i think that it would really depend on the situation. depending on the parent, and the company, and the work environment i think that it could be ok, but with the wrong situation, it would be very distracting i'd imagine. having a child crying all day or wanting to fawn over an adorable baby would be too much for me.

I cannot stand when people bring their children to work. This is not a daycare it is a place of business and I do not like sitting in my cube listening to a screaming child while I am trying to get kits out to the factory or work on a margin report.

My god I can just imagine hearing that annoying baby cry. Or having kids run around, taking office supplies. Or just kids screaming or fighting of whatever. UGH.

But then again...I remember when I was 8, my mom took me to her office and I helped her staple documents together and lick envelopes. But this only happened two or three times, and I behaved.

I really think this would be awesome. I plan on trying to express to my boss, when the time comes, that I will take off less time in the breastfeeding days if I am allowed to have my baby at work. I've read about medium sized law firms doing it, and I really think it would allow me to stay glued to my office and be able to focus here since I won't constantly be trying to leave and check on my baby. I don't think it would be any more distracting than the things I find to distract me now, and I'm in a work environment where I do have my own office. I think ultimately it has to be a case by case basis, and there needs to be flexibility - if the baby is feeling bad and crying nonstop, you can't have them in the office... but if it is a normal day (and I'm not delusional, I am around babies a lot) I think it is manageable. I think the line needs to be drawn though around six to eight months, where they don't contain quite so easily. That is when my mom's school doesn't let the moms bring in their babies anymore, because it is distracting.

I think it is awesome, but everyone needs to be open and flexible, http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,1699879,00.html

Not a mom so I cant really say. I think it depends on the job and workplace environment.

I dont want kids in my office. But after reading the comments if you have your own office and the kid is quiet I guess it wouldnt really affect me. Unless I had to ask a question only to walk in on a baby suckling on a breast. Then I can very much imagine being very uncomfortable. And also Ive been around a lot of babies, EVERY baby makes noise.

Maybe I dont understand it because im not a mother but i really dont get why children have to be EVERYWHERE. Maybe this is why this country needs more maternity leave. Give the mothers 9 months instead of 3 and then we wont have to worry about this.

I think it would only work in a small office if everyone had children so they all dealt with the distractions equally. I'd probably quit my job if children were permitted, just because I don't have children so why should I put up with someone else's child, if they don't have to deal with mine?
Then again, I cannot ever picture it happening in my field. I'm a scientist and I work with hazardous chemicals on a daily basis. No way I'd want my child crawling on the floor of the lab. Imagine if a toddler got loose and was crawling and you tripped over him/her and spilled a flask of chloroform?

such a work place already exists! its called "working from home!"

Couldn't do it.

I think we all work a bit too much and any extra time we're able to have with our families is a good thing... even if it is at work. Of course it would have to depend on the situation. I can't imagine babies at construction sites or strip clubs.

I'd be so mad if they allowed babies in the workplace. Argh. Screaming and crying is not great for a work atmosphere.

uh, i'm sorry but i don't want kids...and i certainly don't want them in my place of business working alongside. that's what daycare is for. I'm ALL for having daycare at jobsites, but having the kid attached to you while at work? please. why should all of us be subjected to that? it's your choice to have the kid, so why should i have to adjust my working to you needing to bring along your kid.

bringing your child to work will lower the level of professionalism in the work place, and will reflect poorly on you.

I would not want children in my workplace any more than there already are. People are there to work, not supervise children and be distracted by them.

i don't think it's fair to those around you. my sister worked in an office where the bosses (a married couple) brought their kids to the office regularly, and it was hell for her. she still hates blonde children because of that situation.

Sometimes my boss and his wife bring their kids in the office, and every single time I leave my desk--even if just to go to the bathroom or something--I come back to find them on my computer, playing games. So I feel your sister's pain, carhornsinapril

I would hate it if children were in my office on a regular basis. It would be so distracting. We do have two dogs in my office but they are extremely well-behaved and practically silent.

My office does have a private little room with a couch for nursing mothers to go when they need to pump.

Worst. Idea. Ever.

I would quit my job and work somewhere that didn't allow kids. It probably depends on how well the indvidual child behaves, but after being subjected to horrible parenting whenever I go out in public I really don't trust anyone to make a good judgement call on their kids or keep them in check.

This is the worse idea in the history of crappy ideas. That would annoy other workers and it would bother the parent as well at the WRONG time.

If a parent has a meeting and a child is crying or throwing a temper tantrum, then the company could loose money because they're dealing back and fourth with crying, temper tantrum, or sick child.

I don't even like having to listen to co-workers who have extended phone conversations (we have an open cubicle system), let alone babies screaming, yelling, and running around. On-site daycare is a good idea, but bringing children to work is definitely a no.

I think it most cases it would be way to distracting for colleages and the parents. I wouldn't mind "bring-your-kids-days", but all the time would be too much.

I dont like children. And I definately dont like them at work. Its bad enough that everytime I venture out my ears are assaulted by other peoples brats. Get a babysitter.

This is a horrible idea. The workplace is not a place for kids.

I would love it!

I dont have a baby or kids but I have a dog and I hate leaving him every day!

I could foresee this leading to bringing your dog into work, so I would support it.

Plus, I wouldnt give a rip if it was distracting. I love distractions!

Wow, I dont usually see myself as a laid back easy going kind of person but after going back and reading the comments from everyone else so far, I feel like I'm way off on the opposite end of the spectrum from y'all!

I think there are just some people that are like, EVERYTHING bothers them.

I mean, if you're in a good mood and are a flexible, adaptable type of person (3 things that make for a great employee by the way!), having a couple of kids in the office isnt going to bother you or affect your work.

I dont think the majority of offices have employees that are all at that same age where they ALL have young children.

I suppose if you work in an office with a door that shuts, 1 kid would not be a big deal. BUT... I don't want to have to listen to someone else's baby crying or kids fighting or running around. I think it's just a bad idea. I remember visiting my dad at work briefly as a kid and I was bored in about 2 seconds. But I think office day care is a great idea. Workplaces should be supportive of parents but you don't need to turn a cubicle into a preschool.

It would be easier for a lot of people but as some of u stated I also cannot bear the child screaming and kicking etc...

Why not, instead, expand telecommuting capabilities? Let moms work from home and not drag their sleepy, hungry, grumpy babies to the office and possibly make others uncomfortable or distracted. Telecommuting is very cost-efficient and environmentally anyway; without people in the office, the workplace owners don't have to pay to keep the lights on, etc. and time spent on the road declines. There are times when you really need to be in the office, but, depending on your job, there are plenty of things that can be done from home just as effectively.