When a request by MP Stella Creasy to bring her baby into the House of Commons was denied, the accompanying headlines last week reminded us of the artificial rigidity of much of adult working life.
Meetings — even Zoom meetings from the kitchen table — are often held on the hour, and we must abandon all else to appear on our screen, on time. Similarly, when the parliamentary lobby bell rings, and a vote is imminent, our MPs must swiftly gather up their affairs and hot-foot it to the Chamber, casting to the winds whatever is occupying them.
Babies, though, do not take well to being abandoned or cast to the winds. And nor should they. Babies are — literally — the future of humanity, and as educators and school leaders we know that well-cared for babies have a much higher likelihood of turning into healthy, happy adults who are productive members of society. Invest in nurturing a baby, and we invest not only in their future, but in the powerful and positive impact they will have on society.
“Babies are — literally — the future of humanity.”
Adults need to work; babies need love and the physical presence of their loving adult. Yes, babies do need constant attention, but they also sleep a lot and are usually easily soothed when fed on demand, and snuggled listening to their parent’s heartbeat.
Why shouldn’t babies be more welcome in the workplace? And as educators — school leaders and teachers — why are we not leading the way more in demonstrating that this is possible? Comfortable, baby friendly spaces in schools, breastfeeding fridges, flexible working, nurseries on site … is all of this beyond the bounds of our imaginations to create?
“By sharing the beauty of human biology I was contributing towards emboldening others.”
When, as a head of school, I had my babies and I continued working, with them nestled in a sling wrapped around me, I felt that I was giving of my best to both baby and school. In fact, I was giving more than my best.
By acknowledging and sharing the beauty of human biology, and the creation of a unique human life, I realise with hindsight that I was contributing towards emboldening and enabling others. Students and staff would see that we don’t have to pursue the tired old route, with its whiff of female disempowerment, of hiding babies and their mothers out of sight.
We humans are a creative bunch and have a track record throughout history of inventing solutions to problems far more complex than how to deal with employees also being mother to a baby.
“We should adore seeing babies in the workplace – they are a visible symbol of what really matters in our world.”
If we can send rovers to Mars, and invent vaccines to stem pandemics, we can surely say “yes, go ahead” to MP Stella Creasy? And while we are waiting for good sense to prevail, why don’t we reignite the discussion in schools about how we can lead the way for our own staff?
We should absolutely adore seeing babies in the workplace, for they are a visible symbol of what really, really matters in our world – deep, powerful, beautiful human relationships.
MPs like Stella Creasy shouldn’t still have to be pushing the boundaries of acceptance and empowerment of mothers in 2021, but I am glad they are.
Bring in the babies …