Random Musings
I keep noticing houses on the market with those brochure boxes outside. They boxes have a sign on them that says, "FREE INFORMATION". Free? Is that really necessary? Is there any real estate firm out there that puts up brochure boxes with a sign that says, "Please insert $1 to obtain information on this house for sale."?
Apparently Starbucks instituted a 9 cent across-the-board price-hike today citing increased costs. They had a similar increase of 5 cents back in October. Do I smell trouble in java-land? A new Starbucks recently opened right next door to a local coffee shop in town, Liquid Highway. Literally all that separates the two is 50 feet and a small fence (which has an opening that you can drive through). I was recently waiting at the Liquid Highway drive-thru with about 6 other cars. There was no one in the Starbucks drive-thru. Apparently Starbucks hasn't affected Liquid Highway's business too much! In fact, Liquid Highway put a sign up on that fence that divides the two properties. It says, "You are only 50 feet away from a better cup of coffee! Jump the fence!" It's a big sign, and you see it directly from the Starbucks drive-thru. I love it!
I've seen two more Ron Paul signs around town. Let me say that these ones were much better (and less subjective) than the one I wrote about earlier. The first is a standard Presidential election sign. "Ron Paul for President 2008". Very clear. The second is a car-magnet type stating a similar Presidential campaign. Much better than the "Ron Paul Revolution" signs. Kudos to his campaign for making it more clear.
Why does it cost more for an adult to visit a children's museum than a child? As a parent, am I not just along to enjoy my children exploring something new? Perhaps there should be one parent or caregiver admitted free with each child. That would make more sense. Who would come without a kid anyway? (And frankly those that would, you might not want in your children's museum anyway!)
Apparently Starbucks instituted a 9 cent across-the-board price-hike today citing increased costs. They had a similar increase of 5 cents back in October. Do I smell trouble in java-land? A new Starbucks recently opened right next door to a local coffee shop in town, Liquid Highway. Literally all that separates the two is 50 feet and a small fence (which has an opening that you can drive through). I was recently waiting at the Liquid Highway drive-thru with about 6 other cars. There was no one in the Starbucks drive-thru. Apparently Starbucks hasn't affected Liquid Highway's business too much! In fact, Liquid Highway put a sign up on that fence that divides the two properties. It says, "You are only 50 feet away from a better cup of coffee! Jump the fence!" It's a big sign, and you see it directly from the Starbucks drive-thru. I love it!
I've seen two more Ron Paul signs around town. Let me say that these ones were much better (and less subjective) than the one I wrote about earlier. The first is a standard Presidential election sign. "Ron Paul for President 2008". Very clear. The second is a car-magnet type stating a similar Presidential campaign. Much better than the "Ron Paul Revolution" signs. Kudos to his campaign for making it more clear.
Why does it cost more for an adult to visit a children's museum than a child? As a parent, am I not just along to enjoy my children exploring something new? Perhaps there should be one parent or caregiver admitted free with each child. That would make more sense. Who would come without a kid anyway? (And frankly those that would, you might not want in your children's museum anyway!)
posted by Susan | 5:47 PM
7 Comments:
i can think of a type of adult who'd go to the children's museum without children: a child predator. i see childless adults sitting in our library's children's section all the time. i can understand them sitting there when there are no other seats to be found. but otherwise, why? it makes me really nervous and i brought it to the librarians attention. now they keep an eye out.
My husband and I (childless) both visit children's museums and amusement parks (hello, Disneyland???) frequently. Is a Discovery Center really just for children? If so then I guess you could say the Zoo is too. And the Strong Museum in Rochester, NY, maybe even the Long Beach Aquarium in California?
And we even go to the children's section in the library to get books for my employment (I work with children) and to read new children's book to consider for my students.
Really to suggest that an adult in a "children's museum" is a child predator/molester is very irresponsible. Neither my husband nor I (and countless other adults who like to re-live their youth or explore the world outside the confines of a desk form 9am - 5pm) would EVER hurt or bring harm to a child. This is your blog and you have the freedom to say what you want, but perhaps consider it a moment longer before hitting publish.
I can't speak for a Discovery Center or the Strong Museum. Haven't been there. But EdVenture is definitely just for kids. How many adults need to play in a miniature grocery store? Or build with blocks? It's not a place for adults without kids.
Disney? Well, I've been to many of their parks, many times. With and without kids. I can tell you that without kids, I didn't do much hanging around in Fantasyland on the Pooh ride. And as a parent, I didn't spend time around Tower of Terror.
Zoos and Aquariums? Are you suggesting that adults can't be interested in animals and conservation? No. But I can tell you that this adult would not hang out at our zoo's preschool playground without a child along.
it seems someone is offended by my comment. that was not my intent. i'm not suggesting that any particular person/all childless adults who congregate in children's areas are molesters. (and obviously if you are not, then i'm not talking about you.) but child predators DO exist and they DO tend to hang out at places where they can observe children. any law enforcement official will tell you this is true. as a mother, i reserve the right to pay attention and do my part to keep children safe. i don't apologize for that. also, our library already had a policy in place regarding childless adults in the children's section. but if i hadn't followed my instincts by bringing it up to those in charge, i would never have known. and now they are keeping better watch and enforcing their own policy(ies). we live in a "very nice" surburban-type neighborhood. one day i saw gang bangers in our library (who looked very young and could have appeared to be under the age of 18 to those not paying close attention). i don't think they were there to hurt the children (they appeared to be waiting on someone/something) but i reported them also.
Well - the Strong Museum has a little mini grocery store and guess what? My husband and I did browse through it, checking it out, commenting, "How fun for kids! How cool this is!" We also "played" in the white pebble sand box (alone, no kids were in it with us). And we strolled through Sesame Place. And no, again, we are not child molesters. We are both employed, well educated (Bachelors and Masters!), kind adults who enjoy fun times.
At Legoland we played and ran through the Hogwarts Jungle Gym, with another adult friend.
It's called being young at heart, not child scoping.
(Yes, there are evil people out there waiting for prey, yes as parents you must be vigilant. But also you should be careful to not describe any adult without a kid along in a traditional child environment as a criminal.)
Well, as a parent, my ultimate responsibility is the safety of my children. That means I will always be vigilant about who is around them.
My eyes are open to everyone. It doesn't matter if they are the scruffy man in the trenchcoat, the clergy in robes, the teacher, the friend, or the family member. Sadly we've seen that predators can be anyone.
It is my perogative to protect my children through any legal means that my husband and I see fit.
When you have children, it will be your perogative to protect them as you see fit.
I absolutely agree to protect your children is essential, your responsibility, etc. But that is not the point of my comments.
Cheerio!
Post a Comment
<< Home