Without getting into a heated debate whether it’s right or wrong, appropriate or inappropriate… sometimes life happens… and if you are a parent, there may be an inopportune time when you have to bring your child(ren) with you to work.
If you find yourself in this complicated situation, more than likely you are frazzled, to say the least. Take a deep breath, slow down, and spend some time with your child; prepare them, and explain what is expected and appropriate behavior. Look them in the eye when you speak to them and explain how you expect them to treat your workplace and your co-workers with respect. Just like the library, there are rules. If they don’t know the rules going into the situation beforehand, they can’t be expected to behave accordingly.
As a co-worker, you may be tempted to offer candy or snacks. Please check with the parent first, you may be making a difficult situation much worse… you never know how Junior reacts to sugar, things could get ugly – fast.
Manners and etiquette, it all boils down to making people feel comfortable. By doing your due diligence to prepare your child for appropriate behavior in your workplace: you will help to make them feel comfortable, and you will hopefully help to make your co-workers feel more comfortable as well.
Please visit my post ‘What is Manner Monday?’ to learn more about how to make the most of Manner Monday. Do you have a ‘manner’ you would like to see covered on Manner Monday? Feel free to send me your thoughts.
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