What a working mom realized after some 'elegant overtime'

“Do you have a moment? It’s not urgent, so tomorrow is fine too.”

A message from a subordinate arrived on chat at 5:00 PM. Working hours end at 5:30 PM. Normally, this wouldn't be a problem at all, but he is considerate enough to check.

Usually, I would say, “Sorry, let’s do it tomorrow!” but today, my husband is off work.

I messaged my husband on LINE, “Sorry, I’m going to work some overtime today. Go ahead and eat dinner without me,” and he replied, “Okay.”

Alright, I’ll take the opportunity to work some overtime today.

Picking up the kids from daycare is basically my husband’s responsibility.
Even so, I could probably manage a little overtime, but I have to stay strong and leave the office at 5:00 PM as I usually do (since it’s flex time, it’s allowed by the rules).

The whole family gets home around the same time. My husband handles the daycare bags and bathes the kids, while I prepare dinner with lightning speed.

Cooperation between working parents doesn't work without a strong mutual commitment.

When I’m working, there are times when my mind feels sharp and I get into a flow. The deadline is tomorrow evening, but if I finish this, I can work on that other project tomorrow.

Just a little bit...

That little bit is what completely ruins the pace of the golden time with the kids.

I asked for permission to work overtime and finished the document I wanted to get done yesterday.

The office has fewer people talking to me
There are no fragmented meetings or chats
I focus and work with dual monitors

Such comfortable time passes by.

People in the world seem to call this “elegant overtime.”

Calling it elegant feels a bit mean, but I felt it hit the nail on the head.

There is elegant overtime and there is exhausting overtime. I know there is overtime where you are kept waiting by clients, meetings drag on, or you feel like throwing up because you are chased by time.

But elegant overtime is, after all, elegant.

Compared to nights spent facing the kids while parenting alone, I have much more control, and there is a sense of accomplishment.

And for a working mom (or dad) whose default is to finish work while being chased by time, there is no time more special than this.

After I got home, my husband jokingly gave me a bit of a hard time, saying, “Would you like a bath? Or would you like dinner?” while we ate.

That day, I went to sleep without doing any housework (lol).
Can you believe such a luxury? My husband looked like a god to me.

My mother was the epitome of a career woman, so I was often scolded with,
“Don’t act so high and mighty when you aren’t even working.”But if it were me today, I would probably retort like this.

“Don’t act so high and mighty when you’ve only been working and haven’t done a single thing around the house.”I would say.

I don’t want to argue about which is harder.

I just feel that choosing to have children, and on top of that, being given time to immerse myself in work thanks to someone else, is incredibly special and a luxury, and it is something I should keep firmly in mind.

That is the episode that made me feel this way.

I will record this so I don’t forget, for the sake of my future self who might tend to get a bit arrogant when getting promoted or receiving a raise.