KIDS FREE ZONES

Leave the Kids Alone !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think we are unnecessarily giving too much importance to the issue of Kids Free Zones.(TOI-Sept,2008)
It seems to be a debateless issue,as both the arguments sound logical!
Being from the army,the concept of kids free zones or parties without children,is nothing new to me.
Kids are not permitted in the army messes during official and regimental functions and in certain messes not permitted in the main complex,at all.Swimming pools ,gyms and other game courts of most clubs have separate timings for kids and adults.
We seem to be over-reacting to the presence of kids and getting into an avoidable debate.

I fully understand the sanctity of official meetings,of the need of undisturbed environment for unwinding and the importance for solitude,during special occasions like a Candle light dinner on a table for two!
At the same time partying without kids,for most of us would really not be fun.Its a pleasure not only spending an evening out with your kids,but just seeing kids around.

The restaurants,resorts,or hotels which are considering this ideas,are as it is the ones where there are always more than one rooms , halls,enclosures or even gardens.People seeking privacy or distance from kids,can be easily be entertained in these areas,without disturbing the existing normal, free for all age set-up.In stead of creating kid free zones,and increasing the problems of parents of nuclear families with small kids,one should create all kids zones,or crèches where the kids are provided the same facilities as the adults,and even help to look after them,within the campus of the restaurant,hotel or club.This would also provide the kids some company and an opportunity to mingle with other kids of their age.

With most kids becoming too choosy as it is as to where they are being taken and with whom,and getting out of the habit of tagging along with parents,I think we should let things be as they are,with just a little more attention to cater to needs of solitude seekers for personal or official purposes

Dr Sanjay Kapoor