by Emily Travis

Created on: November 25, 2008

Ridiculous. Without actively trying to appear callous, I'd like to make the obvious observation that if you're truly career oriented, child-bearing might not be for you. I believe in the beauty of parenthood, and I also believe in the power of occupational initiative. These positions can only successfully interface if you plan to advance in the private ownership of a home daycare center, or if your workplace is large enough to host a separate daycare center within its building. Otherwise, family time and business time should never be the same time.

As someone who was fortunate enough to grow up with a stay-at-home mother, I understand the financial issues my parents dealt with under the meager umbrella of a single income for an entire household; however, because it was important to my mother that I experience a nurturing environment, and because we were unable to afford daycare, she remained at home until I was old enough to amuse myself safely, unsupervised. If she were a single mother, I would have been conveniently panned off to some other member of the family while she was at work, or shuttled into a daycare center, though she would have paid the cost begrudgingly. Honestly, the idea of attempting to successfully control sticky fingers and the pitter-patter of little feet under your desk, behind the copier, or (God forbid) next to your chagrined co-workers at the fax machine seems inconsiderate and hugely unprofessional.

Scenario 1: Your lifestyle demands that you maintain a full-time job, and you find that daycare is too expensive.

Solution: Don't procreate.

Scenario 2: You've always wanted to be a mother, but you know that kids don't raise themselves.

Solution: Quit your job, bribe the child's other parent to stay at home while you pursue your career goals, or find an affordable quality daycare center.

I'm not personally opposed to having the best of both worlds, but I am highly distressed by the idea of imposing parenthood on innocent bystanders in the workplace. Extreme consideration and forethought should be precursory to parenthood, and if you're unable to provide a safe and positive atmosphere for your children while maintaining respect for your peers, you're probably not in the position to be responsible for another human life. Difficult economic times and extraneous circumstances do arise, but any parent lacking a "rainy day" plan is under prepared for the challenges guaranteed as their child develops.

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