Never realized how some things are not "parent friendly"

So I have been a mom for 5 1/2 months. (+10 if you count pregnancy) but I hafta say some things totally annoy me and I was so clueless about them before.

For example...

Places that don't have a clean or easily accessible bathroom/changing table!!!

Non fancy restaurants that don't want you to bring a stroller in!! I am carrying 500 things and a small human being, can't you just put me in a damn corner so I can eat my meal!!

Baby and Me classes that are only mid-day Monday-Friday. How about mothers that WORK!! Ever hear of having a class on Saturday or Sunday?! I am tempted to start my own baby and me class for those who are only free on the weekends!!

Never realized how some things are not

I have found the restaurants we go to to be super accommodating for our stroller so can't complain about that, but I totally agree with you on the classes. My library only has classes M-F during the day which pisses me off. We are joining a kids gym with a decent after work and Saturday/Sunday schedule soon for my almost 5 month old, but it would be nice to be able to use the free library options!

Re: Never realized how some things are not "parent friendly"

yes the class thing annoys the crap out of me that and open play times. nothing is on the weekend for working parents.

no opinion on restaurants but I will only go to ones that are really kid friendly and I have no desire to bring my stroller in when I do when they were young enough to still be in the bucket type car seat I just brought that along.
I also learned to bring the bare min. in with me. wipes, maybe one diaper goes in my bag and small snack/bottle bag

the amount of places that don't have automatic doors so opening with a stroller is a pain in the ass. I don't even know how its legal not to have them what about people who are in wheelchairs I thought they had that have them for that

I hear ya on diaper changing too. I usually just try to go to the car and change them if I can

Re: Never realized how some things are not "parent friendly"

ITA with the lack of weekend mommy and me things.

SUCH AS tennis lessons for DS. He's 4. He wants to play. Group tennis lessons are at 3:30. Private lessons are $$$ esp for a 4 year old.

WHO only works til 3PM?

70% of women nationally work!

I've told places up front that their schedules are ridiculous.

AS for the changing tables, you should see what I can do on a toilet top!

Re: Never realized how some things are not "parent friendly"

I totally agree. I remember getting annoyed bc an elevator at the mall was packed with people who were obviously perfectly healthy and I couldn't fit in their with the stroller... BTW, the escalator was about 50 feet from there too. Never before did I care about that stuff. LOL

Oh, and people speeding in a neighborhood where there's obviously kids all outside playing. I have to admit I was the teen who drove fast at one time. Now I make faces at them. LOL I live in a cul-de-sac though. There's really no need to speed.

Never realized how some things are not

I never had a problem with restaurants but we very rarely brought the stroller unless we were walking a ton. I also have been know to travel with a diaper and wipes and that's it so I might not be the best judge on that


Classes- I never worried about it cause after rushing around with work all week the last thing I wanted was a schedule.

Besides having an extra body and not being able to sit and eat at the bar I haven't found anything different about having a child.

Never realized how some things are not

I have to be honest and say that I rarely have had an issue with the stroller or changing table- I have actually been pleasantly surprised with how accommodating so many stores and resturants (casual dining and nicer places) have been. That said I can also change DD practically anywhere. I actually prefer changing her in her stroller with the seat reclined to using the changing table since she is super squirmy these days.
We go to Mommy and me swim on Saturday mornings- the place we go does not offer classes on weekdays. Have you checked local community events? Many Barnes and noble stores offer story time for kids on the weekends. Also, Toy r us is hosting a baby's first Christmas event this Saturday and next Saturday from 10-11 am.

Never realized how some things are not

Went to mall today (roosevelt field) & felt many stores are not accomodating for side/side stroller. The stores are putting more displays in middle of aisles so harder for one to walk thru. It' was not fun & will only be worse as xmas gets closer

Re: Never realized how some things are not "parent friendly"

Message edited 11/11/2014 3:48:06 PM.

Never realized how some things are not

It annoys me how few men's restrooms have baby changing stations.

Re: Never realized how some things are not "parent friendly"

I had the same problem w mommy and me groups
and then i found Fit4moms
they have classes weekdays and on saturday mornings

I do wish there was more out there- makes you feel ike no one works anymore.

I do know the local library has classes but its mostly geard for older kids.

Saftey swim has a mommy and me class as well on the weekends

Re: Never realized how some things are not "parent friendly"

Message edited 11/11/2014 4:12:43 PM.

Never realized how some things are not

in general ALL mother and me things, class things, extra stuff is NEVER EVER EVER in consideration of working mothers.. like EVER! It is by far the most FRUSTRATING THING EVER

Re: Never realized how some things are not "parent friendly"

Re: Never realized how some things are not "parent friendly"

Message edited 11/11/2014 7:54:05 PM.

Re: Never realized how some things are not "parent friendly"

YES!!!

I couldn't even shop at the Children's Place because everything was so darn tight, my small stroller couldn't even fit. It was horrendous.

And my local pizza place who does a ton of business from families and babies... they don't have a changing table in their super large bathroom. And they only have 2 highchairs and it's a large place. The families and kids are practically fighting over them.

It's truly crazy.

Re: Never realized how some things are not "parent friendly"

Those all drive me crazy too.
Nothing is available during the day, even the ped I can't get a well visit after 3 pm at all, so I always have to take time off to bring ds to the doctor. I always wish I could go to mommy & me type things but of course can't with work.. just reminds me what I miss out on! Very annoying.
The restaurant thing is such a hassle! We were going to go to a Red Robin or Outback inside a mall with friends & we had to eat at the food court instead because all the restaurants required us to leave the stroller outside-- yeah that's not happening! Who's going to watch it for me & make sure nobody walks away with it?
The changing station thing is super annoying too... I often change ds in the trunk of my car when we're out! Ugh! Also they def need to put changing stations in men's bathrooms, or at least every place should have a family bathroom!! So sexist still today!!

Never realized how some things are not

Not having changing stations and not having them in men's rooms annoys the living fluck out of me. Its one of the reasons dd gets changed standing up or on my lap and is so used to it.

Never realized how some things are not

totally agree that here on LI working moms are discriminated against. i feel like nobody freaken works on LI.
very hard to find weekend programs for kids, hard to get drs appts-- agree with all of the above!!!

Re: Never realized how some things are not "parent friendly"

I agree! I emailed the kidville in wantagh to let them know I was disappointed there were not more weekend classes. I kinda sorta felt the response was a little elitist about wanting to accommodate those able to stay home. Weekends are reserved for parties.

Check out the gym in Merrick, in the outback shopping center. My friend loved their weekend classes and offerings! Once we are settled we may check them out!

Never realized how some things are not

I have had so many of the same thoughts in this thread! My son has been changed in the tailgate of my husbands hatch back so many times!

Re: Never realized how some things are not "parent friendly"

DH works in a restaurant and is a crazy person about them having clean high chairs b/c he knows how we freak when there is who-knows-what on our kids chair in the restaurant.

Re: Never realized how some things are not "parent friendly"

Posted by Michi

Baby and Me classes that are only mid-day Monday-Friday. How about mothers that WORK!! Ever hear of having a class on Saturday or Sunday?! I am tempted to start my own baby and me class for those who are only free on the weekends!!

Re: Never realized how some things are not "parent friendly"

Posted by DaniRella

Posted by Michi

Baby and Me classes that are only mid-day Monday-Friday. How about mothers that WORK!! Ever hear of having a class on Saturday or Sunday?! I am tempted to start my own baby and me class for those who are only free on the weekends!!

Never realized how some things are not

Yes. The little gym in Merrick has good weekend classes and Evan the owner is amazing.
It's dissapointing to hear kidvilles response even though I love closer to kidville I will still take my kids to the little gym bc they are more accommodating.