THIS! When I first started my job, my coworkers on my first day asked if I had kids and that’s all they still seem to talk about. I have other interests and things I contribute to the world outside of work. I too would like a solid work/life balance.

I don’t want my own fucking kid! I shouldn’t be stuck at work for the rest of my life as a result! It doesn’t mean I don’t care about other people in my life and their kids. I would like some times to spend with them sometimes. Is that ok with you? As a parent, wouldn’t you like it if some of your close friends and…

You think I should only want to work and not do anything else in my entire life besides have a child? That’s the only thing you think I should be able to do with my life and the only way I can contribute to the future of the world? Really? I hope if you do have children that you can readjust that attitude and perhaps…

What? No. Don’t know where you’re getting that I said “No” to parental leave. What is wrong with people today?

I find it fascinating that you haven’t fucked off yet. Yet here we are.

I find it sad that so many people equate caring for their new child with taking care of someone with a terrible illness. Having a child is supposed to be a happy thing.

Wait, so now it’s wrong for me to point out that parental leave is a right and is different from just taking a vacation? I guess that’s what happens when you are determined to get bent out of shape no matter what the other person says.

Wait—parental leave is not a “benefit” like a vacation. It should be a right. According to these commenters, it’s a difficult, sleepless time, and absolutely NOT a vacation, so it shouldn’t be spoken about as if it is.

Well as a childless adult, I feel like there’s also this idea that you MUST be 100% dedicated to your work and nothing else because what the hell else do you possibly have to offer to the world besides your job if you’re not having a kid? Nothing, that’s what.

Nowhere did I “hate” on paid parental leave. This is at least the fourth time that I’m saying I’m obviously FOR PARENTAL LEAVE AND THINK IT’S TERRIBLE HOW IT’S CURRENTLY HANDLED. Also, more days off for everyone, for various life events, not necessarily medical.

That’s because when you call the dad, you end up with stuff like this.

I took it as a sick day. Still got a lot of “Oh, taking a long weekend?” questions since the surgery was on a Friday, so that was extra fun. I mean, so what the fuck if I was (I have accrued time and I assume that’s for me to use) but also? My family’s health crises are not anyone’s business but thanks for making me…

Do people try to get cancer or heart attacks?

I didn’t say maternity leave was “restful time off.” People are weirdly adding all kinds of things to my few simple sentences.

That’s why I get upset when people are so shocked by America’s breastfeeding rates. As a society we make it as difficult as possible for a woman to make breastfeeding work for her family once she’s back at work.

See, this is an example of what I mean. I don’t have anything against people taking time off to have children, but that doesn’t mean I want to sacrifice myself, either.

We all benefit from each other’s work. It’s obviously not only those without children who benefit from those who have them.

I think this country offers too little vacation in general, and people are afraid to take what little days they have. We need an adjustment in our attitudes about work in general.

Exactly—technology makes remote work so easy. AND YET I work an office job. I requested one day work from home after baby was born (with a nanny to help me) and was denied it because they need “face time.” Meanwhile, the CFO and head of HR routinely “work from home” every Friday.

When my brother and his wife had their first kid, she went back to work “early” (9 months or so) and my brother took the last 3 months so he could spend more time with the bebbeh. His work gave him SO MUCH FLAK for this. He works in a very macho tool shop where he is overworked so he said “too fucking bad the law says…