To what extent should employers accommodate parents?

Just in time for Mother’s day, another inflammatory parenting issue that I’ve been thinking about: How much should employers accommodate the special needs that come with parenthood, if at all?

This issue has come up in my workplace in a few different ways, and I am surprised to find that I don’t really know how I feel about it.

Do you think that parents should be treated 100% the same as non-parents, especially in terms of workload, workflow, and flexible hours or working from home?

Do you think it’s acceptable to bring kids into the workplace? If there are safety issues, that’s an obvious no, but that is probably the minority of jobs. What if it’s a minor distraction to the parent/coworker, but the only way the parent is able to be at work?

Have you had any unusual or difficult workplace/parenting interactions?

Does anything in your answer change if we’re discussing a mother vs. a father?