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If only more shops were this forward thinking…

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baby seat, fatherhood, men's issues, dads, toddlers, babies, shopping with children
A seat for keeping babies and toddlers safe…in the men’s changing room of a shop. I also fainted when I saw it.

As a parent, I often find shopping with children to be quite a struggle. It can be harder for us dads because changing facilities and so on are often laid on for mums while those of us with XY chromosomes are forgotten about. This picture, however, proves that some retail outlets have the correct approach.

To my surprise, this seat was in the men’s fitting rooms of the Dunnes store in Cumbernauld, when I was on one of my frequent visits to Scotland (oh yeah, the mighty Cumbernauld. I know how to live). In case you haven’t figured it out, it’s a wall mounted seat for strapping a baby or toddler into so you could try on clothes in relative peace.

I don’t know about you, but I’d never see anything like this in a fitting room before. I was mightily impressed. In fact I was so stunned I had to ask Mrs Adams as to whether this was a standard feature of women’s fitting rooms. She assured me it wasn’t and was equally impressed.

Okay, I’ll admit that when I go clothes shopping I prefer to do it without the kids but life doesn’t always work out that way. If more stores were kitted out like this, it would make life so much easier for us mums and dads.

Can you think of any family friendly accessories you have stumbled across unexpectedly? What did you find and where was it? Please leave a comment below.

 

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13 thoughts on “If only more shops were this forward thinking…”

  1. I was just commenting on this same subject on a fellow Canadian dad blogger’s post so this must be a world-wide issue that we are just waking up to. After three kids, I tend not to worry too much about where I change my little one. I’ll change her on the table, in the car, on the ground but it does annoy me when I go into a restroom and they don’t have a changing table. Change is slow but the winds are shifting.

    1. Thanks for stopping by and commenting Rob. I’ve changed nappies in some crazy places too, Comes with the territory! I think this is a world-wide issue though and you can tell which countries are more enlightened than others. Although the UK isn’t perfect, I think it’s way ahead many nations, including many of our European neighbours.

  2. Hey John – not come across child seats in fitting rooms before but currently I’m very impressed with a new outdoors shop near us. Not only does it sell cool stuff, but they’ve got a great cafe with a top class double storey soft play area for the kids! AND they’re dog friendly. I’d like every shop to be like that! Always enjoy connecting with your blog via the #bigfatlinky…
    Luke

    1. Thanks Luke. We were inm France on a day trip the other day in a large mall. The food hall was circular and in the middle was a huge area for the kids to play safely. There were three kids and three adults and we managed to have a peaceful meal while the kids ran around playing. It was delightful!

  3. I’ve never see one of these in a women’s changing room. The toilets, yes. Amazing. Scotland are clearly a bit ahead of us! I find that most big shopping malls have brilliant facilities. Westfield has special kids area with TV, toys, changing area, feeding area and big toilets you can take all your kids in! The best I have come across is at a mall in Singapore. The special cubicle had a comfy bench to breastfeed and hot and cold water for milk and a think it had a microwave too! Very impressed! Thanks for sharing #bigfatlinky

    1. Ah Singapore you say? I have heard they have fantastic facilities over there. Westfield is also very good. It’s called a “family room” I believe. Thanks for stopping by and commenting.

  4. That is a brilliant idea ! I have never seen anything like it before.
    I hate taking buggies into shops because most shop layouts make it difficult to get around, but if I have baby in a sling I can never try anything on so this is genius and I hope it catches on everywhere.
    I never thought about the problems facing men needing changing facilities but you re right, most are aimed at women and often incorporate seating for breastfeeding women which could potentially make things awkward.
    The solution would be for better (cleaner) baby changing facilities aimed at both sexes, and for breastfeeding to be universally accepted as an ok thing to do in public.
    Well done to Dunns for being so thoughtful….I wonder if the idea came from a dad ?
    Thanks for the post,
    Sarah x
    #bigfatlinky

    1. You do sometimes get changing facilities laid on in men’s bathrooms, but it can never be guaranteed. This, however, was the one and only time I’ve seen a toddler seat provided in a clothes store fitting room for men and I thought it was such a simple idea that would make my life so much easier.

  5. How brilliant is this?? We definitely need all small child facilities in both the ladies and the mens. I currently wouldn’t dream of taking a small child into a changing room unless I had a buggy with me – it just wouldn’t be worth the hassle. As a result I’d never go clothes shopping and then I’d have a blow out!

    1. Yes, I was taken aback to see this in a men’s changing room. Even more so whenmy wife said sh’e never seen anythin glike it in a women’s.

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