The Problem with Corporate America

My family and I have decided to help fund raise for the Epilepsy Foundation. Thus, we are participating in the Stroll for Epilepsy 2011. For this event, I spoke to my direct supervisor and explained that I would need August 11th off. She informed me that I would have to request the time off from her superior in writing. Evidence of first issue: There is absolutely no straight communication channel between said supervisor and said superior. I oblige and send an email informing the superior of my need for time off and the reason. Evidence of second issue: I get no response for over a week. I approach this superior and question if she did in fact receive the email that I sent for the time off request. After thinking about it for a minute, she said that she did receive it but unfortunately, they are not granting any time off requests for the month of August, especially for a soccer game. Evidence of third issue: She does not know the difference between a fundraiser and a soccer game. I gently re-inform her of the reason for the time off request. Which she then tells me again that they are not granting time off requests, but if I absolutely can not make it into work, I should call in sick. Evidence of fourth and final issue: The contact person for calling in sick is the superior in which I am currently speaking with.

This is how I know Corporate America is fucked. I am not allowed to take the time off to participate in a charity event, but I can play hooky and call in sick. Somehow lying, making excuses, and calling in sick has become more acceptable than honesty, open communication, and giving back to society.

Family Vacations

I love vacations, regardless of the fact that my life is pretty much a vacation. I love getting away from the city, finding new things to explore and taking the boys on adventures. This year we decided to do a week long vacation, dividing our time staying at my grandmother's cabin and my in-law's cabin. This seemed like a wonderful (inexpensive) idea, and all in all it turned out great, except for one thing. I found out that when you allow your children to hang out with their grandparents for 10 days straight, it has a similar effect as to you giving a heroin addict black tar. Half way through the vacation I was no longer referred to as mom or Tara but only as mean. It was justified after all, you see I was the only person who dared to tell my children "no". "No, you may not drink a case of pop in one afternoon", "No, you are not allowed to pee freely", "No, you may not eat all the cookies before dinner", etc. The list goes on and on but instead of my "No" being firm and solid, it was met with the attitude that I'll just ask Grandma or Grandpa because God only knows that none of them would dare to talk to a child the way I had. Obviously, I didn't have a clue. Of course children should be indulged with their every want and whim. Of course. However, I'm not even upset about these events because I have a plan. I know that one day they will have children of their own and God cannot even help them stop the vicious cycle that I promise to continue. I realize all too clearly that grandparents are allowed to indulge their grandchildren because there are no repercussions to them only to the parents and in 30 years or so to my children!