Playtime for parents

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After laboring all week and taking care of the kids in the evening, it can be easy to forget about me-time. Setting aside precious moments to socialize and maintain friendships can get lost in the whirlwind. 

So, where do people go when adult company is the goal but the kids must tag along? 

Since the smoking ban in bars and restaurants, it’s much easier to bring children out for an (early) night on the town or a bite to eat than ever. Ample space, highchairs, outdoor seating and a child-friendly staff and culture are just a few of the qualities to look for in an appropriate child/adult hangout. 

Some adult-oriented cultural events are also O.K. for kids. Esther Lomas-Fampedero, Riverdalian and Spanish professor at Fordham University, has been bringing her sons with her to her husband’s jazz concerts and gigs around the city since they were young. Now 6 and 9 years old, the boys have developed a taste and love for jazz and classical music, she said. 

“I think the fact that they have been exposed to situations where they had to behave has helped them to learn. Because they have been going to concerts, it makes it easier [for] them to understand; they dress up when [they] go to concert. They know what kind of behavior is expected from them,” Mrs. Lomas-Fampedero said.

Concerts, galleries or museums can also give parents the freedom to be grownups while passing on an appreciation for what they love. 

Outdoor activities can range from baseball games, trips to gardens and park picnics. While adults sit and mingle over a bottle of wine and plates of cheese, children can roam free and munwch on finger foods. 

Riverdalian Linda Manning, a writer and performer, said she brings her daughters, ages 10 and 13, with her to museums and restaurants instead of getting a babysitter.  

“It is important that kids see their parents fully alive in their own lives. That’s why you bring them along. It’s good for them to see what you enjoy and hope that they get the tiniest kernel out of it,” Mrs. Manning said.

 

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