Why I bring my baby with me… Everywhere

This is your reminder that people are entitled to not have children, but not to live in a world without children.

Have you noticed? —That unspoken divide between people with kids and people without? That unspoken stigma against toddlers, kids, or families in general, in any public spaces.

You only have to scroll through Reddit to see all the negative comments, “Do you have to bring your kids everywhere?!” they complain…

I remember being a young adult, wondering if I should change my behavior or language in the presence of a child– but honestly it didn’t happen much. And as a parent, a young parent I notice it even more!

The “family friendly” places and spaces are often on the complete opposite side of town from the hip, lively neighborhoods of where young adults and childless families hang out.

Sure, I understand. But I don’t agree.

Which is why I started bringing my baby with me, everywhere.

I bring my baby everywhere because I want her to feel comfortable in all sorts of situations as she grows. But also because I don’t want to stop enjoying the things and spaces I love just because I pushed a small being out of my vagina.

I want to enjoy going to cafes, and bookstores, weddings and parties … and I want to enjoy them with her.

But its not all a selfish matter, to be honest, I believe it is a disservice to her development to only keep her in “Kid friendly” zones.

Research shows how, while babies might not remember some of their earliest experiences, those experiences are still forming who they are.

Every new environment you expose them to–as long as their primary care-giver remains consistent and in tune with their needs–permanently expands their comfort zone.

Look, I am not saying I don’t take my baby to indoor playgrounds, and the children’s museum, I’m saying it’s not the only place I’m going to expose her to.

But I also understand the hesitation of many new moms. They might not want to disrupt the social norm and bring our baby to that cute quiet café on Broadway, or that lively Mexican restaurant on the hill… but I am here to encourage you to, as Nike says, “JUST DO TI!”.

If we let strangers opinions get in the way too much, we end up waiting far too long to expose our little ones to these more public spaces, and by the time they are “old enough”, they might not have the experience or exposure they need to act appropriately.

The secrete to teaching our kids how to act in public, is to bring them into public spaces. Otherwise you end up fulfilling the stereotypes of bringing that obnoxious, annoying toddler. Besides the more you do it, the more comfortable you will become as well.