BellaOnline Forums Relationships Married No Kids Bringing kids to work....must VENT

The childfree aren't the only ones paying for the tax breaks that families get, but we are definitely paying something for it.

Has anyone read The Baby Boon: How Family-Friendly America Cheats the Childless by Elinor Burkett? I have been looking for it in my local libraries so I haven't read it yet, but I believe she addresses some of the issues people have brought up in this thread.

Work is work and home is home.

Kids at work on Halloween - only to trick or treat, and then leave - okay, that is a special occasion and I enjoy that!

Now - on Bring Your (son or daughter) to Work Day - I feel that is different.....provided that the children are of the age they can actually do some work - filing, getting the mail, even janitorial stuff....that gives them something to take back to school and share. I feel it can be a learning experience, but also an age limit should be set.

You all bring up such great points! I think I will have a brief conversation with my boss about it - although since she was of the mindset yesterday that the child was just so cute, I doubt I'm going to get anywhere.

But I hit my worst moment yesterday when the mom was filing and to get her daughter to stop asking so many questions, she asked the girl to sing to her (sing along with Hannah Montana)...I nearly blew up.

Okay - and here's the thing - the mom says, after many hours, "tell me if she's annoying". Everyone else said oh no...she's so cute. Granted - she was a polite child but she's FOUR! I kind of said - well, it is a bit distracting - and the mom took that as opportunity to tell us all the funny little things that her daughter had said about us in the other room. ????? I don't get it - unless I flat out say yeah, your kid is very annoying, then what does anything accomplish? So if I had said she was annoying...do I have to expect being labeled the bad one because everyone else was okay with it? Sigh...maybe I shouldn't care and should have just said yeah, can you please lock her in the closet? lol...

love childfree, i read the baby boon. it took forever to find it though. and now it's been in my storage unit for the past 2 years (most of my stuff has been in that storage unit since ex and i split up, lol).

I used to work at an idustrial type place. So take your kids to work day was never an issue because it was too unsafe.

Secondly, I used to think that there was an age limit on that day- I thought they had to be 12 years old or over.

Third, I agree with the others that you should have a talk with your boss. I think they could address some of your issues.

Fourth-Career day is held in school so that children could see how many different jobs there are, and what people have to do to get there- like go to school, etc. I think people now have interpreted the day they way they all want and at this point it has become a whatever day.

Mary Caliendo

Geez,..your last entry made my head spin....does your boss: A: have children? B: if so, does he or she share the same mindset as you or your coworker? These two questions could shed some light on if your boss even cares about the situation, can relate to what you're experiencing and possibly since from what it sounds may not be in the office enough to recognize that this coworker is using your place of employment for her needs in this way. In terms of your coworker, if she ever pulls this little stunt again, I would definitely say something to her directly. For example: "Margaret" (names changed to protect identity LOL)although I find your daughter cute as pie, is there any possible way that you could find alternate arrangements for her care? I worry about her safety (pull from the OSHA theme above) as this is an adult environment where there is the potential for her to hurt herself on sharp objects, or, paper cuts are just plain awful as well ALL know, or, since this is an accounting firm, it is crucial that the paperwork doesn't magically disappear or get crayoned on? You could also pull excuses from a medical standpoint: "Margaret" has she had all her shots? (just kidding) I hear stomach flu is rampant these days? Not feeling so well myself and don't want to expose your little one there to it. Or just casually ask her if this is going to be a regular thing with her daughter coming to work or was it a one time thing. Oh, is your regular babysitter unable to sit for her today? Ohh,..that's too bad, it probably would have been more fun for her to stay home.

CFCoastieWife: Would you be allowed to keep headphones at work and listen to something of your choosing when the kid is there? Maybe something soothing that blends into the background?

Just a thought.

CFCoastieWife -
I am appalled buy your story. I have never heard of people doing this and i can't imagine why on earth it is acceptable. There is no way this person can do her job and watch a small child at the same time. Also, that is humorous that the mother said, "Tell me if she's annoying!" Like she was expecting anyone to say, "Well, she's driving me nuts, please leave her at home next time!"

I say talk to your boss right away. Is there ANYONE else in the office who might agree with you? If so, maybe they would join you for this converation with the boss.

Let us know how it goes=)

Maybe it's time to be direct with the mother: "Your daughter is so adorable! But frankly, this is a workplace and her being here is very distracting and keeping me from focusing on my work. The Hannah Montana stuff especially! Is there any way you can keep her at home? I'm sure she would be happier there. She seems very bored here. How sad for her."

And if the mother insists the child is not bored: "She could be learning so much instead of sitting around here in an office in front of the tv. How sad." Repeat "how sad."

This might play into her feelings about being a competent mother. No mother wants anyone to insinuate that she isn't thinking about her child's best interest!

Just a thought. This would play upon my mother's conscience!

I agree with all that has been said. Business is business. Work is work. You know what drives me nuts? The bringing the kids to work over the phone. We have one woman at work who's daughter just turned **20**, is going to college away from home, and she talks to her MULTIPLE times a day. YES EVERY DAY. The kid is 20 for crying out loud, my mom would've had my hide at 10 unless my little sis was dying or something. And we have another one that has a 16 or 17 year old son she talks to constantly. She can't answer business calls because she "is so busy" but yet she can talk to her son half the day. ARG!