Coworker Wants Me to Prioritize Her Kids Over My Own Activities

Being a working mother is tough, but does that mean I have to prioritize my coworker’s kids over my own activities? That’s the question I was faced with when a coworker asked me to cover an evening call because she had a soccer game to attend with her child. When I declined, she accused me of not having empathy for working parents. But is it fair for her to expect me to prioritize her activities over mine? I respect and empathize with working mothers, but I also value my own time and choices equally. Was I in the wrong? Read on to find out the details of the situation and decide for yourself.

Juggling work and personal life without kids, coworker troubles.

Can’t prioritize coworker’s kid over my own activities ‍♀️

Fairness in prioritizing work and outside commitments discussed amicably

Feeling judged for prioritizing my own activities over coworker’s kids ⚽

Supporting working mothers without sacrificing personal priorities

Empathy for working parents: A mother’s perspective

Choosing not to be a mother doesn’t mean lack of empathy ‍ ‍

Appreciation for supportive working mothers and call out against misogyny

Coworker prioritizes her kids over mine, AITA?

A 36-year-old married woman sought advice after a coworker asked her to prioritize her kids over her own outside-of-work activities. The coworker wanted her to cover an evening call because her son had a soccer game, but the woman had a volleyball game. The coworker said that her soccer game was more important than the woman’s volleyball game because it was for her kid. When the woman declined and explained that her outside-of-work commitments are not less important, the coworker scoffed at her.

The woman talked to a friend who is a mother, but she didn’t get the support she needed. She is now seeking advice to know if she was wrong or not. Working mothers need support, and it’s important to accommodate their schedules when it doesn’t cause significant inconvenience. But does it mean that people who don’t have kids should prioritize working mothers’ schedules over their own? Let’s see what the comments have to say.

Childfree OP supported by commenters for not prioritizing coworker’s kids

Being childfree doesn’t mean being obligated to cover for parents. NTA

Don’t let your co-worker prioritize her kids over your life ‍♀️

Keep your personal business private. NTA for setting boundaries.

Setting boundaries without justification.

Prioritizing hobbies over coworker’s kid’s hobby, NTA. ‍♀️

Commenter defends OP’s decision, while questioning the boss’s actions

Don’t let entitled parents guilt you into prioritizing their kids. #NTA ‍♀️

Fairness in sharing responsibilities. NTA wins.

Working parents deserve equal respect and workload. NTA.

Polite, but firm response perfectly shuts down entitled coworker.

Empathy for working parents doesn’t mean prioritizing random soccer games ⚽

No kids, no problem! Your time is just as valuable

You do you! Prioritizing your own life choices is important. #NotTheA**hole

Comment defends working parents while acknowledging potential unfairness to childfree workers.

Prioritizing your own activities is okay, NTA

Parent of 5 responds to entitled coworker’s request

Prioritizing personal commitments over coworker’s kids. Fair or not?

Stand up for yourself! Your personal time is valuable too! ‍♀️

Stand up for yourself and talk to HR about her behavior

Childfree and need to run errands? Don’t let parents guilt trip you! ‍♀️

Choosing to have kids means accepting the drawbacks. #NTA

Don’t let entitled coworkers guilt you out of your life ‍♀️

Your time is just as valuable as parents. NTA!

Coworker wants OP to prioritize her kids over their own life ‍ ‍ ‍ . OP receives support and points out coworkers’ rudeness ‍♂️.

Valuing personal time ≠ being anti-parent

Childfree coworker taking extra work, vilified for prioritizing own life ‍♀️

Putting yourself first is not always a bad thing

Set boundaries without justification to protect your personal time.

Boss needs to schedule availability. Moms need a life too!

Stand up for your priorities! NTA

Stand up for yourself at work #NotEntitled

Working moms can prioritize themselves sometimes too ‍

Setting boundaries with coworkers ‍

Stand up for yourself, you’re not a second class citizen

Prioritizing personal life during work hours is NTA

Childfree coworker stands up for herself against entitled parent.

Stand your ground! Your time is valuable too

Respect your work schedule

Parental entitlement at work? NTA prioritizing personal activities over coworker’s kids.

Prioritizing kids over other commitments? NTA says this parent

Set boundaries politely without revealing personal information

NTA for prioritizing own activities over coworker’s kids ‍♀️

Stand up for your right to work-life balance. ‍♀️

Prioritizing free time over kids? NTA, it’s a her problem

Don’t let guilt-tripping coworkers take advantage of you ‍♀️

You’re in the clear! Thumbs up emoji

Standing up for fair distribution of work as a working parent

Mother agrees: prioritize your own activities, not others’ demands.

Commenter is not the a**hole!

Not the a**hole, but what happened exactly?

Fairness in work shifts for parents without compromising others’ activities.

Don’t let others guilt you into sacrificing your freedom NTA

Stand your ground and prioritize your own plans #NTA

Prioritizing work over kids’ activities creates tension.

Prioritizing coworker’s kids over your activities? NTA, keep going