I’m an anxious person, as those of you who follow me, will already know. I’m anxious about almost anything and can create a whole world of anxiety, out of the smallest of things. When it comes to taking my children out into the big, wide, World and showing them all of the things it has to offer – I’m at my most anxious.
This weeks writing challenge on WordPress is a topic which naturally, is close to my heart, as it asks an important question,
What do you think about kids in adult-oriented places?
I’m afraid I have to sit on the fence on this one. I’m with both sides of the poll. You see, I have a three year old son, an eleven month old son and an eleven month old daughter. Yep, I have twins, so even stepping outside of the front door is a logistical nightmare, let alone going anywhere like the museum, or a fancy restaurant.
We did make it to the zoo once.
On one hand, I’m all for taking my children to somewhere like the museum or an art gallery. There, there is something to be learned, discovered and a museum for a child, is like a mini adventure. I want them to grow up having tasted some of the history and varied cultures that the world has to offer, so that when they’re old enough to fly the nest – that interest can blossom into something more.
On the other hand, I dread the very thought of it! Not only just getting there, but what if they misbehave - or God forbid, they all misbehave at the same time? What if they all run off in different directions and I spend the rest of the visit, trying to herd them up, with apologetic glances at the other museum going visitors, who have just been terrorised by my little monsters angels?
If I did take them into an ‘adult’ place – there would have to be firm ground and they would have to be a few years older. Have you tried explaining to a three year old, that they’re not allowed to touch anything? It’s like a red rag to a bull! All they will then want to do is touch everything in sight, before you tether them to your side, apologise again and remove them from the venue. Try explaining all of that to an eleven month old!
The flip side though is, when me and the other half do get the rare moment to go out by ourselves (usually about once a year!), the last thing I would want, would be the sound of a wailing toddler, while I’m trying my best to eat spaghetti in a remotely elegant manner. Ok so that last bit conjures really bad Lady And The Tramp images, but you get what I mean – it wouldn’t be very romantic would it?
Overall my opinion is this:
If you don’t mind getting the eye off disgruntled venue/restaurant/(insert adult place here) goers, when your children are crashing their party – or if you have well behaved little ones, who are well disciplined and know when enough is enough and you can effectively remove them from said situation, should everything go pear shaped, then sure, go for it!
If you’re like me and meltdown at the smallest…err..meldown by your little tribe of offspring, and/or like your adult time to be exactly that – adult, then leave the kids at home. There will be plenty of time for them to explore the world of the older generation and by God you’ll have your work cut out then! So, what’s the rush?
Well said!
Hear hear! I think I am on the fence, too. I hate going out to restaurants with my kids, it’s all too much stress and hassle!
I’ve never tried it and don’t intend to! Raising children is hard enough without all of that stress!
I totally agree lots of time when their older!
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Mine are a bit older now and we do got out to eat – but at very child orientated restaurants. They are pretty well behaved and the threat of leaving before pudding is enough to elicit good behaviour at all times!
I’m going to have to remember that threat, for when mine get a bit older! Right now it’s a struggle enough to get them in and out of the house!
I just have one kid, so it’s not as much of a logistical problem as I’m sure it is for you with three! So we do go out with him, but it is not very often, and it’s usually just when we’re traveling to see family and don’t have a lot of options for a meal. I don’t have any problem with kids in places like restaurants or museums, the only time I don’t like it is when a parent acts inappropriately with their child, or when the child acts inappropriately with no supervision from the parent.
I agree with you on those points. It’s easy to forget that sometimes, it can be the adults who’s behaviour is not what it should be, and since children learn from the example of their elders, then who can blame them for acting out?
I don’t mean to say that this is always the case, but did want to bring it up. Maybe I’m just too easy going, but kids don’t bother me when they act crazy in a public area. I just think, ‘that kid’s having a bad day’. The parents who are mean do bother me though.
I see examples of this on a daily basis, taking my toddler to nursery and back – parent’s hurrying their children along, shouting at them and quite a lot of the time, swearing and calling them names. So, this is really not limited to adult environments. It saddens me to see and hear it, because the child more often than not, knows no better.
I see that too, maybe it’s because I’m an older parent, but I really do value every day I get to spend with my son, despite his sometimes making me crazy. Parenthood is a gift and should be appreciated.
That’s just part and parcel of being a parent isn’t it. Sometimes, they do drive you crazy and other times, you couldn’t be more proud of them! You’re right thought. Parenthood definitely is a gift. After the trouble my eldest son went through with lots of surgery, you realise just how much of a gift it really is.