BellaOnline Forums Relationships Married No Kids Work Troubles

Okay, I don't know where to start with this one, but I will try to keep it short. I work in a small law firm (3 attorneys) and two of the partners are father and son. For some reason the son feels that he has to bring his 2 brats into the office at least once a week. Then, he doesn't keep an eye on them. They play with the copy machine, the electric stapler, and the copy stamp (which they use on any surface they please, including my desk). One time one of the kids started crying because he said that I was mean. I only asked him to please not touch anything on my desk because I have a lot of important files there. By the way, the kids are 6 and 4. It is like I am expected to watch these kids while they run around and do whatever they please. I am not being paid to babysit, in my eyes. These kids do not listen to ANYONE. The father brought them in one morning in light-weight jackets, no hats, no gloves and the schools were closed because of the really low temperature and wind chill. Someone asked where these items were and the father replied, "I tried to tell them, but they wouldn't listen." Nice. I am just tired of seeing these brats come in and I am supposed to ooh and ahh over how cute they are. Give me a break. Everything they do is funny to the family. I am trying to find another job, but the area I live in doesn't have many options. Any advice on this one? Thanks.

SmallTownGirl... your idea of finding another job is a good one. I noticed in your post in another thread that you and your husband were thinking about moving to a larger town, where you could be more anonymous. Maybe this would be a good time to look for that job in a larger city???
As much as I would have loved to stay in the smaller city that I grew up in, I knew there were not many jobs there, and I had to move to a larger one. Sometimes I miss the small city environment, but I can always visit.
I'm sure that you could find work in a law firm in just about any medium - large city you want.
Good luck!
And just ignore the kids if you can. Give them the evil eye and maybe they will leave you alone :-)

I'm so sorry to hear about your inconsiderate boss. I'm lucky - where I work, the kids that come in are realy well behaved. They either stay in their mom's office or sit quietly in a chair and play with a toy or look at a book.

It seems like you're not doing anything wrong or out of line - telling them not to touch your stuff is totally your right!

Next time they come in and they're being brats, try giving them some paper and pencils or highlighters or something and ask them to draw one picture for their mom and one picture for their dad. That seems to work when I have a bratty kid in childcare ... Maybe if they come in often, suggest to your boss that they need their own "desk" - maybe just a small table and some folding chairs where they can sit and feel important - suggest a ream of paper, some crayons, and some tape or a stapler. Then maybe they won't mess with everyone else's things.

Hi SmallTownGirl. I work in an office of less than 20 people, several of them have young kids (they don't come in very often, fortunately). I agree with Ingilbert about getting some supplies to keep them occupied is a great idea. I actually keep a pad of cheap drawing paper and box of crayons in my drawer, along with various "toys" (we go to trade shows so I pick up trinkets and those squishy stress things). They are great ways to keep bored kids out of trouble. I usually ask them to draw me a picture of something - bunnies, their house, cars, etc. and then say "oh that's nice! but what if it was..." winter/summer/a race car/a horse (you get the idea).

ps - I'm in Columbus! It's a great city, btw! And somehow (through animal rescue?) we have lots of CF friends!

Of course the guy is laughing...if not, he'd be crying. He knows that the little monsters rule his life --- and worse yet, that he let it happen.

Having only visited Columbus once music convention, I don't have a huge basis for comparison, but I have to say I truly enjoyed it. And any town with an arty district with a name like "The Short North" is worth getting to know better. 8^)

Kids love those squishy toys. We have a kid that comes to our office all the time and is in everyone's face. It drives me nuts too. She will take a squishy thing off my desk and play with it like it is the coolest thing ever.

Ughhhh - what a nightmare. I also would have told them not to touch my stuff. The new job and art supplies are great suggestions.

Thanks for all of the great feedback. My husband and I have actually been considering moving to Columbus. We are huge hockey fans, so we have had a chance to check out the city a few times. Unfortunately, we have to wait another year or so for the equity to build up on our house and my husband is finishing up school. The attorney took his 4 year old with him to court this morning too. I just don't think that looks very professional, but who am I? After all, the kids are just so darn cute. I think that I will opt for the cheap crayons and stuff. Hopefully that will appease them and keep them out of my hair. I don't mind children as long as they behave. Everyone here pretty much knows my stance on kids. I just wish they would have the decency to respect that.

See thats an irresponsible parent what hte hell are a 6 and a 4 year old supposed to do at a law firm. Then he brings no activiites for htem and fails to keep them occupied, ugh. It really is not the kids fault though I cant blame you for being annoyed at htem, its really all the father's fault