Do we really hate kids in Britain?
Our first Children’s Commissioner Sir Al Aynsley Green believes so. About to leave office, he’s determined to go with a bang not a whimper. Sir Al has declared England ‘one of the most child-unfriendly places in the world’, citing Norway, Canada and Australia among other countries where families will feel far more welcome.
If we’re to believe Sir Al, we’d only ever book for Thailand, not Taunton. The cliché is that Thais, Italians, Spanish, Greeks all love their children – or at least other peoples’ children – far better than we do. How often have you heard someone describe the joys of a little café in an Italian square, where the waiter whips away their two-year-old, taking them into the kitchen to play with the sous chef? A few times? And how often has anyone mentioned a Cornish café to you, in particular how welcoming they were of your screaming, irritable toddler? Not often, I bet.
Cliches often contain a grain of truth, but only a grain. I don’t believe Britain is the child-shunning place it once was. (There’s plenty of examples on Takethefamily's website to prove so.) A high chair is no longer a rare piece of furniture in a restaurant. (Try asking for one in Greece.) An extra pull-down bed in your hotel room won't cost at least £20. (Although, sadly, in some places it might still cost £10.) Hotels increasingly have meals and mealtimes that cater to many generations, not just one. And at least we haven’t gone the way of the States, where there’s rampant age apartheid, with menus and museums reserved for kids only.
Travelling up and down the country with my small tribe, I've been increasingly and pleasantly surprised at how family-friendly Britain has become. So why don't we stop whining and give Britain a break?
Tuesday 9 February 2010
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While we've not taken our kids to Britain (yet) we've visited Ireland many, many times with them and have always been welcomed- and even a bit spoiled.
ReplyDeleteDone both and always found England great for kids, I certainly haven't heard them moan, I think parents need to help though by searching out the best things to do
ReplyDeleteNew visitor here - I've lived in the States for 20 years and think they are definitely more into their children than in the UK. Having said that, it sometimes goes too far in the other direction, with many social occasions being geared to children. Dinner invitations often come for 6pm or 7pm and end at 9pm, and kids are invited. If I have a party I have to make it perfectly clear (on the invitation) that it's adults only, and I still get calls from people who can't get a babysitter and want to know if they can bring the kids.
ReplyDeleteEverything in moderation I say.
Bravo, I applaud your post. London is possibly the most daunting place in Britain to travel to as a family. However there are hotels with great family rooms, shows such as The Lion King, Wicked and We Will Rock you, attractions such as The London Eye and as many museums as you choose to visit. My kids love the place and we love taking them.
ReplyDeleteIn the UK, "Child friendly", simply means that they "tolerate" children, not that they like them. It is a huge difference. Having a high chair available or an extra bed does not mean the establishment likes your child, in fact, often this is not the case. You mentioned Greece. You may be right and there may be no highchair or extra bed, but you feel the genuine love they have of children. They are happy to hold your baby or let your toddler wander around the resturant and have your children share your bed--things that would never be tolerated in the UK! And to Jody, Ireland is a whole different world than England in regard to children and a lot of other things, as well. I love England, I love London, and yes, there are loads of things for children to do, but make not mistake about it, there is no love of children here!
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure I agree, having been in france for a while, I now know how it really feels to be in a child unfriendly place - I just think the english are a little undemonstrative, but I've found lots of quiet kindnesses
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