Why shouldn’t life be made easier for pregnant women/mothers?

We all need special treatment at different times of our lives and some need priority for different reasons.

People get hung up on what they perceive others to have better than them

Because wheelchair spaces were fought for and disability takes precedence.

Why do people without children never understand that it’s often dangerous and/or impossible to park in a ‘normal’ car space because they’re too narrow for you to get a child in or out of their car seat?! I cannot tell you the number of times I’ve had to leave the children with a complete stranger just so I can reverse the car out enough to actually get them in! Planning in new car parks needs a serious rethink- either make all spaces American-sized or triple the number of P&C spaces (they don’t have to be at the door btw, just big and next to a pavement)!

What literally just doesn’t happen, sorry?

Like with small children and pregnancy, not all parents are equal and some need to be cared for.

at work I have been called to pick a sick child up from nursery. I’ve also been called to help pick up a fallen parent. I can tell you what was more stressful - not so much the child in a safe place with caregivers…..

however it’s good that progress has been made and things are better for the parents coming along. It is difficult to see it being much easier for the next group of parents coming through, I’d have loved more time with DH at home helping out, I’d have loved my career not to have “stalled”, I’d have loved not to have had to top up my NI due to Mat Leave. Hopefully the next gen won’t have these issues 🙂

Not comparable at all your parents are not your dependents.

Well, that just depends on your parents' health and age, doesn't it? Lucky you to not be in a position to find out that they very much can be...

@Moglet4 I believe it's governed by the equality act, however morally of course the wheelchair user should take priority on a bus because they have no other option, usually the mother does, eg different ways of holding the child

Unfortunately I work for an employer that bends over backwards to support mums and requires the women without kids to pick up all the slack. The employer gets to boast about their family-friendly credentials and meanwhile the women without kids just feel really resentful.

We’re talking always getting Christmas/summer hols off, never doing late or early starts, never doing overtime, regularly working under normal hours as they’ve got kids at home but not getting called out on it, etc etc etc.

I’m in favour of increasing flexibility but I’ve only ever seen the shitty end of the stick, sadly. I genuinely feel like a second class citizen most of the time.

What a rotten attitude !

These children are the future breadwinners and tax payers in this country.

Their contribution keeps the country running and the parents should be assisted wherever possible.

Additionally I think workplaces should provide creches for the parents if they have room to do so.

Interesting viewpoint. May I ask why you think a wheelchair should take priority over a baby in a pram? I obviously don’t mean if it’s possible for the mother to sit holding the baby but there are occasions where that’s extremely difficult and/or dangerous.

@Firefly1987

Very true but then you also get onto the argument about there not being enough younger people to fund the ageing population. I believe there may have been another Mumsnet post on this issue.

I agree OP. Because its a 'lifestyle choice' there can be no 'special treatment'...you see it in threads about 'should pregnant women be given seats on public transport' - people saying 'its pregnancy not a disability.

Yes it is 'only' pregnancy, and yes it is a choice. But so are a lot of things- someone who broke their ankle playing rugby has done so due to a lifestyle choice and isn't disabled...but it's basic human decency to give them a seat on a train when I can stand easily.

This completely

@jengachampion but that literally just doesn't happen. So not really a relevant point

Honestly @Duckwithnobill have children. Don't have children. Everyone will be ok with whatever you or anyone else decides on the having children choice.

It should be for parents not mothers.

This

It’s fairly obvious 😂😂😂

I think we'd manage-people haven't ever stopped having kids long enough to find out what would happen so it's a moot point.

You don't choose to have elderly and frail parents.

If employers are going to accommodate employees ' caring needs, those accommodations should apply to a range of needs .

And if no woman in our society decides to make this lifestyle choice?

No one with the advantages you mentioned is complaining, it’s jealous people wanting everyone to have inflexible working conditions like they do I’m afraid.

I completely agree with you.

It’s due to the cultural attitude. ‘At home, I wish I had a goat like my neighbour. In England, I wish my neighbour’s goat would die.’

We have a huge problem with falling birth rates as well as devaluing motherhood, treating it as a pointless indulgence, and treating the idea with contempt. When really it should be treated as a difficult and essential job that is necessary for society to function. It’s sad that it is not respected, and that accommodation is not put in place like it is in other countries to make it easier for mothers to thrive, maintain their careers, and participate in society.

Agreed. I have three now adult DC. But I agree with this.