LOVE THAT! Two Really Cool Parents

Listen, I know it's hard to take your kids out on the town.

You never know if they'll be welcome where you're going... especially if your destination is generally thought of as for "big people." You never know what kind of rude behavior or tantrum episode they're gonna pull. You never know if they'll make a huge mess, a huge scene. It's hard.

But it's so good for them! And we need more brave moms and dads to get their kids out into this city... it'll help them fall in love with it the way we have.

So, with that, I give you this Love That post.

Last week, at the opening of the hip new East Village restaurant, Alba, I spotted two very brave parents among the young professional crowd. They looked great -- they were dressed; they were social; they were working the room... with their kids!

I just had to introduce myself. So who were they?

They were Tanya Keith, owner of Simply for Giggles (East Village and West Glen locations), and her husband, Doug Jotzke, Director of Engineering for The Baking Company. In tow were their 7-month-old son and 5-year-old daughter. The kids were having a blast, jetting from location to location, talking with adults (well, one was talking, the other was gurgling), and generally working that room just like their mom and dad. Brilliant.

Here's what Tanya had to say: "We've brought our children to grand openings, World Cup Soccer games, theater shows...all sorts of events. They're usually really well behaved, and I know it makes me feel closer to my kids and has taught  me so much about how to look at the world from different perspectives."

Love that!

Comments

[Janet]

Good for Tanya and Doug! I know taking the kids isn't always feasible, but let's face it - behavior expectations are set by the parents, and they should be set early. I have never hesitated to take my daughter anywhere, from the time she was very young, based on behavior concerns. When she was three, she accompanied me on genealogy trips to libraries and cemeteries alike, showing the proper respect for the artifacts found in each place. At age five she was assisting me with my Pampered Chef kitchen demonstrations, talking about and demonstrating her favorite products, in front of adults. Just the other night, at a funereal visitation, she received (at "awkward age" 14) a compliment from a professional woman on her firm handshake. She has functioned really well in the adult world for many years - I hope she maintains some degree of respect as we get further into the teen years! LOL I commend Tanya and Doug - It says a lot about them, as well as their kids, they are able to do trust the kids in grown-up situations.