Plea for Help With One Changing Role of Dads
Why are there no baby changing stations in men’s restrooms? A year ago, when I asked at a Koo Koo Roo, I was told, “We’ll look into it.” Never happened, at least not at the four I have been to.
Coco’s in Woodland Hills installed one in the women’s restroom last year but hasn’t put one in the men’s room. The Nikko Hotel, with its opulent men’s room, doesn’t have one. But if you ask one of the staff they’ll let you use the locker room. Don’t these otherwise enjoyable places to take kids understand that parents, including fathers, have a need to change their babies and young children?
My first public diaper changing experience was pretty distressing. I was at the coffee shop at the Carriage Inn in Sherman Oaks with my 1-month-old daughter, her first time out. Quietly sucking on a pacifier, propped up in her portable seat, she seemed to be enjoying her outing with her barely broken-in dad. Then my olfactory sense became aware of an unwelcome change in the air.
I picked her up, grabbed the diaper bag and approached a waitress to ask where I could change my daughter. “Go into the back room,” she advised “It’s empty now.” I followed her directions and headed for the deserted back bar.
“What are you doing?” a male voice politely inquired. I explained I was about to change my daughter on a table and had a clean pad to lay her down on. “Not here you can’t. Why don’t you go into the restroom?”
The men’s room contained a single sink with little counter space on either side and a not especially clean floor. Now where was I going to change my daughter? I went back out and explained my dilemma.
“Why don’t you have one of the waitresses change her for you?” he suggested. What? Have some stranger take my new daughter away from my line of sight? He obviously had no idea how offensive I found his suggestion. I felt humiliated, second class.
That was nearly two years ago. My wife is now expecting our second child. At the rate my daughter is developing, we’ll probably miss having to change two children. But, regardless of how many children we have, fathers will continue to require a proper place to change infants.
The simplest solution is for restaurants to install folding changing stations. When I see a restaurant or business with one of these, I know they truly care. Several department stores, Marie Callender’s, Price Costco and Fedco have them. These convenient contraptions can be installed on almost any free wall space, fold up when not in use and cost less than $200.
I really want to be understanding about all this. Fathers as a group didn’t used to take on as many of the responsibilities for their offspring as they do now. Nor did so many restaurants cater to families.
Times have changed. If eating establishments can provide highchairs, balloons, coloring kits and special kids’ menus and pricing, can’t they take the next logical step?