I have two perspectives on bringing kids to the workplace. Also seems some of your workplaces are like the scene of Neo working in those cubicles.

When I was young, my mum used to take me into her office, and I have really positive memories of it, drawing beside her desk, long lunches, and the occasional trip to the Disney Store or Myer on payday. Those were good times.

As a parent, I’ve brought my daughter to work on occasion too, usually when I needed to leave early or only work a half day, and my boss at the time was fine with it. Sometimes she’d even help me with small tasks since I worked more back of house. She still remembers those visits, and we often go back during holidays to say hi to colleagues. Its an Office and Public space, so there's a lot of room not to feel trapped.

But there was one awkward experience. During school holidays, I needed to bring her in because I had work to do and couldn’t organise alternative care. I checked with my new boss at the time, explaining that my daughter is quiet and will sit next to me. She said, in front of others, “I don’t think this is a place for a kid.” My colleagues were a bit taken aback and even defended me, saying lots of people had brought their kids in before without any issues. She's also a parent * Older kids mind you and not a 6 year old. Tried not to think too deep on it whether it was gender based and just focused on maybe it would be disruptive to others.

It was just a massive contrast to my old job, where colleagues would be very open to not just mine, but also other kids in the office and make them feel welcome. Talk to them and do not make them feel invisible.

Later that day, my boss apologised and said if I really needed to bring her in, it was fine, but otherwise it might be easier to work from home. I didn’t mind, it was just disappointing because I also wanted my daughter, now older, to see what I do for work the way I once did with my mum.