Imagine sharing an office with someone who has a problem with your kids’ drawings and family pictures. That’s what our 27-year-old mom of five is dealing with. She shares an office with a man in his 50s, and while her side of the office is adorned with her children’s artwork and family photos, his side is bare, save for a diploma and a clock. When he starts demanding she remove her personal items, she’s faced with a dilemma: stand her ground or cave to his demands?
Office Divided: Personal vs. Professional ️
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/f89b0cc0-0802-47bf-9c74-2f56781e27b8.png)
Mom’s Office Decor: Kids’ Art & Family Photos
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/f82fbecc-d676-486c-90df-65e6d0b715dc.png)
Frames for Each Child’s Masterpiece ️
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/dc1cc3a5-67f0-43f8-b64e-b8ca6741bca7.png)
Family Photo on Desk
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/4f68edf2-a264-4fe5-91dd-10fed7c6a834.png)
Clients Love the Artwork!
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/358a2ad5-4277-4ee2-b983-549bebec987e.png)
Coworker’s Side: Diploma & Clock ️
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/bad1809c-28bb-4ea6-968f-c19474f6cc55.png)
Coworker’s Demand: Remove Personal Items
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/c648e602-8421-468d-87f2-085b4b28b364.png)
Mom Stands Her Ground
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/f68df605-8d61-4826-82c5-fd12eba65e04.png)
Coworker Gets Mad
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/cff2d809-cf4f-47fe-8082-0d313d6105b6.png)
Suggests Fridge Alternative
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/a9f4598d-b7d8-43d4-9bdb-b2042bd09455.png)
Another Coworker Chimes In ️
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/58d9ee6f-34c9-4f4c-8699-8b06ce1679db.png)
Husband’s Perspective ♂️
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/0cac9eba-bc26-4ab0-b45d-7656fa3fe378.png)
Pregnancy & COVID Concerns
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/dc27e897-7cd5-4236-aab4-b3ae37859071.png)
Sexist & Kid-Hating?
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/f0e4d311-8a0e-40a7-ba2f-eb32f4fbe7c2.png)
Office Showdown: Mom vs. Coworker
So, we have a mom who loves displaying her kids’ artwork and family photos in her office, but her coworker is demanding she remove them, claiming it makes the office look unprofessional. Despite the company policy allowing personal items, he’s adamant that her side of the office looks like a circus! Even another coworker sides with him, saying that sharing an office with her is damaging his reputation. But our mom isn’t backing down, with her husband supporting her decision. As she faces pregnancy and COVID concerns, she wonders if her coworker is just sexist and hates kids. What do you think about this office showdown?
NTA. Suggest drawing a picture of the grump for revenge.

NTA comment section: Supportive comments and personal experiences shared.

Coworker demands removal of kids’ artwork, but NTA prevails with witty clapback

NTA. HR should be informed of coworker’s toxic behavior.

Displaying kids’ artwork is acceptable if it’s tidy and professional-looking.

Colleague demands removal of kids’ artwork, but NTA. Discussion on professionalism.

Small acts of kindness from children can brighten our day!

Comment and replies discussing the number and adoption of OP’s children.
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/a18be80f-da45-43cb-adeb-69ebea086504.png)
NTA, but coworker may have a point about office decor

What’s the job? Architecture. Why does it matter?

Defending personal expression in the office. Stand your ground!
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/8031d8cf-0538-40bb-8dc1-6444c89b9d3d.png)
Age vs. Reputation: A Battle for Office Space

Is it unprofessional to have kids’ artwork in the office?

Compromise is key . A large frame can formalize the presentation.

Balancing family and work decor: A compromise is key

Jealous coworker demands removal of kids’ artwork from office, NTA wins

Navigating office politics can be tough, even when you’re NTA

Compromise suggested for coworker bothered by kids’ artwork

Coworker complains about 10 frames of kids’ artwork in office

Personal items in the office can boost morale and creativity. NTA.

NTA, defending personal expression in the workplace

Sharing an office with clashing styles can be annoying
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/2fe2ccdf-e3a1-45e2-82c5-61f78708f81e.png)
Commenter receives backlash for calling OP unprofessional.

Comment shaming parent’s family size.

When office decor becomes a battleground
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/e0486bd5-db5a-4132-8004-afdfe529e869.png)
Is displaying kids’ artwork in the office unprofessional?
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/55b5a187-96cb-4ccd-a83a-05cf678fb86b.png)
Coworkers find mom’s kids’ artwork annoying. YTA.

Navigating office decorum and professionalism can be tricky.

Commenter calls out coworker’s stick up his a** attitude
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/d73de30d-5be8-4fe3-b10e-cd93db0bf9b9.png)
Commenter jokes about coworker’s large family size

Curious about the business’s relevance to the artwork dispute?

Defend your workspace! NTA should report to HR

NTA, but with a sixth child on the way…

Commenter calls out OP’s life choices, gets upvoted.
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/c5801433-58ba-4700-bbd1-8bcee8164d37.png)
Be careful of coworker’s grudge. NTA, accused for absurd reasons.

Coworker’s art-hating attitude gets called out with NTA comment

Claim your space! NTA, but consider clients’ perspective

Navigating professional boundaries with personal items in the office.

Curious questions and a supportive suggestion for displaying artwork.

Judgmental comment gets no sympathy from commenters

Commenter suggests compromise in shared office spaces with kids’ artwork
![Image credit: [deleted] | [deleted]](https://static.diply.com/6e128b46-b1cd-49b0-87f1-840fe9868e80.png)
Coworker demands removal of kids’ artwork, NTA stands up.

Defend your territory! NTA and don’t let grumps bring you down!

Kids’ drawings shouldn’t harm reputation. Not the a**hole.

Assert your authority and shut down Mr. Grumpypants. NTA

Don’t let a curmudgeon ruin your kids’ artwork display

Short and sassy comment with no replies.

Coworker dislikes kids’ artwork in shared office space. YTA.
