Working in Cafes

[manicinsomniac]

Can I ask the general concensus on the acceptability of this? I'm willing to accept IABU.

I'm a single mum of 3 girls with large age gaps. It's very difficult for me to get work done at home. During the holidays I spend a large amount of time in school where the children have loads of stuff to occupy them (hall, swimming pool, woods, dance studio, computer room etc. They aren't deprived!).

But at weekends I don't like to do this. We only get Sundays away from the place so I go a bit stir crazy if I go in Sundays too. At busy times of the year wonderful people take my 2 older children and then the baby and I go to a café and work. I don't have to go to the cafes, I just like to.

Usually I don't have a problem. I choose a range of different cafes, always buy more than one drink and always leave if it looks like getting busy.

Today I tried somewhere different which I'd heard was lovely but always empty. It was indeed quiet (not empty) but I made a big mistake. The only other people there were obviously tourists and the waitresses eyebrows went sky high when I got a laptop and exams out. Later I heard them muttering about 'not an office' and 'poor baby'.

My baby is 15 months old and had a drink and cookie in her high chair and some toys. She was babbling and playing (not especially quietly but the other 2 groups in there were families with more than one child).

I did 20 minutes work to be stubborn then left. Now I'm in my lovely village pub with its free wifi having several more drinks while my daughter plays on the grass. Much nicer. But I'm paranoid now!

What do you think - is it unreasonable to work in a café? Or did I just make a poor choice of café on this occasion and end up ruining a tourist atmosphere?

[OnIlkelyMoorBahtat]

I don't see any issues with you doing this. And if you can manage your work while looking after your baby then good for you; it's irrelevant if other people can't. Remember J. K. Rowling wrote most of the first Harry Potter in cafes with her baby in its pushchair!

Best of luck with your studies, you sound really committed

[scarlets]

Hipster types sit in my local arts centre cafe for hours with one coffee and a laptop. They treat it like a community centre. The place barely turns a profit and a lot of vulnerable people would miss it if it folded because there are great deals for students, pensioners and PIP claimants. I don't know why the management don't implement strict rules at busy times. A little tea room nearby won't serve drinks-only customers between 12 and 2.

So, I think that working in a quiet cafe for 20m when you've bought a coffee for yourself, and a cookie for the baby, is fine.

[TuckingFablet]

*you're

[TuckingFablet]

I really don't see the problem. if your buying drinks and the kid is calm/happy, how is it any different to a group of mum's meeting up with their toddlers for a few hours chatting?

[however]

I don't see the problem at all.

[hibbledibble]

Yanbu

When I go into cafes I always see lots of people with laptops or books out. It's very normal.

It's only on mumsnet that I have ever hear that this isn't acceptable.

I am also very jealous that your 15 month old will allow you to work!

[Chunkymonkey79]

Yanbu

I really don't understand the issue with working in a cafe, providing you buy regular drinks and a bite to eat. Surely the owner isn't arsed if a table is occupied by a customer putting adequate money in the till

[esiotrot2015]

It's not really the same thing though as having lunch out

I really can't see how anyone could describe writing reports with a 15 month old to entertain in a cafe as enjoyable !

[spillyobeans]

Surely even though op could work from home, its just nicer to get out and about sometimes isnt it? Like you could eat a sandwhich at home but it would be more enjoyable to have a picnic on the beach. Having your child along with you is just part of that enjoyment!

[SunnyBaudelaire]

certainly starbucks is fair game,,,,and as you say waves, they are set up for it. I go there and get a single espresso and a glass of water and stay for hours on their wifi.....

[thewavesofthesea]

I live near a university town and some cafes are actually set up for working ie have tables with laptop charger points, large tables for large group discussion. I will do it often in places like Starbucks as I'm not concerned about their profit and other chains. One cafe local to me welcome me as I'm a regular and the manager is always interested in what I'm doing. I get a few looks from some people but I know I am welcome. I usually spend a reasonable amount of money and make sure I have a drink on the go at most points. Otherwise, I probably wouldn't in other independent cafes. I often get chatting to people in such places where other people are working, I have quite an interesting job. Have had some great discussions in Starbucks with strangers! Modern day pubs

[WhyCantIuseTheNameIWant]

Laptop not encroaching on anybody else's space?
Toddler quiet(ish) and happy with drink, snack and toys?
Reasonable amount of food and drink purchased?
Nobody waiting for a table?
Don't think YABU.

[stqueen]

Today I tried somewhere different which I'd heard was lovely but always empty. It was indeed quiet (not empty)

Perhaps their attitude towards you explains why they were quiet on trade and have a reputation as being 'always empty' - surely any business is better than no business? Their reaction to you being there, baby or no baby, work or no work, is not how you treat paying customers. It would put me off going back. Better off at the pub (or at home) I say.

UANBU.

[esiotrot2015]

Does the baby nap ? Could you work at home while she's asleep ?
Or isn't she happier around her toys ?
It all sounds hard work tbh !
I think I'd just do it in the evenings if possible

[SurlyCue]

I was in a cafe/coffe type place a few weeks ago with a friend and every single table had a laptop on it, including the people who had small children with them. It was like a mix of creche and library!

[MsJuniper]

We'd welcome you to our cafe, might be a bit surprised by the baby though. It is always nice if our working customers buy something other than the cheapest cup of coffee though. Piece of cake, sandwich, cappuccino, all go a long way.

[manicinsomniac]

Thanks sparky - I might check with work tomorrow (though might not as I'llb e screwed if the say no!) but really don't think this is an issue. I can see that with some places of work it would be a total no no but really, who's interested in a piece of work with 'Mia' or 'Charlie' scrawled across the top?!

Obviously, I wouldn't have any sensitive paperwork out (an IEP/EHCP, incident report, family info etc)

[sparkysparkysparky]

I admit to being very twitchy about having other people's info out in public areas. My office is very strict about it and we have to log in and out any info about people that we take out. As long as you are sensible, follow employer procedures and don't get complacent you should be ok.

[cashewnutty]

I live in a uni town. All the cafes here are full of students and academics working on Laptops and marking stuff. No-one bats an eyelid at them.

Once you have paid for your drink and snack it is up to you what you want to do at the table. Loads of people take a long time just sitting chatting to friends.

It didn't do JK Rowling any harm writing in a cafe for hours on end, did it?

[sparkysparkysparky]

Having said it's Ok to work in a cafe, I agree with other posters that you need to rethink having pupils' work out in public. You need to be doubly sure you can't be overlooked and you don't leave it lying about when you go to the loo etc.

[ollieplimsoles]

I think the 'poor baby' comments are out of order, so a working mum has taken her baby out of the house for a bit of a change of scene and some fresh air and needs to do a bit of work while she looks after her dc. Baby was fine and had something to eat and drink, its tough working and looking after a baby at the same time!

[manicinsomniac]

Yes, boarding school. And yes, free range kids!

I'm pretty lucky with DD, she's very quiet and placid. DD1 was the same which was great as I was at university. Middle one - not so much!

I can work at home, I just find there are always more distractions and other things that want doing. I like a change of scene and some adult company, even if it's at al distance.

I don't think it's a problem to be doing schoolwork in public - I'd never get anything done if it was. I work while I'm waiting for the children to do their activities in the week and during my own activities when I'm not needed (rehearsals). There's always lots of others working too, especially in dance and gymnastics waiting areas. I've never thought of it as bad. It's not like anyone can read what I'm doing.

[PuppyMonkey]

Do you really get more work done in a cafe than at home? How odd.

[spillyobeans]

This is a shame, if it was quiet and you bought stuff then whats the problem? Ive worked in cafes and would welcome you no problem!!!!