I am terrible at hiding my feelings. I have even been warned by judges about my facial expressions in response to opposing counsel. Call it honesty, lack of self-control, whatever- if I am feeling it, it's usually pretty easy to tell.
My coworker's easily achieved pregnancy (first month) has been really difficult for me. And now that the coworker who started trying a few months after I did has returned from maternity leave, I feel a little raw from the combination of these two events. But one can only avoid a person whose office is just feet away so much. And glaring daggers at a pregnant coworker probably isn't considered socially appropriate.
So, I have been doing my best to suppress what I know can easily be expressed on my face. But faking it is exhausting. I feel so seriously depleted by the end of a work day when I've had to "make nice" and listen to pregnancy/baby prattle. I find myself making faces at myself in the ladies' room as a way to relieve the suppression. I think I've flipped.
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14 comments:
I don't think you've flipped at all.
If I weren't on sabbatical I'd be doing exactly the same thing -- only dealing with 18 year old girls who suddenly find themselves pregnant. Whoops! And can't I find it in my heart to give them special treatment.
I think you're incredibly strong,
Pam
No, no. You haven't flipped. Not at all.
At least you aren't talking to yourself yet. . . like I do sometimes.
And if you are, then we are just crazy together!
completely understood. :(
I am the same way with facial expressions. I totally understand how you feel too.
You can take pictures of yourself making faces and put them up here. We get it.
You haven't flipped. Completely understandable. Sometimes I can't control my eye rolling - which I know my coworkers see. And, thank goodness for my Ipod, which has saved me numerous times from the pregnancy/baby conversations - just pretending my music is too loud to hear them.
No, you definitely haven't flipped. I agree with Ms. Infertile -- plug in an iPod if you can to avoid hearing those conversations.
Yes, similar to ms. infertile, I have headphones for my computer on which I listen to online streaming of Radio K, The Current, or a whatever CD I'm into at the moment.
Hell, you don't even have to be listening to anything. Just put on the headphones and ignore anyone that tries talking to you about anything in which you don't want to be involved. If anyone stops by your desk just act surprised - "Oh, sorry, I didn't hear you!" ;)
Totally normal and I am so in that Hades with you.......Put that smile on. ;)
Stay strong!!!!
Totally normal and I am so in that Hades with you.......Put that smile on. ;)
Stay strong!!!!
It's damn tough to have pregnancies in your face, I think you're coping remarkably well.
J
I'm right there with ya, darlin'. Both my best friend and my brother have managed to conceive and deliver beautiful children since I started trying, and as much as I want to feel happy for them, it's the best I can do to not snap at them! Damn them and their healthy reproductive systems.
Pregnant coworkers stink! You haven't flipped. In fact, I think you're handling it all remarkably well. I admire your restraint.
No, not flipped. I think that's totally normal. I usually work at home, but I went into the office on a Friday before a weekend that two of our admin assistants were holding first and second birthdays for their babies. It was all they talked about...ALL day. By noon I was being a complete bitch to them and as their boss it was totally unprofessional of me. I should have just gone into the bathroom and made faces!
No advice. Just hugs.
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