Coworkers not understanding limitations of PT job with toddler

[Anonymous]

This is just a vent I suppose. I work a very PT job while my 1.5 yo is in a very PT church morning preschool. My coworkers and supervisors act like it's no big deal for me to switch days around and come in during off hours. However, in this cases, I have to pay her tuition PLUS a babysitter on the day that I was not supposed to be working, which runs at least $100 including commute. Plus we end up missing a gym class or some other enrichment activity that I have already paid for. I guess I am just frustrated I don't know whether to bring this up or not at work. I just want them to realize that it's not as easy as it sounds to switch a day around here or there.

[Anonymous]

Yes, you have to speak up and say that the schedule you need is firm. If that is not going to work for them, you need to realize that you need to seek another job.

[Anonymous]

I work very part-time as well. You have to be consistent about setting firm boundaries. You can do it in a friendly way. I wouldn't necessarily make a big deal about it by bringing it up right now. Next time someone asks you to switch, just say something like "Oh I really wish I could, but I only have daycare set up for the days I work.".

[Anonymous]

Op, I am with you. I work FT and I still get schedule late or weekends. A couple of times, I've talked my boss into giving the work to cowirkers (with their preapproval) or had to straight up set a boundary and say no or make a compromise. People who do what I do don't have bavies. The last one was 20 years ago.

[Anonymous]

Requests from coworkers who are not senior to you, I would politely decline their requests that are out of your regular hours. 9:10's suggestion along with a "I'll get to that first thing when I'm back in the office."

With your supervisor, if s/he's regularly requesting you to do things outside your agreed apon schedule, I would sit down and talk about that. If they need some one who's more flexible, then you need to look elsewhere.

[Anonymous]

Do you have your time out of office on your Outlook calendar? I have myself as "busy" anytime I don't have childcare, and I think that helps cut down on this.