Babies in the Work Place

bloominheck

Love children, but not at the workplace. Of course, I work at a hospital so unless they are patients, dont bring them.:indifferent:

dirty_dirty_eater

I quit my job to stay home with my first son for two years. I did some freelance work though and I used to take him with me to client meetings.
Yes, bearded, gruffy looking guy with a baby carrier having meetings at various major corporations. It was completely accepted and in one case, I'm pretty sure he got me the gig.
The only disruption was from the crowd of womens the cute little bugger attracted.

If you made arrangements ahead of time and they agreed, go nuts. Personally, if you walked in cold to a meeting with me and had your baby in tow, I would be like WTFITS?! (I don't care if you ARE on my FL! )

Oh yea...I wouldn't surprise anyone like that.

ryry_

I am not a kid lover by any means, but pretty much every lady in my office is clamoring to see those things in the office as soon as the mom pushes em out.

Doesn't bother me. Don't worry none of the guys wash their hands so the germs are there anyways!!!!

stumblinthrulife

As to why I'd want her to meet so many strangers - they weren't strangers. They were my work colleagues, whom I get along very well with. And it's good for her to meet a variety of people, of a variety of ages, and to see her parents interacting in a variety of environments. It aids social development.

This is a reasonable point. I was thinking about this very point earlier, and respectfully, I am not at work to further your child's social development. Take them to church, or the museum, or to the park.

Had you been in my company at the time, you could have simply chosen to not leave your office (or at least to not come to mine). I specifically did not take her door to door. I had her in my office and let people come to us if they wanted to. As it happened everyone on the floor stopped by when word spread.

Just like life, it's all about balancing people's wants and needs really, isn't it? You don't have to talk to my child, but I don't have to keep her at home if others in the office want me to bring her in. Assuming of course that -
A. company policy does not prohibit,
and
B. she is not disruptive.

Fullsterkur_woman

It makes it even odder that we were all once children. Children are a fact of life, just like old people etc, you have to learn to live with them because you share a planet with them.

Yes, and I already have to see them at the store and at the restaurant and at the movies and at the library and at the museum and at the zoo and do I also have to see them at my place of employment?! It wouldn't make sense for you to bring your dotty old grandmother in to work with you either and expect everyone to ooh and aww over what an adorable bun she has and what a cute shawl she's wearing and have her sit there regaling you 25 times over the course of several hours about the time Uncle Jedadiah got the plowhorse stuck in a ditch. I don't bring my husband into work and have him sit there and hang out with me, unless it's after hours and nobody else is there to be bothered by him complaining about being bored, and even then it probably happens once a year or less.

SteveJWatson

Ever tried being fat or atheist?

Used to be fat. Still an atheist.

BinaryPulsar

I've been bringing my lil one (now 7) to my work since she was a baby...off and on. But, I own the place. when she was a baby, I had a small room built just for her a crib and as she grew older...a play room. It has dark tinted windows so she could see me....It's worked for me and she really loves coming to work with me now when she is out of school.

This.

I am a farmer and when she isn't at school, my daughter is technically at work with me. I bring my dogs, too - but then, the office that my wife works in lets you bring your dog.


Are children the last section of society that it is acceptable to say that you hate? You couldn't say "I hate ALL old people, they are stinking germ factories" or "I hate all people of x or y descent/hair coulor/religion" etc...

I hate stupid and/or selfish people... does that count?

and selfish =/= childless either. Or stupid for that matter... this note is tagged on because it's a common judgement that childless people are selfish...

I actually edited this because I apparently can't spell.

I'm not judging anyone for having or not having kids.

I'm asking why is it acceptable to refer to kids, as a whole as 'stinking germ factories etc'. I couldn't refer to all old people like that.

I dont like all kids, just like I don't like all people of whatever arbitary category you put people in based on other characteristics (age, race, gender etc). It makes it even odder that we were all once children. Children are a fact of life, just like old people etc, you have to learn to live with them because you share a planet with them.

I, personally, hated being a child so I'm not sure what the fact I was once a child has to do with anything. I was small, weak, not permitted to make my own choices, and occasionally shown off like I was a trophey for my mom to take about. It isn't something I look back on fondly or with longing.

And I hate tons of people for all manner of reasons. Kids are actually one of the more reasonable things I dislike.

I have no nostalgia for being a child either and would never want to go back to that again. But, that doesn't have anything to do with other humans that are children right now or how I feel about those humans. And I still have the awareness that I had to be a child before I grew into an adult. It's just a fact of life.

Fullsterkur_woman

Did you realized that you were once a baby too?

What does this have to do with the price of tea in China? Why do I not have a heart just because I don't like children? I happen to be very mushy toward my own family; they just don't involve babies.
It's not like I'm actively sitting here wishing them ill. I'm not going to snatch them up and throw them in to the industrial shredder. One of our acquaintances recently had a baby and we were supposed to go to dinner with her and her newborn. My husband got ill the day of. Did I cheer him on to go cough on the new baby's face? No, I made him cancel dinner out of concern for the risk we would pose to the child's welfare.

It's not like I'm advocating peeling off their skin and boiling down their fat to make soap, for pete's sake, and it's not a personal reflection on your ego if I am not madly in love with your offspring as you are. I don't want co-workers to come into my office spouting inane chatter at me either; if you have something meaningful, you are welcome, but I don't come to your office and waste your time and I expect the same courtesy from you. Why does that make me heartless? I thought it just made me professional.

Fullsterkur_woman

I, personally, hated being a child so I'm not sure what the fact I was once a child has to do with anything. I was small, weak, not permitted to make my own choices, and occasionally shown off like I was a trophey for my mom to take about. It isn't something I look back on fondly or with longing.

And I hate tons of people for all manner of reasons. Kids are actually one of the more reasonable things I dislike.

Sounds like we actually have much in common then, my dear.

BinaryPulsar

Ever tried being fat or atheist?

Used to be fat. Still an atheist.

I'm an atheist also. Never been fat, though.

ryry_

It's not like I'm advocating peeling off their skin and boiling down their fat to make soap

Maybe not soap...But Baby Back Ribs are delicious

Achrya

I've been bringing my lil one (now 7) to my work since she was a baby...off and on. But, I own the place. when she was a baby, I had a small room built just for her a crib and as she grew older...a play room. It has dark tinted windows so she could see me....It's worked for me and she really loves coming to work with me now when she is out of school.

This.

I am a farmer and when she isn't at school, my daughter is technically at work with me. I bring my dogs, too - but then, the office that my wife works in lets you bring your dog.


Are children the last section of society that it is acceptable to say that you hate? You couldn't say "I hate ALL old people, they are stinking germ factories" or "I hate all people of x or y descent/hair coulor/religion" etc...

I hate stupid and/or selfish people... does that count?

and selfish =/= childless either. Or stupid for that matter... this note is tagged on because it's a common judgement that childless people are selfish...

I actually edited this because I apparently can't spell.

I'm not judging anyone for having or not having kids.

I'm asking why is it acceptable to refer to kids, as a whole as 'stinking germ factories etc'. I couldn't refer to all old people like that.

I dont like all kids, just like I don't like all people of whatever arbitary category you put people in based on other characteristics (age, race, gender etc). It makes it even odder that we were all once children. Children are a fact of life, just like old people etc, you have to learn to live with them because you share a planet with them.

I, personally, hated being a child so I'm not sure what the fact I was once a child has to do with anything. I was small, weak, not permitted to make my own choices, and occasionally shown off like I was a trophey for my mom to take about. It isn't something I look back on fondly or with longing.

And I hate tons of people for all manner of reasons. Kids are actually one of the more reasonable things I dislike.

I have no nostalgia for being a child either and would never want to go back to that again. But, that doesn't have anything to do with other humans that are children right now or how I feel about those humans. And I still have the awareness that I had to be a child before I grew into an adult. It's just a fact of life.

K. I assume all adults are aware they were once children. I'm still unsure of what "you were a kid once" has to do with disliking children. How does one relate to the other?

Do they relate? Or is that one of those things people say, thinking there's some kind of meaning or point?

BinaryPulsar

I've been bringing my lil one (now 7) to my work since she was a baby...off and on. But, I own the place. when she was a baby, I had a small room built just for her a crib and as she grew older...a play room. It has dark tinted windows so she could see me....It's worked for me and she really loves coming to work with me now when she is out of school.

This.

I am a farmer and when she isn't at school, my daughter is technically at work with me. I bring my dogs, too - but then, the office that my wife works in lets you bring your dog.


Are children the last section of society that it is acceptable to say that you hate? You couldn't say "I hate ALL old people, they are stinking germ factories" or "I hate all people of x or y descent/hair coulor/religion" etc...

I hate stupid and/or selfish people... does that count?

and selfish =/= childless either. Or stupid for that matter... this note is tagged on because it's a common judgement that childless people are selfish...

I actually edited this because I apparently can't spell.

I'm not judging anyone for having or not having kids.

I'm asking why is it acceptable to refer to kids, as a whole as 'stinking germ factories etc'. I couldn't refer to all old people like that.

I dont like all kids, just like I don't like all people of whatever arbitary category you put people in based on other characteristics (age, race, gender etc). It makes it even odder that we were all once children. Children are a fact of life, just like old people etc, you have to learn to live with them because you share a planet with them.

I, personally, hated being a child so I'm not sure what the fact I was once a child has to do with anything. I was small, weak, not permitted to make my own choices, and occasionally shown off like I was a trophey for my mom to take about. It isn't something I look back on fondly or with longing.

And I hate tons of people for all manner of reasons. Kids are actually one of the more reasonable things I dislike.

I have no nostalgia for being a child either and would never want to go back to that again. But, that doesn't have anything to do with other humans that are children right now or how I feel about those humans. And I still have the awareness that I had to be a child before I grew into an adult. It's just a fact of life.

K. I assume all adults are aware they were once children. I'm still unsure of what "you were a kid once" has to do with disliking children. How does one relate to the other?

Do they relate? Or is that one of those things people say, thinking there's some kind of meaning or point?

It just means that there are going to be humans at that developmental stage on this planet. And maybe those kids would have a better childhood if they weren't hated (and then grow up to be happier adults maybe). So, for that it's good that some people don't hate kids.

BusyRaeNOTBusty

K. I assume all adults are aware they were once children. I'm still unsure of what "you were a kid once" has to do with disliking children. How does one relate to the other?

Do they relate? Or is that one of those things people say, thinking there's some kind of meaning or point?

You don't have to like kids because you were a kid once, but you should be understanding that kids are not miniature grown ups and sometimes they misbehave in public.

jr1985

I think bringing your kids in to intruduce them then leave thats fine... bring them with you to work for the whole day, not really acceptable... We get a lot of clients bring their kids into the office with them though, Which I would prefer they didn't.... but there are a lot of single parents out there who can't afford child care so what are they going to do...

What DOES annoy me is that these people NEVER bring anything to keep their 4 year old entertained so they are constantly running around coloring on and breaking things in my not child proof office... Seriously... adults won't sit still somewhere for more than 30 seconds without pulling out their phones to play with to keep themselves entertained... If you as an adult need to be constantly be entertained, why oh why would you think that your 4 year old can sit somewhere quitely without giving them anything to play with?

Otterluv

Ever tried being fat or atheist?

Used to be fat. Still an atheist.

I'm an atheist also. Never been fat, though.

I'm both! Is there a prize?!?!

BinaryPulsar

Ever tried being fat or atheist?

Used to be fat. Still an atheist.

I'm an atheist also. Never been fat, though.

I'm both! Is there a prize?!?!

:laugh: :flowerforyou:

Fullsterkur_woman

As to why I'd want her to meet so many strangers - they weren't strangers. They were my work colleagues, whom I get along very well with. And it's good for her to meet a variety of people, of a variety of ages, and to see her parents interacting in a variety of environments. It aids social development.

This is a reasonable point. I was thinking about this very point earlier, and respectfully, I am not at work to further your child's social development. Take them to church, or the museum, or to the park.

Had you been in my company at the time, you could have simply chosen to not leave your office (or at least to not come to mine). I specifically did not take her door to door. I had her in my office and let people come to us if they wanted to. As it happened everyone on the floor stopped by when word spread.

Just like life, it's all about balancing people's wants and needs really, isn't it? You don't have to talk to my child, but I don't have to keep her at home if others in the office want me to bring her in. Assuming of course that -
A. company policy does not prohibit,
and
B. she is not disruptive.

Begone with your reasonable approach! You are not welcome here! See, 'cause other people on this thread have informed us that keeping to ourselves was an over-the-top reaction.

I have close team-mates that have twins and triplets even. They don't put them in my face, and I am totally cool with them. I am also just fine when they need to work a flexible schedule or work from home or whatever because of their kiddos. Sometimes I have a need to do those things too. We all get our work done and that's the point.

I just don't get why it's not enough to some people to acknowledge that their child is important to them, and honor the time they put into caring for them, just because I might go vent somewhere that I really don't like kids. I wouldn't care if people sat there till the cows come home spouting off about how much they hate cats, if they acknowledge that my cats are important to me and honor the time I put into caring for them.

Again, it's almost like strongly expressing my preference not to be around kids is seen as a personal attack on some of these people. I don't get it.

BinaryPulsar

Just remember that this is a thread full of responses, so just because someone says something does not mean they are talking to you (or about you) personally. They may be talking about something else entirely. Also, there could be misunderstandings, just as on any other topic (from all sides of the issue).

Achrya

I've been bringing my lil one (now 7) to my work since she was a baby...off and on. But, I own the place. when she was a baby, I had a small room built just for her a crib and as she grew older...a play room. It has dark tinted windows so she could see me....It's worked for me and she really loves coming to work with me now when she is out of school.

This.

I am a farmer and when she isn't at school, my daughter is technically at work with me. I bring my dogs, too - but then, the office that my wife works in lets you bring your dog.


Are children the last section of society that it is acceptable to say that you hate? You couldn't say "I hate ALL old people, they are stinking germ factories" or "I hate all people of x or y descent/hair coulor/religion" etc...

I hate stupid and/or selfish people... does that count?

and selfish =/= childless either. Or stupid for that matter... this note is tagged on because it's a common judgement that childless people are selfish...

I actually edited this because I apparently can't spell.

I'm not judging anyone for having or not having kids.

I'm asking why is it acceptable to refer to kids, as a whole as 'stinking germ factories etc'. I couldn't refer to all old people like that.

I dont like all kids, just like I don't like all people of whatever arbitary category you put people in based on other characteristics (age, race, gender etc). It makes it even odder that we were all once children. Children are a fact of life, just like old people etc, you have to learn to live with them because you share a planet with them.

I, personally, hated being a child so I'm not sure what the fact I was once a child has to do with anything. I was small, weak, not permitted to make my own choices, and occasionally shown off like I was a trophey for my mom to take about. It isn't something I look back on fondly or with longing.

And I hate tons of people for all manner of reasons. Kids are actually one of the more reasonable things I dislike.

I have no nostalgia for being a child either and would never want to go back to that again. But, that doesn't have anything to do with other humans that are children right now or how I feel about those humans. And I still have the awareness that I had to be a child before I grew into an adult. It's just a fact of life.

K. I assume all adults are aware they were once children. I'm still unsure of what "you were a kid once" has to do with disliking children. How does one relate to the other?

Do they relate? Or is that one of those things people say, thinking there's some kind of meaning or point?

It just means that there are going to be humans at that developmental stage on this planet. And maybe those kids would have a better childhood if they weren't hated (and then grow up to be happier adults maybe). So, for that it's good that some people don't hate kids.

Well of course its good all people don't hate kids. It'd be rough to continue on as a species if everyone hated kids, wouldn't it?

I doubt any child is suffering or headed towards a less happy adulthood due to my dislike of them.

ldrosophila

Babies make great workers those small hands can get into the tightest of spaces

JONZ64

I have no problem with kids visiting as long as they are well behaved.


Maybe they were showing the kid "This is the desktop where mommy made you at the office Christmas party"

BinaryPulsar

I've been bringing my lil one (now 7) to my work since she was a baby...off and on. But, I own the place. when she was a baby, I had a small room built just for her a crib and as she grew older...a play room. It has dark tinted windows so she could see me....It's worked for me and she really loves coming to work with me now when she is out of school.

This.

I am a farmer and when she isn't at school, my daughter is technically at work with me. I bring my dogs, too - but then, the office that my wife works in lets you bring your dog.


Are children the last section of society that it is acceptable to say that you hate? You couldn't say "I hate ALL old people, they are stinking germ factories" or "I hate all people of x or y descent/hair coulor/religion" etc...

I hate stupid and/or selfish people... does that count?

and selfish =/= childless either. Or stupid for that matter... this note is tagged on because it's a common judgement that childless people are selfish...

I actually edited this because I apparently can't spell.

I'm not judging anyone for having or not having kids.

I'm asking why is it acceptable to refer to kids, as a whole as 'stinking germ factories etc'. I couldn't refer to all old people like that.

I dont like all kids, just like I don't like all people of whatever arbitary category you put people in based on other characteristics (age, race, gender etc). It makes it even odder that we were all once children. Children are a fact of life, just like old people etc, you have to learn to live with them because you share a planet with them.

I, personally, hated being a child so I'm not sure what the fact I was once a child has to do with anything. I was small, weak, not permitted to make my own choices, and occasionally shown off like I was a trophey for my mom to take about. It isn't something I look back on fondly or with longing.

And I hate tons of people for all manner of reasons. Kids are actually one of the more reasonable things I dislike.

I have no nostalgia for being a child either and would never want to go back to that again. But, that doesn't have anything to do with other humans that are children right now or how I feel about those humans. And I still have the awareness that I had to be a child before I grew into an adult. It's just a fact of life.

K. I assume all adults are aware they were once children. I'm still unsure of what "you were a kid once" has to do with disliking children. How does one relate to the other?

Do they relate? Or is that one of those things people say, thinking there's some kind of meaning or point?

It just means that there are going to be humans at that developmental stage on this planet. And maybe those kids would have a better childhood if they weren't hated (and then grow up to be happier adults maybe). So, for that it's good that some people don't hate kids.

Well of course its good all people don't hate kids. It'd be rough to continue on as a species if everyone hated kids, wouldn't it?

I doubt any child is suffering or headed towards a less happy adulthood due to my dislike of them.

No, I don't think that either. And you understand about the species continuing (some people don't). So, no problem then.

Fullsterkur_woman

It just means that there are going to be humans at that developmental stage on this planet. And maybe those kids would have a better childhood if they weren't hated (and then grow up to be happier adults maybe). So, for that it's good that some people don't hate kids.

I am well aware of developmental stages. I am also aware of what constitutes age-appropriate interaction.

It's horrible to take a kid somewhere that people are expected to be quiet and on good behavior at all times, at least beyond the time span that it is reasonable for someone in that developmental stage to be able to behave. I don't know how old you are, so it may not apply to you, but almost assuredly I can say that when your parents were children they were not taken to every place your grandparents went.

Now you kids get outta my shrubbery!

Achrya

K. I assume all adults are aware they were once children. I'm still unsure of what "you were a kid once" has to do with disliking children. How does one relate to the other?

Do they relate? Or is that one of those things people say, thinking there's some kind of meaning or point?

You don't have to like kids because you were a kid once, but you should be understanding that kids are not miniature grown ups and sometimes they misbehave in public.

I'm aware kids aren't mini adults and I have little issue with kids misbehaving; I watch toddlers for a living so I'm knee deep in misbehaving as a way of life.

I imagine most people are aware of that, actually. We were all children once after all.

Fullsterkur_woman

Ever tried being fat or atheist?

Used to be fat. Still an atheist.

I'm an atheist also. Never been fat, though.

I'm both! Is there a prize?!?!

Yep, you win the knowledge that you are not alone in being marginalized for it.

Fullsterkur_woman

It's not like I'm advocating peeling off their skin and boiling down their fat to make soap

Maybe not soap...But Baby Back Ribs are delicious

BinaryPulsar

It just means that there are going to be humans at that developmental stage on this planet. And maybe those kids would have a better childhood if they weren't hated (and then grow up to be happier adults maybe). So, for that it's good that some people don't hate kids.

I am well aware of developmental stages. I am also aware of what constitutes age-appropriate interaction.

It's horrible to take a kid somewhere that people are expected to be quiet and on good behavior at all times, at least beyond the time span that it is reasonable for someone in that developmental stage to be able to behave. I don't know how old you are, so it may not apply to you, but almost assuredly I can say that when your parents were children they were not taken to every place your grandparents went.

Now you kids get outta my shrubbery!

I agree that people should not take kids places where they are not welcome or where it is not appropriate or where it is supposed to be quiet, or where they are not allowed, etc.

ldrosophila

Just remember that this is a thread full of responses, so just because someone says something does not mean they are talking to you (or about you) personally. They may be talking about something else entirely. Also, there could be misunderstandings, just as on any other topic (from all sides of the issue).

What? You mean people have different perspectives? Youre crazy

Fullsterkur_woman

K. I assume all adults are aware they were once children. I'm still unsure of what "you were a kid once" has to do with disliking children. How does one relate to the other?

Do they relate? Or is that one of those things people say, thinking there's some kind of meaning or point?

You don't have to like kids because you were a kid once, but you should be understanding that kids are not miniature grown ups and sometimes they misbehave in public.

I totally DO get that, which is why I don't think you should torture them and everybody else by bringing them to a situation where that is not acceptable. Like your place of employment.