I totally agree! If you can’t put out a house fire yourself, you shouldn’t have a house! Relying on strangers (the fire dept) to sacrifice their lives is so selfish. Or If I have to cover for your dialysis, don’t have kidneys! Or don’t have a job! Figure out your work life balance! It’s not fair that I have to work hours I agreed to separate from your situation when you’re not also working! The parent is not asking for your sacrifice. If they were, you’d be able to say no as you choose. It’s your boss telling you your hours. If you don’t like your hours, negotiate. Or, since it’s all so easy and binary to you, if this bothers you, just move work places to an office where hours are set. Just get a job where coworker coverage is set in stone in your contract. Certainly that’s as easy a life decision as whether or not to have children.