Being a mom in the workplace isn’t exactly easy. However, it looks like some businesses are openly starting to accept new mothers bringing their infants in while getting some work done. One chiropractor posted a photo of a mom holding her daughter at the office, and it went viral. The photo inspired a discussion about allowing more moms to bring their newborns into the office.
Melody Blackwell gave birth to her daughter, Nora-Jo, and was given a 3-month maternity leave by her boss. Her boss, Dr. Elizabeth Baker, allowed Melody to come back to work one day a week. The rest of the week she could work from home.
Most businesses are not so flexible. However, Dr. Baker was more than happy to oblige. Baker takes a holistic approach to life. As such, she appreciated the bond that is needed for a newborn and its mother. Daycare can be both expensive and interrupt that bond.
Viral Photo
According to Yahoo News, Blackwell said that using daycare services can be life-changing. And not in a great way.
“It’s sometimes worse than not having a job at all,” she said. Blackwell added that she knows a couple of moms who decided the cost of daycare was outright prohibitive. “It made more financial sense for them to quit their jobs,” she said.
Yahoo News
So, when Blackwell and Dr. Baker reached an agreement that worked for everyone, Blackwell was overjoyed.
She allows me to bring my baby with me when I come in so we can continue to bond and breastfeed.
This picture was snapped by my boss in the middle of a work day at the office. She thought it was a sweet moment and so did I. We never thought it would get so much attention! We just thought it was a cute picture.
LoveWhatMatters
Sending a Message
The Facebook post, seen below, ended up going far beyond the views of those who went to that chiropractic office.
Read: Sometimes a Day Off with the Kids is Harder Than a Work Day
Dr. Baker, who snapped the photo, never expected it to go viral. She thought it was a sweet moment captured on camera. However, the message it sends is one that should be shared everywhere.
“That was one of the first few days Melody brought the baby in the office,” Dr. Baker told Yahoo Lifestyle. “I honestly was taking it to post onto our office Facebook page. Mostly for our patients who had been asking about how mom and baby were doing. She had been gone for three months. I wanted to share that with our little following for the office. I never thought it would get so many comments and shares!”
Yahoo News
Blackwell wrote her thoughts to Love What Matters and shared her views on bringing a newborn into the workplace.
I hope other employers will see this picture and see that it can be done. Depending on the work place, moms can bring their children to work and be productive. I hope more moms in the future will get the opportunity I have – to get to spend every day with my baby, but also contribute to the family income.
LoveWhatMatters
So, let us know what you think about this topic in the comments!
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Sources
- “‘She makes it look easy.’ This picture was snapped by my boss in the middle of a work day at the office. I think more work places can be more flexible.’: Working mom advocates for babies in the workplace, ‘It can be done’” Love What Matters.
- “Photo of multitasking mom caring for infant at work goes viral: ‘She makes it look easy’” Yahoo January 22, 2019.
- “Maryland Farms Chiropractic.” Facebook