In Holland children are welcomed into the workplace. In Asia babies are taken into the kitchens by waiting staff while Mum enjoys a meal. On Malaysian airline flights stewardesses will gleefully take the opportunity to rock a baby as she wanders up and down the aisle. In Columbia mums-to-be receive a minimum six weeks paid maternity leave, with some companies offering up to six months PAID.
So why in Australia do we not respect children, welcome them in, and financially compensate for raising them? Are we too poor a nation? No! Are children necessary to provide labour within the home? No! Do we lack the education to understand children? No! Are our health facilities lacking? No! Is the population spiraling out of control? No!
What’s the reason behind this? I’ve already lost count of how many times my presence with my daughter has been unwelcome—and she’s not even two yet. Chemists, doctor’s waiting rooms, restaurants, cafés, specialist offices, public transport, shops, libraries, museums, beaches—the list goes on. There’s even a post office I now avoid entirely because of the countless disapproving stares and derogatory remarks I received, all from the staff.
I’ve faced judgmental looks and critical remarks, yet not once has anyone offered meaningful help—or even a kind word (well, except for one compliment directed at my daughter). I’ve struggled to push a pram through heavy doors, met only with blank stares instead of a helping hand. I’ve wrestled with shopping trolleys, desperately searching for one with a functional restraint while others impatiently waited for their own. I’ve attempted to navigate narrow shop aisles blocked by bulky boxes, only to leave empty-handed as the shopkeeper passively looked on.
At restaurants, I’ve had to hunt for, set up, and clean highchairs myself, only to discover their straps were broken. I’ve lugged suitcases onto shuttle buses while managing a pram, only to be told I was blocking the aisle and needed to move. These moments of struggle make it painfully clear how often parents are left to fend for themselves in a world that offers little understanding or support.
I could go on but I have neither the time nor the inclination to write a novel-length piece of the subject. What disappoints me is this attitude we have towards young children and mums. We are inconveniences, we are not worthy of assistance, we cause disruption and we are met with disapproval. It’s not always the case. The elderly are often kind and will coo and aah at my baby, or let me go first in the queue. Young mums will often make short comments and comparisons. Some receptionists will hand you a form with babe in arms instead of making you carry it back and forth. But generally speaking, I often wish I could sink into the sticky floors of the shopping centre, or disappear behind that doctor’s room door I can’t negotiate.
Let’s hope in the future children become as revered as they ought to be. After all, they ARE our future.