Toddler in a Bar - Make it a Fun, Educational Experience!

On Saturday night, Kirk and I went out to a bar and grill with Vivian in the downtown Pensacola historic district. The sports bar, New York Nicks, was recommended to Kirk by one of his new co-workers.

I was a bit apprehensive at first. After all, it looked like a college bar, especially on a Saturday evening. We walked in and were the ONLY people with a child in the room. Luckily though, half the room seemed drunk or too engaged into their sporting event on television to notice us.

Actually, my mind is starting to think that a sports bar is the perfect place to take a toddler to for a family outing. After all, there are forty large screen TV's at New York Nicks, for example. Therefore, the atmosphere is really loud and distracting so no one can hear your fussy child! :-)

In fact, there are several advantages to being at a bar with your kid(s). Whether you realize it or not, you're actually providing a public service to those around you, not to mention offering educational tips to your children. For example:

• Teach your child how foolish he or she will look when they become older and into the college scene.
• Show your child the correct amount of ketchup and mustard to absorb the greasy bar food and how to properly put away the other condiments.
• How a person might go deaf from listening to the television volume that loud consistently and excessively.
• How to properly pour a beer in a cold glass to minimize the foam.  WHAAT?  This is a key skill to being an adult and to doing this for grandpa as he ages!
• How to avoid getting hit-on by unwanted suitors -- just bring your family and child along with you to the scene.  Trust me, everyone avoids you like you have the plague. 
• Just by being there at a bar with your child(ren), you're most likely providing safe sex tips for those around you when they see your child misbehave and throw a tantrum.  Therefore, you're saving several foolish, drunken women and men from not being ready for parenthood.
• The waitress feels sorry for you and is extra attentive.  No more flagging down your attendant!
• Most bars are smoke-free now so you don't have to worry about exposing your children to a smoky environment.  In fact you can show your child how smokers now go outside and non-smokers stay inside, an educational cause and effect relationship. 
• Your children can watch some of the funniest, most creative commericals on television during a sporting event and you don't have to worry about them seeing a toy they want for Christmas during those segments.
• If enough people visit sports bars with their kids, it could just become the new Chuck E. Cheese. ;-)

Those are just a few instances and tips that come to my mind.  If you have other educational suggestions or experiences, please post them in the comments.  I'd love to hear more!

Back to the bar scene -- I looked around at the other patrons sitting at nearby tables.  Then I glaced back at my own table and I couldn't help but laugh. This is my life -- a thirty-something woman sitting at a bar table with her husband and toddler.  All these other folks (I'm assuming most of them are single) are watching the television screens, putting away a lot of beers, talking, laughing, etc.

Kirk and I put away a few beers but slowly and within reason. We shared a pitcher of Yuengling. We did lots of laughing too. But we were not watching the hi-def flat screens. Nor did we giggle hysterically to impress someone who just told a bad joke. Instead, we laughed at Viv who amused us while she played with the condiment packets. With mayonaise and mustard in hand, our daughter chatted away and pretended to comb her hair with these additives. (Isn't mayo good for hair and skin after all?)

While everyone around us was glued to the big TV screens, Kirk and I colored with Vivian in her new coloring book.   We fought over which crayons we wanted to use.  Looking at us and glancing at the other patrons, you might not be able to tell who was having a better time. 

Kirk and I enjoyed our bar food -- potato skins and shrimp quesadillas.  I politely asked the waitress to microwave our daughter's Gerber Graduate meal since she didn't want to eat our greasy items. (Why, I don't know!  She has no idea what she was missing!)  Our kind waitress obliged and I was able to feed Vivian a nutritious meal just as if we had been at home.

So one more time - just picture the surroundings. A bar and grill full of mostly single, twenty-something men and women. Then there is us: Kirk, Mandy and Vivian sitting in there eating and acting like we're at McDonald's or Apple Bee's restaurant.

At one point, I turned to Kirk and asked him, "Did you ever think you'd be coloring in the middle of a sports bar and grill?"

"Not really," he said "but I wouldn't trade my family for anything. I don't miss my old life now that I have Vivian and you."

Awww, I know exactly what he means. And I completely agree.

After all, I don't miss the old days of bar-hopping where this is the end result of the weekend's social interaction:

Now my end result is going home with my family.  I put my daughter to bed at her usual bedtime and read her several books.  Then I enjoy what is left of my evening with my husband. 

So believe it or not, you can still go out to a bar (and grill) with your children and have a good time. In fact, I highly encourage it.   I consider this modern day wholesome parenting. The Cosby show, but with a few beers. You may not look or feel cool sitting at a bar with your toddler but it can still be an enjoyable, family fun event for everyone.