idea of a parents and kids paradise

Posted by choppy (750 days ago)

I am a working mom of two young boys. My husband is a homedad for almost half a year, and now he is thinking of doing something on the side. We both have experienced the "frustrations" and "loneliness" of being a full-time parent, wanted to meet with people but not having much mobility because the kids are small. We always want to find a nice and cozy place where parents can meet and enjoy some drinks and snacks, while the kids can play and make new friends at the same time in a safe and clean environment. The ideal place could be someone's home, but not everyone like to have people going to their places all the time. There are different kinds of "classes" available in the market, but sometimes we just want to go to a relaxing environment with our kids, not attending some 1-hour class all the time..... so, we have come up with an idea of creating a kids club where the kids can really play, with a coffee and lounge seating area for the parents to wind down and have a nice chit chat together. We are doing the initial planning now, and would appreciate if anyone of you could tell us what you think about the location, facilities and things that should be included in this piece of paradise for the kids and parents.

You can reply to this post or send me emails to choppymandy@yahoo.com

Much appreciated!

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Posted by crj (750 days ago)

Isn't that what RumpusRooms is all about?
http://www.therumpusrooms.com/

Posted by choppy (750 days ago)

not quite, we would like to have an area just cater for parents, where they can really relax in some comfy couches and enjoy a coffee or read a magazine, and at the same time the kids are playing in an environment where they can play with Legos and/ or other toys, or do some drawings, or play some educational video games, or read some story books, etc. And also with an area for babies and toddlers with their care-takers. We would like to elaborate the idea more, so any comments are welcome.

Posted by my doggie (749 days ago)

depending on the age of the kids that you are talking about, sounds kind of dangerous. the parents will be more concerned with having a chat than making sure their child isn't eating the lego, bullying another child, falling off a toy...

just my opinion....

Posted by Louise Harris (749 days ago)

I think it's a good idea ... especially if you had a few staff to keep an eye on the kids a bit. That would enable the parents to relax a bit more. I have a six-month-old so would be reluctant to just let her loose on the toys (even tho she can sit well by herself now)so you're idea would probably be best for toddlers or older kids. We go to Rumpus Rooms once a week and really enjoy it so your idea would also appeal to us.

Posted by choppy (748 days ago)

The idea is to create different zones for different age groups - for example a zone for small babies and toddlers, where suitable toys will be provided, and care-takers will be there to look after them. The number of each section will be limited, so the staff can really look after things properly. Other zones will be set up for older kids, where they can play and make new friends. It provides an additional opportunities for them to deal with people other than that from school, and I understand the concern from my doggie, we are not encouraging the parents just to leave their kids there and then go (we are not planning to become a baby-sitting center), they are still around in case the kids need them.

Posted by mayafox (748 days ago)

This might be thinking bigger than you were planning, but I am researching the possibility of a club modeled around those in Hong Kong but with a specific emphasis on children. Somewhere that has well designed, supervised play areas (as opposed to those at many clubs in HK that are a bit of an afterthought), a swimming pool and different types of courses and activities aimed specifically at children. Adults could socialize in the same way that you would at the Football Club or the Cricket Club – through shared interests, here perhaps being your kids instead of football or cricket.

The idea would be to create a casual space that parents could take their kids every day if they wanted to. This creates a sense of community amongst children and adults that is more organic than once-a-week playdates or classes. As a child going to gym lessons at the Football Club, I found that the best friends I made were the ones who hung around and had lunch at the coffee shop afterwards, and whom I bumped into at the swimming pool the day after.

My first baby is due next month and at the moment, we live in an apartment block that has no shared facilities. I would personally love to have somewhere to bring my baby where I knew that there were other people in the same situation without having to make any formal arrangements. All the better if the place was safe and educational and fun and relaxing for all of us!

Posted by choppy (748 days ago)

Hi mayafox, thanks a lot for the post. In which location would you think is good for such thing? In other words, do you think parents mind to drive their kids to such place everyday?

Posted by mayafox (748 days ago)

Well, I am biased because I have only ever lived on HK island, so that would always get my vote. I also have a car, so would be happy to drive to the club every day.

Location is tricky because as I am sure you know, rent is the big killer in HK, and setting up a clubhouse with playgrounds and swimming pools will be a MAJOR undertaking. I would try and look at existing properties that you think may be suitable (schools or hospitals that are closing down? Or maybe even disused commercial spaces in Aberdeen or Kennedy Town)-- you can always approach property companies who own these buildings, and who may 'invest' in your business. But this is getting way ahead of ourselves -- first, you will need to do a mountain of research!

Posted by choppy (748 days ago)

oh for sure! We are not in a rush, and we want to do it right. We would rather start small and expand gradually. Thanks for the idea anyway.

Posted by my doggie (748 days ago)

i didn't think that you would want a babysitting service, but i can tell you that after years of teaching in playgroups where the parents MUST be with the children, you still get some that start chatting with friends and become completely oblivious to what their child is up to.

i just think that if you have an "area" set up for the parents that removes them even further from what's going on, you are just asking for trouble.

i have had small children climbing on tables, pulling toys down on themselves, hitting each other over toys and that's just the beginning with parents in the same smallish room!!! can't imagine what would happen if you introduced coffee, magazines etc into the situation!

by the way, i think that it's a good idea, just don't know if it will work... you'd need some very good insurance, i think!

Posted by mayafox (741 days ago)

Choppy, check out the last page of the main section of the SCMP today -- there is an article about disused heritage buildings.

Posted by choppy (741 days ago)

will have a look, thanks a lot!!