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See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

Babies in the office on BBC2

45 replies

CamelKnees · 16/07/2012 19:19

Does anyone else think this is a bit crackers?

I've got a gorgeous DD aged 2. I would get literally nothing done if I tried to simultaneously look after her and work at my desk. I also don't really see how it's much fun for the babies.

Would be interested to hear others' points of view.

OP posts:
ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 16/07/2012 19:20

I am watching with interest :)

Jinsei · 16/07/2012 19:27

I took my baby to the office a handful of times when she was tiny, when normal childcare arrangements had fallen through. My boss was fine with it, but it was hell tbh. I felt guilty about the baby and guilty about my work, I wouldn't recommend it.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 16/07/2012 19:28

I'm impressed with the lassy with the two who was cuddling while on the phone.

And the bloke with his baby sleeping under the desk.

Can't believe no one else is watching!

TooImmatureTurtleDoves · 16/07/2012 19:28

Also watching. It's ok when the babies are asleep or sitting peacefully, but what about tears, tantrums, nappies etc? Toddlers wanting to wander around - how could that work? What about when they throw up in your hair/down your back/on your keyboard?

Pickles77 · 16/07/2012 19:29

This is very Hmm I'm not sure I could do it Confused

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 16/07/2012 19:30

This programme is making it look lovely though...

soon2bmumof3 · 16/07/2012 19:30

It's a mental idea! The poor kids with no attention for one thing and what about everyone else trying to work there. I would not be happy if I rang a call centre and heard babies in the background, there's no way the staff can concentrate.

Original poster
CamelKnees · 16/07/2012 19:30

Agreed Jinsei. I've tried to do a bit of a work from home/look after DD combo a couple of times when she's been too sick to go to nursery or childcare has fallen through and I just couldn't get anything done! Even when she was amusing herself she was still gurgling away in the background and in all honesty I think it sounds pretty unprofessional to hear that down the phone. It also looks massively disruptive when they are actual toddlers in the office.

and more importantly where would I go for peace and quiet if not to work?

OP posts:
TooImmatureTurtleDoves · 16/07/2012 19:32

Wonder how it works in America?

Yy, no one is actually working!

Original poster
CamelKnees · 16/07/2012 19:33

Ooooooh tantrum brewing......

OP posts:
Pickles77 · 16/07/2012 19:33

That's crazy.... Sounds unprofessional down the phone

Original poster
CamelKnees · 16/07/2012 19:34

God you'd be mortified wouldn't you??? Bad enough when can't get DD to calm down in public but in work ???? My in control boss lady act would be rapidly seen through...

OP posts:
TooImmatureTurtleDoves · 16/07/2012 19:35

And the mothers are just like shhh, shhh, don't make a noise - kids can't be quiet all the time! Poor kids.

RedHotPokers · 16/07/2012 19:36

Crazy!

Of course there are people who work from home with young children, but they have all the comforts of home to assist, noone to disturb but themselves, and I presume in the main do not do telephone related jobs!

Putting a baby under a desk to sleep, or trying to answer a work call whilst your baby is crying is ridiculous! Bonkers idea tbh.

I've taken my DCs into work for a few hours once or twice, when I have had a childcare or unexpected work disaster. It was a 'needs must' situation, not ideal for my colleagues or me, and not for my DCs either. Can't see how it would ever work long term.

ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 16/07/2012 19:36

How about if we could work longer hours and take baby in?

issimma · 16/07/2012 19:36

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
CamelKnees · 16/07/2012 19:37

Actually I think that would be one of the big cons for me. I have spent a long time cultivating my work persona. (without wanting to sound too much like a tool) I am quite senior and it is important that people see me in that role and respect it. If they saw me with snot on my skirt and weetabix on my neck losing my cool with DD I don't think I'd be very convincing.

OP posts:
Magneto · 16/07/2012 19:38

Bloody hell. I go mad stuck in the office all day, I can't imagine how these poor kids feel.

littleducks · 16/07/2012 19:38

just turned on now

dont they have creches in the US

Minesaguinness · 16/07/2012 19:39

I'm watching it but I don't really need to as I know how it's gonna go!

Workplace creches are one thing but babies at your desk?!

Original poster
CamelKnees · 16/07/2012 19:41

Now a workplace crèche I would LOVE. Particularly when DD was smaller. Not so much now as I think she'd be bored on the commute but would have been a good solution when she was little when it was such a wrench to leave her.

OP posts:
ItsAllGoingToBeFine · 16/07/2012 19:41

I think it might work better with babies rather than toddlers...

TooImmatureTurtleDoves · 16/07/2012 19:42

The babies are doing ok but the toddlers aren't. And imagine having two or more!

MNHQ
OliviaLMumsnet · 16/07/2012 19:42

Disclaimer not actually watching.

Hulababy · 16/07/2012 19:44

Been watching but really can't see how this would work for any length of time, and especially as the babies become toddlers.

Not convinced as a caller I'd look overly positively on a company if all I could hear was a child crying in the background whilst I was trying to conduct business with them either.

A creche or nursery at work - yes. But children sat on their mum or dad's knee all day - can't see it tbh.

The little ones, esp toddlers, will get so bored of this day in day out.