1-3 years old.

They were talking about potty training, "me time", their kids behavior, and how awful it is that child cares are closed on holidays. One of the moms said, "I'd have to take a sick day to get a break." I just can't join in on these conversations. I sat and bit my tongue. I can't have a normal "mom" conversation on any of these topics now that I do this job. Is it just me?

[childcaremom]

No, it's not just you.

I hear some daycare remarks here and there and try to ignore. I understand that they don't see our perspective but it still irritates the heck out of me.

I find that once my daycare day is done, I don't want to hear anything related to work.

[Thriftylady]

I don't know if I could have kept my mouth shut, good thing I wasn't there.

[Blackcat31]

I can't have a normal "mom" conversation on any of these topics now that I do this job. Is it just me?

Now that I do this job, I don't WANT to have normal "mom" conversations.

The masses have definitely ruined that.

Mostly because I know the other side of their vents/bitches and mostly because I (we all) know the truth. ::

[Mike]

I don't know if I could have kept my mouth shut, good thing I wasn't there.

I'm with you there.
I haven't even started the business yet, but if I heard people complaining about child care in general, I'd have a hard time to not speak up.

How else will they learn?

[Blackcat31]

I'm with you there.
I haven't even started the business yet, but if I heard people complaining about child care in general, I'd have a hard time to not speak up.

How else will they learn?

Unfortunately they rarely learn from words.

As evidenced within this forum, they learn from actions.

[spedmommy4]

Now that I do this job, I don't WANT to have normal "mom" conversations.

The masses have definitely ruined that.

Mostly because I know the other side of their vents/bitches and mostly because I (we all) know the truth. ::

Haha. You are right, of course. Most of the kids were at this baby shower so it was interesting to see the family dynamic outside my job. I also found it interesting that the handful of moms venting about "me time" were dealing with, hands down, the worst behaviors out of all the kids.

My sister has a few very close friends and they were talking about work life balance, feeling guilty about leaving the kids, and the activities they enjoyed doing with their kids. Those little ones were awesome during the whole event.

Could be a coincidence but . . .

[Second Home]

I had a mom from our karate studio complaining about how her preschool/daycare makes the kids nap and it causes her kids to not go to bed at night . Well I had a bad day that day and I couldn't not say anything .I told her that state guidelines require all non school aged children to rest . It is not up to the preschool it is a state law .

I know her parenting style and know the kids and it is NOT a napping issue .

[sharlan]

I just bite my tongue and move away. You can't change people.

[thrivingchildcarecom]

You know what? I think you can join in these conversations. I actually think because you are a provider you have a unique opportunity to give other mom's insight from the providers perspective.

I know it might be a little complicated, but see if you can share some of the challenges us providers have, like only having holidays off and not being able to take a sick day. Or even the challenges providers have when parents aren't consistent with potty learning. Or how we rarely get "me time", even on the weekends when parents call or text.

I'm not trying to be funny here, but I think you might be in a position to really educate parents. I would love to know your thoughts.

[Ariana]

I never ever ever bite my tongue . You may already know this about me by now! I just try to explain how things work in a business. That usually shuts them up. I am sooooo over the whole parenting talks too

So glad I am not alone in this!

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

You know what? I think you can join in these conversations. I actually think because you are a provider you have a unique opportunity to give other mom's insight from the providers perspective.

I know it might be a little complicated, but see if you can share some of the challenges us providers have, like only having holidays off and not being able to take a sick day. Or even the challenges providers have when parents aren't consistent with potty learning. Or how we rarely get "me time", even on the weekends when parents call or text.

I'm not trying to be funny here, but I think you might be in a position to really educate parents. I would love to know your thoughts.

I do this. I don't think I'm bestowing great wisdom on the other Moms but if they're going to say their side then I'm going to say my side. Nicely, but just as passionately.

[Snowmom]

I never ever ever bite my tongue . You may already know this about me by now! I just try to explain how things work in a business. That usually shuts them up. I am sooooo over the whole parenting talks too

So glad I am not alone in this!

Me either. I get myself in trouble though, because I'm the 'sarcastic one liner type' Mom with no filter.

I'm not terribly popular in these situations.

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

Me either. I get myself in trouble though, because I'm the 'sarcastic one liner type' Mom with no filter.

I'm not terribly popular in these situations.

Oh how I wish you lived near me. I much prefer spicy moms to perfect moms. ::

[Blackcat31]

If a parent asks and is genuinely interested in the answer I will "educate" them.

If not, I don't waste my breath.
I've got better things to do with my time.

I don't think it does any good as it's evidenced (by this board and all the venting threads we read every day) that parents don't really care.