I’ve never seen babies in the workplace in action, so, I don’t know how it works, but, I’m not sure I could have done that. I wonder if I’d feel like I was giving neither my baby nor my job my full attention.

But, then again, it looks like it works at lots of places, so, who am I to judge?

Have you had any experience in a company that allows babies at work?

Post from: Blisstree

Babies at work

She talks about her decision to start this successful community for working mothers, go read it today.

I enjoyed the part where she says the site may become, “Work It, Parents!” I like to think that was my idea, since I’m always saying that, and, I’m influential and stuff.

OK, maybe not, just go read the article.

Post from: Blisstree

Nataly Kogan of Work It, Mom! featured in the Boston Globe

Even in the rare use of it that rings true, the phrase just bugs me. When it’s used in it’s typical context, it’s usually used to explain away, or, hint at the “less than desirable” parenting practices of mothers (usually) and fathers (less frequently) who work outside the home.

You know, “working parents let their kids run wild at home because they don’t have time to discipline them”, “working parents don’t have time to volunteer at school”, “working parents don’t have time to put their kids to bed at a proper hour”, “working parents don’t have time to cook nutritious meals”, we’ve read it all.

Sure, there are things I might have to do differently than someone who doesn’t work outside the home, but, everyone is busy, you just do what you have to do, regardless of your employment status. But, despite that, everyone doesn’t always see it that way.

For example, I might not be available a particular day for a field trip because I have to work, but, I could make the next one. Someone else might not be able to go on that same field trip because another child has a doctor’s appointment, yet, I will end up as the “working mother who doesn’t have time to volunteer”, and, the other person will be seen as a volunteer who “just couldn’t make it that day”.

But, then again, just like any stereotype, there are people who embody it, and, their behavior gives credence to the assumptions. You know the ones, they will be the first to pipe up, “Call someone else, I work“, “Nutrition, hah! We have to eat fast food 5 times a day because I work“. Gives the rest of us a bad name.

There are lots of parenting practices that are less than stellar out there, but, there’s too much judgment of them based on where that parent spends the day.

Post from: Blisstree

Working parents “don’t have time”