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Does anyone else find the hardest part of working parenthood is the last hour of the day rather than the mornings?
My nursery closes at 6. I have to leave the office at 5.10 to make it. Without fail, someone books a 'quick 15 mins' at 4.45. I've started blocking my diary from 5 but people just book over it.
How do you handle this without looking like you're not committed?
I just say 'I'm out at 5 for nursery, can we do tomorrow at 9?' every single time. After a few weeks people stopped booking it. It feels awkward the first five times and then it doesn't.
Name it as a hard stop at the start of the meeting. 'Just to flag I have a hard stop at 5.05.' Then actually leave at 5.05 even mid-sentence. You'd do it for a client.
Honestly I changed jobs over this. Previous boss would say 'of course, family first' and then roll his eyes. New place has core hours 10-4 and nobody books outside them. It's not you, it's the culture.
'You'd do it for a client' is really landing with me. Why do I treat nursery like it's less important than a client call.
As a dad I'll add that it helps when men do this too. I make a point of saying 'I'm off to do pickup' out loud in the office so it's normal for everyone.
Not everyone can just leave or change jobs though. I'm on a rota in a hospital and there is no hard stop. Partner and a childminder with late hours are the only reason we survive.
Fair point, shift work is a whole different level. Respect to you.
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