Not all of us are happy about me getting a job. I mean, we are thankful, and we will be happier when the paychecks start rolling in. But Monday morning my daughter got upset with me on the way to school. I don't remember what prompted it, but she said "I don't even feel like your daughter anymore!"
"Why not?" I asked.
"I don't want to talk about it now," she said, and went on to school.
That evening she referenced the conversation, so I asked right then for her to expand on it.
"I feel like you're never here. You're always at work."
We're not even two weeks into it. I'm feeling really blessed because I am allowed to take her to school at 8:30 a.m. before making that 45-minute drive to work. I don't take a lunch break so I can leave at 5:30 and be home shortly after 6 p.m. I can take an afternoon off to take her to the doctor. Whatever its shortfalls, this career field is the most flexible I've ever known.
But I guess five months is enough time for all of us to forget what its like being in a single working parent's home. I hated seeing that look in her eyes, but I told her, "I can understand why you would feel that way. I've been home for a long time. But I have to work to pay the bills. I understand how you feel, but it can't be helped."
I'm happy she seemed to understand. She hasn't said it again. I guess it will take some time to readjust.
No comments:
Post a Comment