I went to the DMV to get a new license since we just moved to a new state...I needed to take the knowledge test which I didn't know I was going to have to take (thank goodness I passed)...anyway I took my eight-week old with me and they told me I couldn't take her in with me to take the test b/c children weren't allowed.
Here was my 8-week old quietly sleeping while being carried on me...
I expressed to the lady that I bf'ed her and wouldn't be able to take the test without her. She explained to me that her daughter used a pump so why couldn't I. With all due respect, pumping is great, but I don't pump and I wouldn't want to give my baby a bottle right now since I am a SAHM and there is not a need for us.
-Meanwhile everyone is gawking over how cute the baby is so I explain that 'yes, she is adorable but it's amazing how our culture discriminates against the needs of mothers with these adorably cute babies.'
So, I asked to see a writtenpolicy that newborns weren't allowed in the testing area since there was a not a posted sign. The clerk said she didn't know if there was one but that I could speak with the manager. (All of this was said in a friendly tone BTW)
When the manager did come and I explained that I was in the understanding that children weren't allowed in the testing area but that I didn't see why my sleeping newborn who is ebf'ed couldn't be allowed. There was no one testing currently and if she did become a noise disturbance to someone else testing I would happily end my testing early and return at a later time.
The manager said that they would of course make an exception for me.
:
Annie had woken up at this point so I went and changed her and nursed her before testing to make sure she would be happy. Then I nursed her during the test b/c she was a little squirmy....
So, lesson learned...rules aren't always rules! Exceptions can be made and you can catch more flies with honey than vinegar.
Here was my 8-week old quietly sleeping while being carried on me...
I expressed to the lady that I bf'ed her and wouldn't be able to take the test without her. She explained to me that her daughter used a pump so why couldn't I. With all due respect, pumping is great, but I don't pump and I wouldn't want to give my baby a bottle right now since I am a SAHM and there is not a need for us.
-Meanwhile everyone is gawking over how cute the baby is so I explain that 'yes, she is adorable but it's amazing how our culture discriminates against the needs of mothers with these adorably cute babies.'
So, I asked to see a writtenpolicy that newborns weren't allowed in the testing area since there was a not a posted sign. The clerk said she didn't know if there was one but that I could speak with the manager. (All of this was said in a friendly tone BTW)
When the manager did come and I explained that I was in the understanding that children weren't allowed in the testing area but that I didn't see why my sleeping newborn who is ebf'ed couldn't be allowed. There was no one testing currently and if she did become a noise disturbance to someone else testing I would happily end my testing early and return at a later time.
The manager said that they would of course make an exception for me.
:Annie had woken up at this point so I went and changed her and nursed her before testing to make sure she would be happy. Then I nursed her during the test b/c she was a little squirmy....
So, lesson learned...rules aren't always rules! Exceptions can be made and you can catch more flies with honey than vinegar.
to you for your persistence!
. I didn't have any problems but I didn't need to take the written test. So glad they were willing to be flexible and reasonable to accommodate you; it's not something you always get in government offices.
..why is it that people think they can bully us? I mean really.....that is what they are doing.....and it's wrong.
