Work Life Balance? Office Cliques?

I wonder how does everyone juggle FT jobs and families? I started a new job last spring; it's great..only thing is people here are very social. I.e. drinks after work; hanging out on the weekends. I have 2 kids at home so I usually have to rush out to pick them up; can't do things after work; and my weekends are spent with them.

They also take lunch a lot where everyone sits in the kitchen and eats. The people in my direct department come in at 9 and stay until 6:30 (our hours are 9-5. I usually come in by 8/8:30 and leave by 5:30 at the latest so it doesn't always look like I'm running out (even though technically i'm staying late).

I just wonder if this is common for working parents in general. I usually try to sit with them and eat so I'm not totally excluding myself but get up as soon as I finish and don't sit around and chit chat. I try to just tell myself I'm here to do my job; get paid. But I still want to feel like I fit in. It's probably is more of a clique problem here than anything but I definitely feel left out since I'm not able to attend functions. I've gravitated to the 2 other working Mom's here but they are in different departments and can leave on time and take lunch.

How does everyone handle this?

Re: Work Life Balance? Office Cliques?

It must be the office environment that you happen to be in. I work for a small department but everyone pretty much just goes home after work.. but there is someone like me with kids, and 3 older people. They should understand that with a family you can't stay around to have drinks, etc.

Re: Work Life Balance? Office Cliques?

Re: Work Life Balance? Office Cliques?

I have people at my job like that. I ran at 5pm on the dot unless I have some big project.
Sorry, but work is work and my life is outside of work with my family.
I would go out with coworkers though from time to time but not on an everyday or every week basis. I can not afford it financially and I have kids that need to be picked up, made dinner for, etc.

Work Life Balance? Office Cliques?

At my old job we would try to do a get together every other month or so. Even with advanced notice, a lot of people with kids weren't able to make it. It usually ended up being people who didn't have kids or who's kids were older. I wouldn't let it get to you, your family is what is important. You could always join them if you end up with a free evening.