[DuncanIdaho]

What if most women want to take care of their own babies?

Hell I'm a guy and I'm dreaming about downshifting or even ending my career when kids start coming. I have seen consumerist/careerist families and I believe I can do better.

I actually WANT my kids to be raised in an atmosphere of (material) scarcity to the point that I could do without major wealth or if I acquired it I would "hide" it from them.

I must be batshit crazy huh?

[ColdAsIce]

Who says you cant bring your child to work?

False dichtomy "careerist" "or" "family". Modern family can evolve to just as other relationships. It is very frightening for a child to be left at a day-care center, it would be much better if the parents could bring their children to work and have an "office" only for kids. Hire a baby-sitter and you are all set. Work and family.

Don't tell me this and that as reasons why it cant work. It works for me and my coworkers just fine.

[jtheory]

Very much agreed with gp on downshifting career when having kids -- that's what I've done.

I'm less convinced about bringing the child to work, mostly because I've never been in a workplace where I've seen that, so it's tough to imagine.

Can you elaborate on that (or do you or a co-worker have a blog post, article, etc. about your experience)? Can you run though a typical day?

I work remotely, entirely, as does my wife. Obviously, this is one way to solve that problem, but it's not possible for most people, and the startup I work with is thinking about setting up offices, etc..

[ColdAsIce]

Child comes with the parent and sits or sleeps in his small chair in the parents office. When the child wakes up or wants something, the parent gives it to him like any other person that comes into the office and wants something. Usually the baby is happy if he can get a toy or push the chair around a bit. The baby also likes to have his father in clear sight when in his chair with toys.

For the father it means he gives attention to the child from time to time, but he can still get his job done.

Once he was on phone with a key account manager on the other side, the baby started crying for attention or something, the key account manager heard and asked if he needs a minute or two... he took the baby in his arm and continued the conversation while the baby tryed to smack him, thats how it looked like. Very funny and uplifted the whole conversation.

I imagine for bigger children we could dedicate one office full with toys to them. It would be like daycare center on-site.