patron-saint-of-smart-asses:

I recently saw a video of a weather newscaster babywearing her toddler in a wrap as she worked, and it reminded me of a photo I once saw of a midwife nursing her baby after helping her patient deliver her own newborn. Of course, this lead to those stories of professors holding children of their students when they get fussy during a lecture, and then that lead to me recalling awesome workplaces where they have on-site daycare and the parents can visit their child or baby periodically throughout the workday. And like…

I love this. For decades women have been told that they can’t breastfeed AND work at the same time. That they can’t have both a family and contribute financially for that family outside the home. Even fathers have been discouraged and penalized from helping their wives after childbirth or wanting to spend time and take care of their kids.

Things are changing. It’s taking quite a while for it to be more widespread, but things. are. changing. Rights of men and women have improved when organizations and nations recognize the importance of children and family rights, of protecting the rights of pregnant and parenting students and workers. Workplaces that support the family dynamic see good business and even healthier workers.

And all because they don’t separate the worker/student from the family. The family is a cohesive unit that, when cherished and supported, leads to a healthier society.

Children can only be our demise and hindrance if we insist that they are not a part of our lives. Respect children and the family, and you see a greater respect for overall human life.