Today L and I went out on the bus and train into the city as K was off for a day with her grandparents. When K was a baby I used to go out a lot as she would (eventually) fall asleep in the pram so I could go out all day if I wanted. This time round, K is still having an afternoon sleep and its often too much hassle to get two kids ready to go out on a bus and train for just an hour or so, therefore I don’t do it very often.
I forgot just what its like to go into the city with the pram and how unaccommodating some people and shops are, not to mention cafe’s! It wasn’t all bad though, the bus driver put his bus ramp down for us as we climbed aboard this morning which made that part of the trip easier.
I just wish someone would start up a chain of pram friendly cafe’s. Many of the coffee houses have a system where you order at the counter and then wait until your name or number is called out and come up and collect your order. This is really hard to do with a pram, not only do you not want to leave your child unattended but your purse and anything else attached to the pram. This morning I went into one such cafe thinking it had table service but discovered it did not. My plan was to sit at the table right next to where the orders are called out but as I made my way towards the seat someone sat there instead. Luckily there was another seat not too far away but really this sort of cafe is not for me at this point.
Space is the other problem you have with a pram. Most shops have reasonable isle space but then they go and plonk a pile of boxes or a ladder or trolley right along the edges so I often turn down an isle, only to have to back out or try to turn around to get anywhere. Space problems exist in cafe’s and restaurants too. Not many are designed for a pram unless you want to sit outside in the heat (with your baby). If only someone would design one with pram space in mind!
People also seem to be blissfully unaware of the pram. To them its invisible, they stand right in front of it and expect you to find your way around them (when they could move in one little step) or they look at you as if you are really just annoying them.
Don’t get me wrong, I did enjoy the day out but I’m looking forward to the day when I can go pram-less and even stroller-less. I’m guessing those who have wheelchairs or walking frames have a similar problem, space, invisibility and inconvenience. I hope I don’t forget what its like when I am at that non pram stage myself.
