Mother-friendly

By Anne-Marie

We all know that American society isn't truly kid-friendly even though we give a lot of lip service to being pro-child. However, I think private businesses do try to be child friendly, probably because they want mom and dad's money. But what about being mother-friendly? How do businesses serve a parent's needs?

Let me give you some examples. First, I love Nordstrom's because of their restrooms. You can nurse your child with some privacy and comfort in the women's lounge. They also have great changing tables, and a family restroom. Nordstrom's is always our first stop at the mall. Now if I could only afford to shop there.

Souper Salad has reasonably priced food, high chairs with wheels, and a wide variety of items that even your picky kid will eat. However, not one of the four Souper Salads close to us has diaper-changing facilities. You'd think when they ordered the high chairs, they'd get a few changing tables, too.

Love the "Thomas the Tank Engine" play table at Barnes & Noble. But what's with the two sets of heavy doors at the entrance? (Border's is guilty of this, too.) Have you ever tried pushing a stroller through them? Luckily, the bookstore-going public is polite and holds the doors open for you, but still it's maddening.

Cost-Co gets a thumbs up for kid-friendly food at the snack bar, great deals on diapers and wipes, a diaper changing table not in the handicap stall (the stall that is always occupied by an able-bodied person who thinks that it's the least used so it's the cleanest. Get wise girlfriend. Everyone else thinks the same and it's probably the most used stall of all.) What I really love is their doublewide shopping cart, which holds two kids in the seat. Nothing like having both your kids strapped down while conducting a mega-shopping session.

Speaking of carts, Ace Hardware's rock. They have mini-carts for the little ones and the big carts have cup holders. I just wish the store wasn't so expensive; I only go to ours for the cake decorating supplies.

Now it's your turn. What's your favorite mother-friendly place? And what's the worst one in your area?

Comments

[coach sale]

Someone who makes you laugh until you can't stop; Someone who makes you believe that there really is good in the world. Someone who convinces you that there really is an unlocked door just waiting for you to open it. This is Forever Friendship.

[Jo]

Great post! I am just now figuring out the kid-friendly, er mom-friendly places to go. I was just at a store a few weeks ago - oh, Borders in downtown Chicago, actually. NO changing table. (Don't even ask how I managed to change Liam; it was super fast and super creative). I couldn't believe it. Thumbs-down there.

As for friendly places, I have to say Target, probably. That's an all-around friendly little store. I don't do too much shopping with Liam, but I will take him to Target.

[squishybear]

oooooooooooo - I love my local Kroger store! They have a daycare for kids over 3 and my daughter loves to play while I shop. Not to mention the lady that works in the daycare is so sweet.

Joe's Crab Shack has a nice playground and decent food for the adults.

[Kim]

ANY place that has a drive through!!! :o)

[daddydaycare]

Sorry so verbose. We never stay at home. Kids are 2 1/2, 2 1/2, and 10 months.

Grand Californian: I second that! Thumbs up. We'll be back soon. Concierge level is a great bonus, but pricey. Because it is next to the park, hotel is a huge advantage for small kids. Is probably hurting sales in Disneyland Hotel and Paradise Pier. About the only place I've paid full price and felt I got my money's worth.

Target: Good carts for kids, but would be better if two toddlers could sit up front like Costco or WalMart carts. Very few WalMarts in Northern California. Parental fantasy for any grocery or consumer durables store -- double carts for two toddlers.

Nordstrom: Gets an A for the Women's Room, but a C for the Men. Changing tables, but no lounge. I bet I've spent more time in the Women's Room at Nordstrom than some women, but my wife needed help feeding the twins, and we went together. Family bathrooms are sometimes the ideal compromise, but more, more, more...

PF Changs: A. Gave us a free dessert.

Mall Retailers: Generally, not enough space for strollers, or for parents to sit with kids. Double strollers are usually out. If it's a kid store and you don't want my kids to touch, then don't expect my purchases.

Restaurants: We go to probably three a week with our herd. Pleasanton, CA Macaroni Grill; very, very, very bad. Worst ever, maybe. Unfriendly. But they have a good menu and so may be this location and not chain as a whole. Kids Mac & Cheese is really good. Chili's: Good. Chevy's: Good. Fresh Choice: Good. Red Lobster: Thumbs up! Pizza/Pasta places are usually pretty good. One restaurant that shall remain nameless put white paper under my kids high chairs. Shame on them. I made a huge mess under my seat, but left the paper spotless. (grin)

Legoland: (Carlsbad, CA) For toddlers, a must. Simply awesome.

Bonfante Gardens (Gilroy, CA): Another small kid paradise. Not as good as Legoland, but certainly very very good.

Paramount Great America (Santa Clara, CA): Very good overall. Buy a season pass and Bonfante Gardens is free.

Marine World Africa USA (Vallejo, CA): Very good overall, but food S-U-C-K-S. After your kids feed the giraffes, wash their hands they'll get sick.

Monterey Aquarium (Monterey, CA): Smallish, but very unique. Again, touch the critters, wash hands or get sick. Play area is awesome, but a disease paradise. Only one restaurant in Aquarium; go to Bubba Gumps nearby and be a tourista and bring a fat wallet.

Pier 39 (San Francisco, CA): Older kid paradise. Very touristy. Small kids will bore quickly.

[annah]

I'll start by saying hello since I am new to posting.
My children are 5 and 8 so not too much we need when going out, however I find that they LOOOOVE to eat at our local Red Lobster since they have a great kids menu that includes w/ every kids plate a drink, applesauce or veggies and ranch as well as jell-o.
The menu is awesome they go from shrimp to chicken all the way down to pasta & They have a guy there that makes Balloon figures and flowers etc! for FREE of course he expects a tip but it's a lot of fun to watch.

Our Local Save-Mart also has those really cool kid carts that are metal and everything.

Now for the worst, It has to be our MALL! They have restrooms with no changing tables, a food court with NO WHERE TO SIT! and a stroller rack to rent the strollers but they are ALL BROKEN! This has to be the worst considering it is a "mall" and you would expect more.

[ME1]

The babies 'r us has a nursing room which is wonderful, although I hate the store itself (long story involving issues with our registry, our stroller and finally a breat pump purchase).

We've found one fantastic set of service plazas on the Ohio turnpike just outside of Cleveland. They are brand new, have family restrooms (which include a changing station) and have a non smoking lounge (which is ostensibly for the truckers but we have used it for a discreet low traffic nursing area).

[lex]

Pavilion's grocery store has "Expectant Mother" parking. That was the best thing ever! Unfortunately, I'm sure some meanies take the parking that are definitely not expecting.

[Robin]

It's not nearby but StoryLand in New Hampshire has the best bathrooms!!! There is a room with big lovely rocking chairs to breast feed your child and a wonderful changing station. It's a separate place from the bathrooms so it's not stinky. I changed Lillianna there (she was 1 1/2 when we went) and I wanted to stay and rock her since it was so peaceful!!

Most places just suck. Some bathroom stalls are so damn small I can barely fit never mind drag my child in with me.
The worst thing is clothing stores. Even in an umbrella stroller which is so compact and narrow, Lillianna got hit in the face with price tags because the displays were so damn close together.
I don't find any place to be mom friendly!

[Susan]

The most kid-friendly hotel we've ever stayed in was The Grand Californian at Disneyland. If you are planning a vacation there, I HIGHLY recommend it. It really was the 'little things' that made it so great. Everyone knows about the park and the meals with giant Animals, but it was the restrooms that amazed me. They had very low sinks for the kids to wash their hands - as well stalls with low commodes. There was story time every night. Every child got a balloon at checkin. I know you're probably thinking, "What do you expect at Disneyland?" but this place really exceeded my expectations.

As for mother-friendly... There's a spa in this area that has an on-site daycare. You can get your nails done and they'll watch your child for a small hourly rate. That's my kind of spa!

[Angie]

I replied to this post, but it was too long so I put it on my blog. hehe