Hairdresser bring toddler grandchild to work?

[paulineriley]

Hi, so I have a moral dilemma!
A hairdresser in my town babysits for her small grandchild at her salon 5 days, its a small set up so its basically her doing all the cuts, dyes etc while the 18month old toddles and crawls about unsupervised. I just think this cant be right, apart from it being a slightly unproffesional way to run a salon I cant help but think the child shouldnt be exposed to all those chemicals and fumes...am i just being a cow!?

For a one off child care emergency it might be okay, but for every day it's not great at all! Wouldn't think it was safe or much fun for the child

Not sure what your dilemma is though?

Yanbu I can't imagine how she gets anything done and not to mention it sounds dangerous for the baby too. But maybe the parents work and there isn't any other option?

I think you’re using quite hyperbolic language there. The hairdresser might be multitasking, the child is not unsupervised though is it? Nans in the same room as it? Presumably it’s a laid back child not crying and whinging all the time. The only issue I’d see is if a client gets irritated that there’s a toddler in the salon. That can be easily resolved by them just not going to that salon anymore

This? Is she planning on reporting them to social services or something? Wringing the police because the hairdressers got her grandchild in the shop?

I'm really pleased to see this thread OP.

Because MN seems unduly exercised by all those feckless lazy WFH mums who dare to have a child around while working.

I'm pleased to see that people in non-WFH jobs do it on occasion too!

I would find this irritating if I was having a haircut though. I can't see how she can concentrate on her work if she has to keep her eye on a toddler. It's not like bringing a 10 year old who can entertain themselves.

No it's not really ok, it can’t be safe for the child or good for them. As for the customers, it’s their choice to go or not knowing the situation, or not go back if they don’t.

I wouldn't go to that salon at all. The customers are paying a fee which includes covering the cost of childcare. If it doesn't, increase your rates.

I'd be really annoyed. It could be dangerous with things like hair straighteners around, plus they'd likely be one of those people that messes up your hair and then goes "oh sorry, my kid needed xyz" (and that was the priority to them).

Not acceptable. Dangerous for the child, offputting for clients and distracting for the grandmother. None of the rest of us would take a small child to work (nor would we be allowed to do so). Time to look for a new hairdresser, OP.

I would be finding a new hairdresser… if she wants to bring her grandchild that’s her prerogative but for the cost that hairdressers charge I want to relax away from children not being wondering where the beep has the toddler wandered off to now… my hairdresser appointment is much needed child free time so it wouldn’t suit me

The child isn’t going to be harmed by ‘all those chemicals and fumes’.

If you don’t like seeing a child crawling about while you get your hair done, that’s fine - go to a different salon.