It depends on the type of workplace environment and the age/maturity of the kids, and how long/how often they were there. I've had jobs where people have brought their kids and it's been no problem, and I've had jobs where they would be a significant distraction even if they were quiet and well-behaved. And I certainly don't think it should ever be a regular option for child care.

A lot of people are demanding that employers provide day care because day care costs make it not worth working. So they live off the system or a spouse. I personally agree with this. I think employers need to have a separate area for the kids and not just let them be anywhere though.

I bring my son in once or twice a month. It's generally 2-3 hours and he sits quietly and reads or plays on his phone. He doesn't distract anyone, and I'm far from the only one here who brings their kids in from time to time. I have a private office and sometimes he sits with me but usually he sits quietly at an empty work station so he has a little more room. (Empty as in vacant, it's for when I have an assistant but I don't currently have one)

I think it is unacceptable and unprofessional. I used to have a coworker who would bring her bad son to work. Everybody hated to see him coming he was so annoying. The little boy was spoiled and the mother let him get away with anything. She actually sat in the cubicle next to mine and she would step away from her desk for a meeting and ask me to watch him. As soon as she stepped away I would walk away and leave him running around. He wasn't my responsibility.

I teach at a university and I bring my son to work with me all of the time, especially in the summer when the pace of life is much slower. If I have to teach a class, I have babysitters that take him for walks or read him books in my office, but if I am just writing or doing office work he just plays with his trucks on the floor like he is doing as I am typing this. No one has ever complained about his presence, and in fact my boss, the dean of the college, will often stop by my office for a chat when he knows that the little guy is present because my son reminds him of his out-of-state grandchildren. He told me directly that he loves it when his faculty bring their children or spouses to campus because it adds to the sense of community among the other faculty and students. I would never take my son to a research meeting or to any of my labs, but I arrange my schedule so all of my commitments of that sort are usually done by 10-11 AM so that I can spend my afternoons with my fella. I could make a lot more money in industry, but it is perks like this that keep me in academia.

I think it's very unprofessional in office environments unless it's like designated bring your kids day. It may have been more acceptable in the past.

Kids should stay with their parents most of the time especially when they are young, and I just find it stupid to think bringing kids to work is unacceptable.

I love kids but not at work. It is distracting and it starts a precedent. Once one does it everyone else feels they can too. Work is where I make the money to support myself, not a place to bring the family.

I don't mind it if someone brings their kid(s) in for 15 minutes to show them where mommy/daddy work, and show the kids off briefly. But when someone brings their kid continually, especially when they expect someone else to entertain them/babysit the kid while mom or dad is in a meeting? No. I used to work with a lady who would bring her preschooler to work whenever the kid was too sick to go to daycare or preschool. WTH? Thanks for sharing the germs!

This may sound mean..but I used to work at a nonprofit based on helping underprivileged children succeed..and when coworkers brought their kids there it was a little annoying...

Depends on state laws and company policy. IF the company allows her to do what she is doing then it is their problem and really none of your business unless of course you are her boss or own the company.

I don't care how cute/quiet/noisy they are, kids don't belong in your place of work. It's OK in certain limited cases but 99% of the time I don't think it is acceptable to bring your child to work. Just take the day off if you can't get childcare.

It depends. If you work at Chuck E. Cheese or a day care or something like that, then sure. If its on weekends (if your job is normally a M-F thing) or late nights (when you are normally a 9-5 job) then I think it's ok. If it's within the normal confines of the job, it would really bother me. I know sometimes if you don't have family in the area and childcare falls through it's rough, but I'd prefer that the person just take the day off. That being said, I think employers need to be more sensitive to these kinds of situations and not put employees in a position where they have to choose between keeping their job or taking care of kids. And yes, I have a kid and I think she hangs the moon, but I'd be annoyed with my own kid at the office, much less someone else's.

I recall a little mom and pop restaurant we used to frequent. The owners starting bringing their children there. They let them play all through the restaurant. One visit they started popping balloons and were only a table or two away from us. The parents went about their normal business and didn't do anything about it. I never went back again.

When I moved three years ago, the movers who delivered my furniture brought two children with them. I guess mom was sick or a babysitting arrangement didn't work out. It was a real nuisance having them running around yakking while I was trying to check off my belongings on the numbered list while the movers brought them in. I have a kid, and I like kids, but they don't belong at work unless you have a job that involves children, like a school.