Should Parents Consider Their Condition a Disability?

Recently, a Huffington Post article discussed the opinions of Jeannette Cox, a University of Dayton law professor who specializes in disability law. Cox believes that pregnant women need additional protection than what is currently maintained by law, ensuring that any physical limitations experienced during pregnancy will not threaten employment security.

While Cox’s proposed policy may help pregnant women feel emboldened to share their news with their bosses, the idea of pregnancy as a disability is igniting conversation about whether protection should extend beyond pregnancy.

Some parents, aggravated with the lack of space for strollers or adequate diaper change facilities in public places, are thinking that they deserve additional rights as well.

Certainly a mother is impeded by her children when she tries to do everyday activities.

If you’ve ever tried wrestling a screaming toddler into car seat straps when he is arching his back in defiance, or if you have attempted changing an overflowing diaper in a public, one-person bathroom without a changing table with someone pounding on the door, you know that most tasks are harder to accomplish with a small child along.

But I’m not sure that difficulty translates to a disability. We choose to have children, unlike those with physical disabilities that are not simply dealing with the terrible twos. A disability is often lifelong, and those with disabilities can’t make the decision to call a sitter to make their errands go more smoothly.

This argument seems to be an example of parents viewing their children as a hindrance or a bother rather than their responsibility. Of course it’s harder to get things done with kids along.

I love to take my kids on outings and playdates. However, if there’s a way to sneak out to do errands on my own, I will go for it. Take my little darlings with me to the grocery store and the dry cleaners? No way! 

I do take my kids on errands, of course. Instead of demanding policy change to call having children a disability, I would prefer to do things the old-fashioned way and do business with family-friendly establishments.

For instance, St. Louis Bread Company isn’t the easiest place to navigate a stroller, but I love that they offer a healthy kids’ meal. It isn’t especially low-priced, but I tell myself that I would pay that extra dollar or two to avoid another cheap toy underfoot in my house and the guilt from feeding my kids fries.

I also love the two-seater carts in Costco. In many stores, moms of more than one small child are forced to choose between chasing one loose kid or actually buying something. Other stores, like Target or Shop ‘n Save, have fancy two-seater options, but the heft of them prevents pushing them anywhere without knocking into a few end-caps. At Costco, I can corral two kids and load up on groceries.

Even places that don’t seem kid-friendly might be more so than you would expect. For instance, several years ago when we had our first baby, my husband asked an employee at a local movie theater what would happen if we brought our newborn to a movie and then had to leave if he wouldn’t be quiet. Not only did they say we were welcome, but that they would give us a refund if we had to make a quick exit. Sometimes you just have to ask.

A policy giving women additional protection from losing their jobs when they’re suffering from the physical challenges of pregnancy sounds like a great idea. But should we ask for a policy calling parenthood a disability? No, thanks.