Ask the Expert

Q: My day care center charges extra when I'm late. My boss knows this but always seems to produce something for me to do every day at five. What can I do?

A: Ask your boss to set up a meeting to discuss this issue. Talk about alternatives to working late, such as coming in early or working through your lunch hour. If that's not an option for you, perhaps he or she will be willing to look at the afternoon agenda with you daily so that together you can prioritize the work that needs to be done.

Unfortunately, many moms face dirty looks from co-workers when they leave early, while others are working as late as 6 or 7 o'clock. You may need to develop a thick skin and learn to ignore them.

Ultimately, if your boss doesn't change his attitude and the situation becomes too stressful, you may have to look elsewhere for a job. More and more companies today are family-friendly. If you do decide to start interviewing and want to be forthcoming about parenthood, tell the interviewer "I'm a mother, I have childcare with backup and I don't expect it to be an issue." End of story.

Mary Quigley, is co-author of Going Back to Work: A Survival Guide for Comeback Moms; professor of journalism at New York University, and mother of three.