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savvyliterateLooking back at my last post, I realize I don't really allude to the fact in my writing that I would like a baby. Of course not right away, but within the next few years, before I turn 35 ideally. And then I feel really guilty because I want a baby.
I know that the child-free movement is growing and there are more places instituting child-free zones such as restaurants and first-class cabins on a couple of airlines. Don't get me wrong, I think some of this is a good idea. The ban on planes and in the Whole Foods instituting child-free shopping hours? Bad idea. Children should be allowed in both places regardless because, for pete's sake, it's a grocery store and an airplane is the only way my children are going to see their relatives on Mike's side of the family. Child-free restaurants and some movie showings? I'm on board with that. There's plenty of alternative options that keep everyone happy.
When we went to see Harry Potter last week, we were offered tickets at a higher rate with the guarantee that no kids would be seated near us. My mother-in-law paid for that and guess what? A family got seated right behind Icka and my mother-in-law. While Icka would argue Mike and I were the childish ones (only during the "Breaking Dawn" promo!), the kids were good. You only heard the littlest child once during the climax of the movie, and the question he asked was just adorable. But still, the theater misrepresented the seating. You have specific restaurants that are child/family-friendly such as Chuck E. Cheese, etc. Why not have the same for adults? I know the movie theater has offered showings that are just for kids.
Reading through the linked article, however, I was struck by something; When I was a child, I didn't enter a movie theater for the first time until I was 7 years old. Then, I didn't go again until I was in high school. When my family went out to eat, it was once a week or less to places such as McDonalds, Applebee's or Ryan's (buffet) that was geared toward families and even then we were ordered to be on our best behavior. I didn't go to my first "adult" restaurant until I was 14. I think a lot of issues stem from parents dragging too-young children to places meant for adults. Why the hell would you take a baby to the movies? When we went into any store with breakables, I was only allowed to look if I held my hands behind my back. To this day, I still look at breakables with my hands behind my back at times.
I flew on a plane once every three to four years to go see my grandparents. I remember behaving at ages 4, 7 and 12 on the plane. Mama said I screamed through my entire first flight when I was a year old, and you can't blame a baby for doing that. Flying can be uncomfortable enough as an adult. Imagine being an infant and not being able to communicate that your ears are or are not popping, turbulence, etc.
I would like to think that I wouldn't be one of those parents -- the ones who can't keep their children under control in public. For example, they make these adorable backpacks attached to leashes for toddlers. I saw one a couple years ago and thought it a fantastic idea. I mention it to some people and they're shocked. Why, I'm questioned, would I consider putting a child on a leash? Two reasons:
1) When I was a small child, my mom would hold my hand as we walked. I'd sometimes throw a tantrum and just sit down as she was moving, dislocating my shoulder. I did it enough times that I now have issues with it as an adult.
2) When I was in Target the other day, I walked out of the bathroom behind a man and his toddler son. The son took off, the father leisurely walking behind … then the toddler shot out the front door and into the street. The father gave chase, and by the time I walked out, the father was in the middle of the road himself with his son in his arms and spanking him for running into the street. I think had the father had one of those backpack/leash combos, the son would have his freedom but the boundaries as well.
I know that future baby Heaton won't be a pretty, pretty princess (or prince) that can do no wrong. My yet-to-be-conceived zygote will eventually be a human being, and humans make mistakes. As a very young human, he or she will need to learn right from wrong and respect. I'm not going to stop my career and all my outside interests and live solely through my child. That's a disservice to both the child and myself.
I wound up going into New York City today for a Namesake-related business meeting and ventured up to Book-Off while waiting for the traffic to clear so I could drive back. I missed this last time I was there and hit the jackpot this time around. They were having a $1 on a bunch of books so from the manga area I got 11-12 volumes of Ranma 1/2, a volume of Inuyasha, two volumes of Maison Ikkoku and a couple of the Kenshin kanzenban in Japanese.
Then I wandered upstairs to the novels. Unlike Kinokuniya, which is very kind and puts the light novels with the manga, the light novels are mixed in with regular books. I stared for about five minutes looking for a familiar spine, then by sheer luck grabbed a book with the brand logo that Slayers is published and found I was holding the second Slayers novel. I laughed and wound up getting a few of the Slayers Special novels and the first Spice and Wolf novel. Not a bad haul for $35! The most expensive part was the Kenshin kanzenban, which was $6 a volume. I'm going to gradually get it until I have that entire collection. It's so well done.
The store also had copy of what looked to be the Japanese deluxe edition of Slayers Premium for $25. I almost got it, but decided against it since I have a copy of the radio drama and the movie already. But it had really nice packaging.
I know that the child-free movement is growing and there are more places instituting child-free zones such as restaurants and first-class cabins on a couple of airlines. Don't get me wrong, I think some of this is a good idea. The ban on planes and in the Whole Foods instituting child-free shopping hours? Bad idea. Children should be allowed in both places regardless because, for pete's sake, it's a grocery store and an airplane is the only way my children are going to see their relatives on Mike's side of the family. Child-free restaurants and some movie showings? I'm on board with that. There's plenty of alternative options that keep everyone happy.
When we went to see Harry Potter last week, we were offered tickets at a higher rate with the guarantee that no kids would be seated near us. My mother-in-law paid for that and guess what? A family got seated right behind Icka and my mother-in-law. While Icka would argue Mike and I were the childish ones (only during the "Breaking Dawn" promo!), the kids were good. You only heard the littlest child once during the climax of the movie, and the question he asked was just adorable. But still, the theater misrepresented the seating. You have specific restaurants that are child/family-friendly such as Chuck E. Cheese, etc. Why not have the same for adults? I know the movie theater has offered showings that are just for kids.
Reading through the linked article, however, I was struck by something; When I was a child, I didn't enter a movie theater for the first time until I was 7 years old. Then, I didn't go again until I was in high school. When my family went out to eat, it was once a week or less to places such as McDonalds, Applebee's or Ryan's (buffet) that was geared toward families and even then we were ordered to be on our best behavior. I didn't go to my first "adult" restaurant until I was 14. I think a lot of issues stem from parents dragging too-young children to places meant for adults. Why the hell would you take a baby to the movies? When we went into any store with breakables, I was only allowed to look if I held my hands behind my back. To this day, I still look at breakables with my hands behind my back at times.
I flew on a plane once every three to four years to go see my grandparents. I remember behaving at ages 4, 7 and 12 on the plane. Mama said I screamed through my entire first flight when I was a year old, and you can't blame a baby for doing that. Flying can be uncomfortable enough as an adult. Imagine being an infant and not being able to communicate that your ears are or are not popping, turbulence, etc.
I would like to think that I wouldn't be one of those parents -- the ones who can't keep their children under control in public. For example, they make these adorable backpacks attached to leashes for toddlers. I saw one a couple years ago and thought it a fantastic idea. I mention it to some people and they're shocked. Why, I'm questioned, would I consider putting a child on a leash? Two reasons:
1) When I was a small child, my mom would hold my hand as we walked. I'd sometimes throw a tantrum and just sit down as she was moving, dislocating my shoulder. I did it enough times that I now have issues with it as an adult.
2) When I was in Target the other day, I walked out of the bathroom behind a man and his toddler son. The son took off, the father leisurely walking behind … then the toddler shot out the front door and into the street. The father gave chase, and by the time I walked out, the father was in the middle of the road himself with his son in his arms and spanking him for running into the street. I think had the father had one of those backpack/leash combos, the son would have his freedom but the boundaries as well.
I know that future baby Heaton won't be a pretty, pretty princess (or prince) that can do no wrong. My yet-to-be-conceived zygote will eventually be a human being, and humans make mistakes. As a very young human, he or she will need to learn right from wrong and respect. I'm not going to stop my career and all my outside interests and live solely through my child. That's a disservice to both the child and myself.
I wound up going into New York City today for a Namesake-related business meeting and ventured up to Book-Off while waiting for the traffic to clear so I could drive back. I missed this last time I was there and hit the jackpot this time around. They were having a $1 on a bunch of books so from the manga area I got 11-12 volumes of Ranma 1/2, a volume of Inuyasha, two volumes of Maison Ikkoku and a couple of the Kenshin kanzenban in Japanese.
Then I wandered upstairs to the novels. Unlike Kinokuniya, which is very kind and puts the light novels with the manga, the light novels are mixed in with regular books. I stared for about five minutes looking for a familiar spine, then by sheer luck grabbed a book with the brand logo that Slayers is published and found I was holding the second Slayers novel. I laughed and wound up getting a few of the Slayers Special novels and the first Spice and Wolf novel. Not a bad haul for $35! The most expensive part was the Kenshin kanzenban, which was $6 a volume. I'm going to gradually get it until I have that entire collection. It's so well done.
The store also had copy of what looked to be the Japanese deluxe edition of Slayers Premium for $25. I almost got it, but decided against it since I have a copy of the radio drama and the movie already. But it had really nice packaging.