'[I’m not] her backup plan': Childfree coworker refuses to continue bending over backwards for a single mom when she starts taking advantage of their availability, setting healthy office boundaries

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Jesse Kessenheimer • Writer and Editor
Mar 28, 2026 9:00 AM EDT

She had a more lenient schedule because she had no children, but the single mom in the office saw that as an invitation to take advantage. 

Being a parent and working full-time is like having two incompatible careers that are constantly bickering and vying for your attention. And yet, while many parents in the workforce juggle their responsibilities with grace and dignity, there are some, particularly in this next story, who can't handle the pressure. Although it's completely understandable to be overwhelmed, the single mom in this next story took things too far, guilt-tripping her coworker into picking up the slack because she "knew she had no other responsibilities."

Just because your coworker doesn't have kids doesn't mean they have nothing better to do but wait around for your beck and call… 

Many young adults in the workforce are opting to stay childfree longer than they did in the past. Usually, because of financial pressures, social experiences, or personal preferences, that's a person's prerogative to keep their lives free of soccer practice schedules, PTA meetings, and local bake sales. Some people just want to go home after work, kick off their shoes, and have a mellow evening to themselves, and that's totally their prerogative!

While there are many wonders to being a parent, like watching a mini-me goblin grow up in real time and having the rewarding experiences of raising a family, some parents secretly envy those around them who have the free time after work to say "no" to the family life bustle. 

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  • Two women discussing something at work.
    via Yan Krukao

    (Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.)

  • So when this single mom realized that she could have a fallback coworker cover for her in the office anytime the chaos of family life intervened with her career, she thought she'd struck gold. However, when she stopped asking her coworker for help and started demanding that she step in to bail her out, their office relationship became strained. 

    Finally, the drama broke loose, and all of the beans were spilled on the office floor, when the single mom proved that she thought that her life outside of the office was more important than her coworker's…

  • AITJ for telling my coworker i will not adjust my schedule for her anymore?

    I (27F) work in a small office with mostly women. About a year ago, my coworker Jenna (34F) asked if I could occasionally swap shifts
    via Big_Seesaw_431
  • with her because of her kids' school schedule. Since I don't have kids and my schedule was flexible, I agreed it didn't seem like a big deal at first.
    via Big_Seesaw_431
  • But over time, it became routine. Jenna started expecting me to cover mornings or stay late, often asking last minute.
    via Big_Seesaw_431
  • If I hesitated, she'd guilt me by saying she had no one else and that being a mom was hard. I ended up planning my life around her needs, even though I didn't like it.
    via Big_Seesaw_431
  • Last month, I requested a few days off for personal plans. Jenna immediately asked me to move them because she needed coverage those exact days. I refused,
    via Big_Seesaw_431
  • Two women discussing their personal lives at work.
    via Yan Krukao

    (Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.)

  • and she made a snide comment: "Must be nice to not have real responsibilities." That really bothered me.
    via Big_Seesaw_431
  • The next day, I told her I wouldn't adjust my schedule for her anymore. I said I'd help occasionally if asked in advance, but I wasn't her
    via Big_Seesaw_431
  • backup plan. She got upset, accused me of punishing her for being a single mom, and now she barely speaks to me. A few coworkers are cold toward me too.
    via Big_Seesaw_431
  • I feel guilty because I know she has more challenges, but I also think I let this go on too long and it turned into entitlement. AITJ for finally setting boundaries, even if it makes her life harder?
    via Big_Seesaw_431
  • RealNeedy... she turned your kindness into a permanent job perk and got mad when it expired
    via RealNeedy
  • Ok_Day_8... NTJ. But I think you misspoke. What you meant to say was "I have helped you continuously for a year and the one time
    via Ok_Day_8
  • I am not available for you, this is how you treat me? Please do not ask me for help again. I will NOT be available"
    via Ok_Day_8
  • ashfeisty NTJ. You were kind to help at first, but she started taking advantage of you.
    via ashfeisty
  • Setting boundaries is completely fair, her responsibilities aren't yours to manage.
    via ashfeisty
  • broadshar... NTJ Her stupid comment was her downfall. The old adage "don't bite the hand that feeds you", comes to mind.
    via broadshar
  • SadEntert... Yawn! These stories are so formulaic. Similar scenarios pedalled out regularly. What do these people expect to gain from this?
    via SadEntert
  • Busy_Emo... You basically became her free childcare solution and she had the audacity to call your life fake responsibilities **
    via Busy_Emo

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coworkers Office colleague workplace single mom
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