Rain today and yesterday reminds me that owners of malls and some restaurants are nuts for not having a play area for children. I admit the little ones can do a lot of damage in a short time… but, and this is the point, it guarantees parents with money in their pockets-or at least charge cards-will go there. Why? Because we will do anything to get the kids out of the house and to a place where they can exert a lot of energy. Preferably it’s a place with padded carpeting and straight jackets for the parents-okay not the second one. I can’t tell you how many times we have picked Burger King over any other nearby fast food place solely because of the indoor playground. Charlotte can’t even reach the platforms to get up to the plastic tunnels but inevitably some bigger kids or petite parents (this would not be me!) assist her. I know what some of you are thinking. Yes, I have heard the stories about all the germs in these shared play areas. But guess what? Charlotte puts her hands all over the restrooms in these joints and we know they’re no cleaner. The other plus is hanging out with the other moms and dads you always end up having an interesting conversation with about sleep habits, bratty behavior, controlling siblings, you name it. These are topics that you can’t bring up just anywhere. But on a bench in the mall’s kids’ zone, they are welcome discussions. I always love the feeling I get when I exchange glances with another mom or dad or grandparent. Yes, these kids are wild but what are we going to do about it… what can we do about it? I guess just keep taking them to BK, McDonald’s, Von Maur’s train table and the library. See you there!
Posted under Baby Thomas: Month 8
This post was written by Tara on March 24, 2009
When we lived in Texas, every place was SO kid friendly. Every fast food restaurant had nice large play rooms. Of course everyone down there seems to have 3 or more kids! When we moved to Iowa City, we were amazed that NONE of the fast food restaurants in IC or Coralville what so ever had play places – NOWHERE. Our daughter is older now so not a big deal, but when we first moved here, we truly found out the meaning of being NOT kid friendly.
When my kids were little, we couldnt afford to take our kids to places to play, let alone eat….I love going to CEC now that we had the little neighbor girl over about every weekend. I love her as much as my own kids, and we remark several times that we are sure glad we can afford things now so we can too, enjoy these places! I always love it when people mention the germ thing…..Tara, can you imagine the germs WE came into contact with as a child? I carry sanitizer with me whereever I go, and I am not afraid to use it, especially when you see some of the public bathrooms!
As the father of four kids under the age of 8, rainy days become explore the food joints. Ever since a certain food chain “remodeled” one of their stores and removed the playland finding a place to run energy has become harder to find. However now that the Phelps center is open with dollar days on the third Thursday of the month it adds another distraction for the kids.
As a Grandma I totally agree with you. In fact I have been known to drive to Evansdale to find a play place on a rainy day. We frequent the WMCA for the same reason.