Chapter 8: A Change in Plans

A few days had passed since Ashley's successful experiment with taking Theo to work, and she had been feeling confident that she had found a solution that would allow her to balance her job and her parenting responsibilities. Theo had adjusted well to the new routine, and Ashley's coworkers had been understanding and supportive. But on this particular morning, as Ashley was getting ready for another day at the office, Theo was being stubborn. As she tried to dress him in his favorite outfit, he began to fuss and squirm, refusing to cooperate. Ashley tried to distract him with toys and games, but nothing seemed to be working. She was running late, and the stress of getting to work on time was starting to get to her. Finally, as she was buckling him into his car seat, Theo let out a loud wail. "I don't wanna go!" he cried, his little face red with tears. Ashley tried to calm him down, but he was inconsolable. She felt a pang of guilt and worry as she drove to work, wondering if she had made a mistake by bringing him to the office. As she arrived at the office, Theo's crying showed no signs of letting up. Ashley's coworkers looked on sympathetically as she tried to soothe him, but nothing seemed to be working. Mrs. Patel, her boss, came over to offer some words of encouragement. "Don't worry, Ashley, it's just a phase. I'm sure he'll settle down soon." But as the day went on, Theo's crying only got worse. He refused to play with his toys, and he wouldn't eat his snack. Ashley was at her wit's end, feeling like she was failing as a mother and an employee. She tried to find a quiet spot to calm him down, but every room she took him to seemed to make him cry even more. Ashley's coworkers were understanding, but she could tell they were starting to get frustrated. They had been supportive of her decision to bring Theo to work, but now they were starting to wonder if it had been a mistake. Ashley felt like she was being pulled in two different directions, and she didn't know what to do. As the day drew to a close, Ashley knew she had to make a decision. She couldn't keep bringing Theo to work if he was going to cry all day. But she also couldn't afford to quit her job or find someone else to take care of him. She felt like she was stuck, and she didn't know what the future held. As she packed up her things and prepared to leave, Theo finally started to calm down. He looked up at her with big, tear-stained eyes, and Ashley felt her heart melt. She knew she would do anything to make him happy, and she was determined to find a solution that would work for both of them. But for now, she just didn't know what that was.