Back in December, Brittany Warfield was at the Galleria Mall in Houston, TX. She was nursing her baby in front of the Hollister, when the manager came out and yelled at her, ordering her to move. The news story spread, and the media tried to get a response from Hollister. Unfortunately, the corporation refused to comment. Thus, a nationwide nurse-in was organized.
Here in Lakeland, my wife Jennifer was debating whether she would take our 2-month old son. I wanted her to go, and I wanted to support the cause. So, I suggested our entire family go.
Jennifer has been one of those "lactivists" for a while, and I am very supportive of her nursing. I'm a reasonably well-education biology teacher, so I understand the tremendous benefits for both mom and baby. Unfortunately, many in our society think nursing is gross or otherwise undesirable. And many actively work to make nursing more difficult. So, it's important that moms know their rights and know they're not alone in this battle.
So, I wanted our whole family to go. And off we went to the Lakeland Square Mall.
Of course, my wife Jennifer was there nursing our son. But, I'm glad we had the chance to take our daughters, who are 5 and 3. We definitely want to raise children who are willing to stand up (or, in this case, sit down) for what's right.
It started simply enough.
But, it wasn't long before two mall security guards showed up. At first, they said the women couldn't sit on the floor because it's dangerous. When the women asked if it was illegal, they were told they were loitering. Eventually, the mall security told the women one of their baby strollers was blocking the entrance to the store. Ironically, the baby stroller excuse is the exact same excuse used by the Hollister manager at the Houston Galleria. That must be standard mall training.
Take a look at the pictures and see how blocked the entrance was, or was not. The women agreed to stand, and the security guards moved over a little farther away.
Then, one of the guards went to brief an employee at the Gordon's Jewelers across the walkway. Eventually, a third security guard was posted to guard Hollister from the dangerous mommy-terrorists.
(originally posted on my blog: http://www.dadonahog.com/2013/01/nurse-in-at-hollister.html)
Here in Lakeland, my wife Jennifer was debating whether she would take our 2-month old son. I wanted her to go, and I wanted to support the cause. So, I suggested our entire family go.
Jennifer has been one of those "lactivists" for a while, and I am very supportive of her nursing. I'm a reasonably well-education biology teacher, so I understand the tremendous benefits for both mom and baby. Unfortunately, many in our society think nursing is gross or otherwise undesirable. And many actively work to make nursing more difficult. So, it's important that moms know their rights and know they're not alone in this battle.
So, I wanted our whole family to go. And off we went to the Lakeland Square Mall.
Of course, my wife Jennifer was there nursing our son. But, I'm glad we had the chance to take our daughters, who are 5 and 3. We definitely want to raise children who are willing to stand up (or, in this case, sit down) for what's right.
It started simply enough.
But, it wasn't long before two mall security guards showed up. At first, they said the women couldn't sit on the floor because it's dangerous. When the women asked if it was illegal, they were told they were loitering. Eventually, the mall security told the women one of their baby strollers was blocking the entrance to the store. Ironically, the baby stroller excuse is the exact same excuse used by the Hollister manager at the Houston Galleria. That must be standard mall training.
Take a look at the pictures and see how blocked the entrance was, or was not. The women agreed to stand, and the security guards moved over a little farther away.
Then, one of the guards went to brief an employee at the Gordon's Jewelers across the walkway. Eventually, a third security guard was posted to guard Hollister from the dangerous mommy-terrorists.
(originally posted on my blog: http://www.dadonahog.com/2013/01/nurse-in-at-hollister.html)