I didn't come to an art museum to watch you nurse a toddler

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am wondering why people take toddlers to places like art galleries. Seriously. Are you having a nice time enjoying the art while keeping up with a toddler? Why not go on your own or with friends instead of bringing a toddler who nurses on demand if you want to see the art?

Why are childless people posting on a parenting topic?

I have teenagers. When they were toddlers we had a membership to the children's museum and the local pools, went to the beach (we had moved out of DC), public library, aquariums and did all sorts of stuff. Once they were old enough (still young but not toddlers), we went to "real" museums where it was appropriate for them to be and that they could enjoy. I recall a few "dates" that DH and I went on to art museums during that time--we would see an exhibit we were interested in and have a nice lunch at the museum cafe/restaurant while the kids stayed with a sitter. That time in our family's life also involved eating at home more or packing picnics, and when we dined out, we went to family-friendly places. We worked around naps and didn't just drag the kids around anywhere and everywhere. It is not that hard to do things that are logistically appropriate for both the kid and the general public.

Sounds like a skill issue. The rest of us have figured how to enjoy art museums with our kids.

LOL my post was about the kid and the general public enjoying the art museum, too. Millennial parents are exhausting. The framework of prioritizing your own enjoyment at all times is creating a tough world to live in, IMO.

If seeing (or hearing) a child eat makes your world a tough place to live in, I’m sorry for you, but it’s a choice you’re making for yourself. No one can coddle you to the degree you never ever encounter annoying sounds in public, and you can teach yourself not to stare.

I am not the OP. I was the one who said it isn't a great idea take toddlers to art museums. I don't think there needs to be a law about it, but when I had toddlers, I was mindful about what they enjoyed as well as the impact their presence had on others. I generally have zero issues with mothers breastfeeding in public, but there is a time and a place for toddlers. For example, I don't think you take a toddler to a nice restaurant at night for dinner, regardless of your breastfeeding plans while there. Parenting is a long journey and there are many phases. You don't have to just keep powering through and doing what YOU want to do the entire time. You can take into account what works for your child, the environment, and all sorts of things. Unfortunately, this way of life seems to be dying (as evidenced by your response)....

But….but they don’t want having kids to change their lives!!! They might lose their identity!

I agree that parents should take their kids to family friendly destinations, but a museum is a perfect example of a family friendly destination. It's a destination that offers things like free coloring pages to help small children engage with the art.

I went to so many more museums when I had children than I did before they came along, because they're such a great place for children.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am wondering why people take toddlers to places like art galleries. Seriously. Are you having a nice time enjoying the art while keeping up with a toddler? Why not go on your own or with friends instead of bringing a toddler who nurses on demand if you want to see the art?

Why are childless people posting on a parenting topic?

I have teenagers. When they were toddlers we had a membership to the children's museum and the local pools, went to the beach (we had moved out of DC), public library, aquariums and did all sorts of stuff. Once they were old enough (still young but not toddlers), we went to "real" museums where it was appropriate for them to be and that they could enjoy. I recall a few "dates" that DH and I went on to art museums during that time--we would see an exhibit we were interested in and have a nice lunch at the museum cafe/restaurant while the kids stayed with a sitter. That time in our family's life also involved eating at home more or packing picnics, and when we dined out, we went to family-friendly places. We worked around naps and didn't just drag the kids around anywhere and everywhere. It is not that hard to do things that are logistically appropriate for both the kid and the general public.

Sounds like a skill issue. The rest of us have figured how to enjoy art museums with our kids.

LOL my post was about the kid and the general public enjoying the art museum, too. Millennial parents are exhausting. The framework of prioritizing your own enjoyment at all times is creating a tough world to live in, IMO.

If seeing (or hearing) a child eat makes your world a tough place to live in, I’m sorry for you, but it’s a choice you’re making for yourself. No one can coddle you to the degree you never ever encounter annoying sounds in public, and you can teach yourself not to stare.

I am not the OP. I was the one who said it isn't a great idea take toddlers to art museums. I don't think there needs to be a law about it, but when I had toddlers, I was mindful about what they enjoyed as well as the impact their presence had on others. I generally have zero issues with mothers breastfeeding in public, but there is a time and a place for toddlers. For example, I don't think you take a toddler to a nice restaurant at night for dinner, regardless of your breastfeeding plans while there. Parenting is a long journey and there are many phases. You don't have to just keep powering through and doing what YOU want to do the entire time. You can take into account what works for your child, the environment, and all sorts of things. Unfortunately, this way of life seems to be dying (as evidenced by your response)....

There’s nothing wrong with this, but the “impact” on OP was entirely OP’s choice. She chose to stare/stay in the room to hear whatever amount of noise bothered her.

If the sounds of eating bothered her there’s no way the sounds of crying would have been ok— but I don’t think it’s reasonable never to take a child that might cry into an art gallery. And if it’s breasts that bother OP then, again, art museum isn’t the place for her.

Crying, running, making noise, generally disrupting--toddlers are known for all this stuff. It's ok to limit where they go to places where this stuff is NBD. You and they will survive.

None of this happened. A woman sat on a bench and her child said a word and made a sound that upset OP. That’s the “impact” she needs to be protected from?

Some posters just really like to fabricate wild narratives to debate. They are disconnected from reality.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am wondering why people take toddlers to places like art galleries. Seriously. Are you having a nice time enjoying the art while keeping up with a toddler? Why not go on your own or with friends instead of bringing a toddler who nurses on demand if you want to see the art?

Why are childless people posting on a parenting topic?

I have teenagers. When they were toddlers we had a membership to the children's museum and the local pools, went to the beach (we had moved out of DC), public library, aquariums and did all sorts of stuff. Once they were old enough (still young but not toddlers), we went to "real" museums where it was appropriate for them to be and that they could enjoy. I recall a few "dates" that DH and I went on to art museums during that time--we would see an exhibit we were interested in and have a nice lunch at the museum cafe/restaurant while the kids stayed with a sitter. That time in our family's life also involved eating at home more or packing picnics, and when we dined out, we went to family-friendly places. We worked around naps and didn't just drag the kids around anywhere and everywhere. It is not that hard to do things that are logistically appropriate for both the kid and the general public.

Sounds like a skill issue. The rest of us have figured how to enjoy art museums with our kids.

LOL my post was about the kid and the general public enjoying the art museum, too. Millennial parents are exhausting. The framework of prioritizing your own enjoyment at all times is creating a tough world to live in, IMO.

If seeing (or hearing) a child eat makes your world a tough place to live in, I’m sorry for you, but it’s a choice you’re making for yourself. No one can coddle you to the degree you never ever encounter annoying sounds in public, and you can teach yourself not to stare.

I am not the OP. I was the one who said it isn't a great idea take toddlers to art museums. I don't think there needs to be a law about it, but when I had toddlers, I was mindful about what they enjoyed as well as the impact their presence had on others. I generally have zero issues with mothers breastfeeding in public, but there is a time and a place for toddlers. For example, I don't think you take a toddler to a nice restaurant at night for dinner, regardless of your breastfeeding plans while there. Parenting is a long journey and there are many phases. You don't have to just keep powering through and doing what YOU want to do the entire time. You can take into account what works for your child, the environment, and all sorts of things. Unfortunately, this way of life seems to be dying (as evidenced by your response)....

But….but they don’t want having kids to change their lives!!! They might lose their identity!

I agree that parents should take their kids to family friendly destinations, but a museum is a perfect example of a family friendly destination. It's a destination that offers things like free coloring pages to help small children engage with the art.

I went to so many more museums when I had children than I did before they came along, because they're such a great place for children.

+1

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am wondering why people take toddlers to places like art galleries. Seriously. Are you having a nice time enjoying the art while keeping up with a toddler? Why not go on your own or with friends instead of bringing a toddler who nurses on demand if you want to see the art?

Why are childless people posting on a parenting topic?

I have teenagers. When they were toddlers we had a membership to the children's museum and the local pools, went to the beach (we had moved out of DC), public library, aquariums and did all sorts of stuff. Once they were old enough (still young but not toddlers), we went to "real" museums where it was appropriate for them to be and that they could enjoy. I recall a few "dates" that DH and I went on to art museums during that time--we would see an exhibit we were interested in and have a nice lunch at the museum cafe/restaurant while the kids stayed with a sitter. That time in our family's life also involved eating at home more or packing picnics, and when we dined out, we went to family-friendly places. We worked around naps and didn't just drag the kids around anywhere and everywhere. It is not that hard to do things that are logistically appropriate for both the kid and the general public.

Sounds like a skill issue. The rest of us have figured how to enjoy art museums with our kids.

LOL my post was about the kid and the general public enjoying the art museum, too. Millennial parents are exhausting. The framework of prioritizing your own enjoyment at all times is creating a tough world to live in, IMO.

If seeing (or hearing) a child eat makes your world a tough place to live in, I’m sorry for you, but it’s a choice you’re making for yourself. No one can coddle you to the degree you never ever encounter annoying sounds in public, and you can teach yourself not to stare.

I am not the OP. I was the one who said it isn't a great idea take toddlers to art museums. I don't think there needs to be a law about it, but when I had toddlers, I was mindful about what they enjoyed as well as the impact their presence had on others. I generally have zero issues with mothers breastfeeding in public, but there is a time and a place for toddlers. For example, I don't think you take a toddler to a nice restaurant at night for dinner, regardless of your breastfeeding plans while there. Parenting is a long journey and there are many phases. You don't have to just keep powering through and doing what YOU want to do the entire time. You can take into account what works for your child, the environment, and all sorts of things. Unfortunately, this way of life seems to be dying (as evidenced by your response)....

There’s nothing wrong with this, but the “impact” on OP was entirely OP’s choice. She chose to stare/stay in the room to hear whatever amount of noise bothered her.

If the sounds of eating bothered her there’s no way the sounds of crying would have been ok— but I don’t think it’s reasonable never to take a child that might cry into an art gallery. And if it’s breasts that bother OP then, again, art museum isn’t the place for her.

Crying, running, making noise, generally disrupting--toddlers are known for all this stuff. It's ok to limit where they go to places where this stuff is NBD. You and they will survive.

None of this happened. A woman sat on a bench and her child said a word and made a sound that upset OP. That’s the “impact” she needs to be protected from?

I am the one who thinks you shouldn't take toddlers to art galleries. They are generally high risk for being disruptive. I support public breastfeeding, but, yes, listening to a toddler whine and then the mom loudly breastfeed him while others were in the gallery sounds like something I would rather avoid. It's really just about what you think you owe others in public. I clearly have a different idea of what that is. I will take my Gen X ideas about comportment and move on from this thread.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am wondering why people take toddlers to places like art galleries. Seriously. Are you having a nice time enjoying the art while keeping up with a toddler? Why not go on your own or with friends instead of bringing a toddler who nurses on demand if you want to see the art?

Why are childless people posting on a parenting topic?

I have teenagers. When they were toddlers we had a membership to the children's museum and the local pools, went to the beach (we had moved out of DC), public library, aquariums and did all sorts of stuff. Once they were old enough (still young but not toddlers), we went to "real" museums where it was appropriate for them to be and that they could enjoy. I recall a few "dates" that DH and I went on to art museums during that time--we would see an exhibit we were interested in and have a nice lunch at the museum cafe/restaurant while the kids stayed with a sitter. That time in our family's life also involved eating at home more or packing picnics, and when we dined out, we went to family-friendly places. We worked around naps and didn't just drag the kids around anywhere and everywhere. It is not that hard to do things that are logistically appropriate for both the kid and the general public.

Sounds like a skill issue. The rest of us have figured how to enjoy art museums with our kids.

LOL my post was about the kid and the general public enjoying the art museum, too. Millennial parents are exhausting. The framework of prioritizing your own enjoyment at all times is creating a tough world to live in, IMO.

If seeing (or hearing) a child eat makes your world a tough place to live in, I’m sorry for you, but it’s a choice you’re making for yourself. No one can coddle you to the degree you never ever encounter annoying sounds in public, and you can teach yourself not to stare.

I am not the OP. I was the one who said it isn't a great idea take toddlers to art museums. I don't think there needs to be a law about it, but when I had toddlers, I was mindful about what they enjoyed as well as the impact their presence had on others. I generally have zero issues with mothers breastfeeding in public, but there is a time and a place for toddlers. For example, I don't think you take a toddler to a nice restaurant at night for dinner, regardless of your breastfeeding plans while there. Parenting is a long journey and there are many phases. You don't have to just keep powering through and doing what YOU want to do the entire time. You can take into account what works for your child, the environment, and all sorts of things. Unfortunately, this way of life seems to be dying (as evidenced by your response)....

But….but they don’t want having kids to change their lives!!! They might lose their identity!

I agree that parents should take their kids to family friendly destinations, but a museum is a perfect example of a family friendly destination. It's a destination that offers things like free coloring pages to help small children engage with the art.

I went to so many more museums when I had children than I did before they came along, because they're such a great place for children.

+1

Small children, yes. Toddlers, not so much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am wondering why people take toddlers to places like art galleries. Seriously. Are you having a nice time enjoying the art while keeping up with a toddler? Why not go on your own or with friends instead of bringing a toddler who nurses on demand if you want to see the art?

Why are childless people posting on a parenting topic?

I have teenagers. When they were toddlers we had a membership to the children's museum and the local pools, went to the beach (we had moved out of DC), public library, aquariums and did all sorts of stuff. Once they were old enough (still young but not toddlers), we went to "real" museums where it was appropriate for them to be and that they could enjoy. I recall a few "dates" that DH and I went on to art museums during that time--we would see an exhibit we were interested in and have a nice lunch at the museum cafe/restaurant while the kids stayed with a sitter. That time in our family's life also involved eating at home more or packing picnics, and when we dined out, we went to family-friendly places. We worked around naps and didn't just drag the kids around anywhere and everywhere. It is not that hard to do things that are logistically appropriate for both the kid and the general public.

Sounds like a skill issue. The rest of us have figured how to enjoy art museums with our kids.

LOL my post was about the kid and the general public enjoying the art museum, too. Millennial parents are exhausting. The framework of prioritizing your own enjoyment at all times is creating a tough world to live in, IMO.

If seeing (or hearing) a child eat makes your world a tough place to live in, I’m sorry for you, but it’s a choice you’re making for yourself. No one can coddle you to the degree you never ever encounter annoying sounds in public, and you can teach yourself not to stare.

I am not the OP. I was the one who said it isn't a great idea take toddlers to art museums. I don't think there needs to be a law about it, but when I had toddlers, I was mindful about what they enjoyed as well as the impact their presence had on others. I generally have zero issues with mothers breastfeeding in public, but there is a time and a place for toddlers. For example, I don't think you take a toddler to a nice restaurant at night for dinner, regardless of your breastfeeding plans while there. Parenting is a long journey and there are many phases. You don't have to just keep powering through and doing what YOU want to do the entire time. You can take into account what works for your child, the environment, and all sorts of things. Unfortunately, this way of life seems to be dying (as evidenced by your response)....

There’s nothing wrong with this, but the “impact” on OP was entirely OP’s choice. She chose to stare/stay in the room to hear whatever amount of noise bothered her.

If the sounds of eating bothered her there’s no way the sounds of crying would have been ok— but I don’t think it’s reasonable never to take a child that might cry into an art gallery. And if it’s breasts that bother OP then, again, art museum isn’t the place for her.

Crying, running, making noise, generally disrupting--toddlers are known for all this stuff. It's ok to limit where they go to places where this stuff is NBD. You and they will survive.

None of this happened. A woman sat on a bench and her child said a word and made a sound that upset OP. That’s the “impact” she needs to be protected from?

I am the one who thinks you shouldn't take toddlers to art galleries. They are generally high risk for being disruptive. I support public breastfeeding, but, yes, listening to a toddler whine and then the mom loudly breastfeed him while others were in the gallery sounds like something I would rather avoid. It's really just about what you think you owe others in public. I clearly have a different idea of what that is. I will take my Gen X ideas about comportment and move on from this thread.

How loudly could this child possibly have breastfed?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am wondering why people take toddlers to places like art galleries. Seriously. Are you having a nice time enjoying the art while keeping up with a toddler? Why not go on your own or with friends instead of bringing a toddler who nurses on demand if you want to see the art?

Why are childless people posting on a parenting topic?

I have teenagers. When they were toddlers we had a membership to the children's museum and the local pools, went to the beach (we had moved out of DC), public library, aquariums and did all sorts of stuff. Once they were old enough (still young but not toddlers), we went to "real" museums where it was appropriate for them to be and that they could enjoy. I recall a few "dates" that DH and I went on to art museums during that time--we would see an exhibit we were interested in and have a nice lunch at the museum cafe/restaurant while the kids stayed with a sitter. That time in our family's life also involved eating at home more or packing picnics, and when we dined out, we went to family-friendly places. We worked around naps and didn't just drag the kids around anywhere and everywhere. It is not that hard to do things that are logistically appropriate for both the kid and the general public.

Sounds like a skill issue. The rest of us have figured how to enjoy art museums with our kids.

LOL my post was about the kid and the general public enjoying the art museum, too. Millennial parents are exhausting. The framework of prioritizing your own enjoyment at all times is creating a tough world to live in, IMO.

If seeing (or hearing) a child eat makes your world a tough place to live in, I’m sorry for you, but it’s a choice you’re making for yourself. No one can coddle you to the degree you never ever encounter annoying sounds in public, and you can teach yourself not to stare.

I am not the OP. I was the one who said it isn't a great idea take toddlers to art museums. I don't think there needs to be a law about it, but when I had toddlers, I was mindful about what they enjoyed as well as the impact their presence had on others. I generally have zero issues with mothers breastfeeding in public, but there is a time and a place for toddlers. For example, I don't think you take a toddler to a nice restaurant at night for dinner, regardless of your breastfeeding plans while there. Parenting is a long journey and there are many phases. You don't have to just keep powering through and doing what YOU want to do the entire time. You can take into account what works for your child, the environment, and all sorts of things. Unfortunately, this way of life seems to be dying (as evidenced by your response)....

There’s nothing wrong with this, but the “impact” on OP was entirely OP’s choice. She chose to stare/stay in the room to hear whatever amount of noise bothered her.

If the sounds of eating bothered her there’s no way the sounds of crying would have been ok— but I don’t think it’s reasonable never to take a child that might cry into an art gallery. And if it’s breasts that bother OP then, again, art museum isn’t the place for her.

Crying, running, making noise, generally disrupting--toddlers are known for all this stuff. It's ok to limit where they go to places where this stuff is NBD. You and they will survive.

None of this happened. A woman sat on a bench and her child said a word and made a sound that upset OP. That’s the “impact” she needs to be protected from?

I am the one who thinks you shouldn't take toddlers to art galleries. They are generally high risk for being disruptive. I support public breastfeeding, but, yes, listening to a toddler whine and then the mom loudly breastfeed him while others were in the gallery sounds like something I would rather avoid. It's really just about what you think you owe others in public. I clearly have a different idea of what that is. I will take my Gen X ideas about comportment and move on from this thread.

You should just avoid people in general if you are so miserable by the presence of others.

GenX who thinks you’re batsht.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am wondering why people take toddlers to places like art galleries. Seriously. Are you having a nice time enjoying the art while keeping up with a toddler? Why not go on your own or with friends instead of bringing a toddler who nurses on demand if you want to see the art?

Why are childless people posting on a parenting topic?

I have teenagers. When they were toddlers we had a membership to the children's museum and the local pools, went to the beach (we had moved out of DC), public library, aquariums and did all sorts of stuff. Once they were old enough (still young but not toddlers), we went to "real" museums where it was appropriate for them to be and that they could enjoy. I recall a few "dates" that DH and I went on to art museums during that time--we would see an exhibit we were interested in and have a nice lunch at the museum cafe/restaurant while the kids stayed with a sitter. That time in our family's life also involved eating at home more or packing picnics, and when we dined out, we went to family-friendly places. We worked around naps and didn't just drag the kids around anywhere and everywhere. It is not that hard to do things that are logistically appropriate for both the kid and the general public.

Sounds like a skill issue. The rest of us have figured how to enjoy art museums with our kids.

LOL my post was about the kid and the general public enjoying the art museum, too. Millennial parents are exhausting. The framework of prioritizing your own enjoyment at all times is creating a tough world to live in, IMO.

If seeing (or hearing) a child eat makes your world a tough place to live in, I’m sorry for you, but it’s a choice you’re making for yourself. No one can coddle you to the degree you never ever encounter annoying sounds in public, and you can teach yourself not to stare.

I am not the OP. I was the one who said it isn't a great idea take toddlers to art museums. I don't think there needs to be a law about it, but when I had toddlers, I was mindful about what they enjoyed as well as the impact their presence had on others. I generally have zero issues with mothers breastfeeding in public, but there is a time and a place for toddlers. For example, I don't think you take a toddler to a nice restaurant at night for dinner, regardless of your breastfeeding plans while there. Parenting is a long journey and there are many phases. You don't have to just keep powering through and doing what YOU want to do the entire time. You can take into account what works for your child, the environment, and all sorts of things. Unfortunately, this way of life seems to be dying (as evidenced by your response)....

But….but they don’t want having kids to change their lives!!! They might lose their identity!

I agree that parents should take their kids to family friendly destinations, but a museum is a perfect example of a family friendly destination. It's a destination that offers things like free coloring pages to help small children engage with the art.

I went to so many more museums when I had children than I did before they came along, because they're such a great place for children.

+1

Small children, yes. Toddlers, not so much.

They can be great for toddlers too.

[Anonymous]

So you and your kids can generally go wherever you want and act however you want. You can take whiny kids out, breastfeed toddlers on demand wherever they demand it, use your phone on speaker, fart in public, have heavy make outs with your partner wherever you like, spit on the street, and so on. It's a free country.

Some people will find your behavior rude. You can keep going and behaving any way you like, but you don't get to decide that people should not find it rude.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That's uncool. I have no problem whatsoever with women nursing infants but a verbal toddler is old enough to be told, "no eating in an art gallery" or "wait for milk until later". It's entirely different than nursing an infant.

This. No food or drink in an art gallery. That includes BOOB, imo.

The law says differently.

Yes, the law says that for an infant who needs its mother’s milk to survive. A walking toddler who has teeth and eats solid food is a different story. The toddler needs to have ‘boob’ somewhere other than in an art gallery, just like the rest of us!

Can you link to the text of the law that says it's only for infants?

The DC law that seems relevant specifically uses the word "child". If they had meant "infants" they could have used that term.

(c)(1) A woman shall have the right to breastfeed her child in any location, public or private, where she has the right to be with her child, without respect to whether the mother’s breast or any part of it is uncovered during or incidental to the breastfeeding of her child.


https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/2-1402.82.html

Ok then go ahead and take your shirt off and breastfeed your 7 year old in the National Gallery!

Yep, these entitled people are just too much. Enjoy breastfeeding your child of whatever age in any public location

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am wondering why people take toddlers to places like art galleries. Seriously. Are you having a nice time enjoying the art while keeping up with a toddler? Why not go on your own or with friends instead of bringing a toddler who nurses on demand if you want to see the art?

Why are childless people posting on a parenting topic?

I have teenagers. When they were toddlers we had a membership to the children's museum and the local pools, went to the beach (we had moved out of DC), public library, aquariums and did all sorts of stuff. Once they were old enough (still young but not toddlers), we went to "real" museums where it was appropriate for them to be and that they could enjoy. I recall a few "dates" that DH and I went on to art museums during that time--we would see an exhibit we were interested in and have a nice lunch at the museum cafe/restaurant while the kids stayed with a sitter. That time in our family's life also involved eating at home more or packing picnics, and when we dined out, we went to family-friendly places. We worked around naps and didn't just drag the kids around anywhere and everywhere. It is not that hard to do things that are logistically appropriate for both the kid and the general public.

Sounds like a skill issue. The rest of us have figured how to enjoy art museums with our kids.

LOL my post was about the kid and the general public enjoying the art museum, too. Millennial parents are exhausting. The framework of prioritizing your own enjoyment at all times is creating a tough world to live in, IMO.

If seeing (or hearing) a child eat makes your world a tough place to live in, I’m sorry for you, but it’s a choice you’re making for yourself. No one can coddle you to the degree you never ever encounter annoying sounds in public, and you can teach yourself not to stare.

I am not the OP. I was the one who said it isn't a great idea take toddlers to art museums. I don't think there needs to be a law about it, but when I had toddlers, I was mindful about what they enjoyed as well as the impact their presence had on others. I generally have zero issues with mothers breastfeeding in public, but there is a time and a place for toddlers. For example, I don't think you take a toddler to a nice restaurant at night for dinner, regardless of your breastfeeding plans while there. Parenting is a long journey and there are many phases. You don't have to just keep powering through and doing what YOU want to do the entire time. You can take into account what works for your child, the environment, and all sorts of things. Unfortunately, this way of life seems to be dying (as evidenced by your response)....

But….but they don’t want having kids to change their lives!!! They might lose their identity!

I agree that parents should take their kids to family friendly destinations, but a museum is a perfect example of a family friendly destination. It's a destination that offers things like free coloring pages to help small children engage with the art.

I went to so many more museums when I had children than I did before they came along, because they're such a great place for children.

+1

Small children, yes. Toddlers, not so much.

They can be great for toddlers too.

Yep. All depends on the museum. And the specific place in the museum. And the kid. An overtired BF-on-demand 2.5 year old might not be the best candidate for the quiet galleries, but would do well at an interactive spot at the Natural History Museum. You seem sensible and to understand this distinction. Some people don't.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So you and your kids can generally go wherever you want and act however you want. You can take whiny kids out, breastfeed toddlers on demand wherever they demand it, use your phone on speaker, fart in public, have heavy make outs with your partner wherever you like, spit on the street, and so on. It's a free country.

Some people will find your behavior rude. You can keep going and behaving any way you like, but you don't get to decide that people should not find it rude.

As if anyone should care what the judgmental old bats think. Some people are just miserable and want to sht on everyone around them. MYOB.

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Anonymous wrote:I am wondering why people take toddlers to places like art galleries. Seriously. Are you having a nice time enjoying the art while keeping up with a toddler? Why not go on your own or with friends instead of bringing a toddler who nurses on demand if you want to see the art?

Why are childless people posting on a parenting topic?

I have teenagers. When they were toddlers we had a membership to the children's museum and the local pools, went to the beach (we had moved out of DC), public library, aquariums and did all sorts of stuff. Once they were old enough (still young but not toddlers), we went to "real" museums where it was appropriate for them to be and that they could enjoy. I recall a few "dates" that DH and I went on to art museums during that time--we would see an exhibit we were interested in and have a nice lunch at the museum cafe/restaurant while the kids stayed with a sitter. That time in our family's life also involved eating at home more or packing picnics, and when we dined out, we went to family-friendly places. We worked around naps and didn't just drag the kids around anywhere and everywhere. It is not that hard to do things that are logistically appropriate for both the kid and the general public.

Sounds like a skill issue. The rest of us have figured how to enjoy art museums with our kids.

LOL my post was about the kid and the general public enjoying the art museum, too. Millennial parents are exhausting. The framework of prioritizing your own enjoyment at all times is creating a tough world to live in, IMO.

If seeing (or hearing) a child eat makes your world a tough place to live in, I’m sorry for you, but it’s a choice you’re making for yourself. No one can coddle you to the degree you never ever encounter annoying sounds in public, and you can teach yourself not to stare.

I am not the OP. I was the one who said it isn't a great idea take toddlers to art museums. I don't think there needs to be a law about it, but when I had toddlers, I was mindful about what they enjoyed as well as the impact their presence had on others. I generally have zero issues with mothers breastfeeding in public, but there is a time and a place for toddlers. For example, I don't think you take a toddler to a nice restaurant at night for dinner, regardless of your breastfeeding plans while there. Parenting is a long journey and there are many phases. You don't have to just keep powering through and doing what YOU want to do the entire time. You can take into account what works for your child, the environment, and all sorts of things. Unfortunately, this way of life seems to be dying (as evidenced by your response)....

But….but they don’t want having kids to change their lives!!! They might lose their identity!

I agree that parents should take their kids to family friendly destinations, but a museum is a perfect example of a family friendly destination. It's a destination that offers things like free coloring pages to help small children engage with the art.

I went to so many more museums when I had children than I did before they came along, because they're such a great place for children.

+1

Small children, yes. Toddlers, not so much.

They can be great for toddlers too.

Yep. All depends on the museum. And the specific place in the museum. And the kid. An overtired BF-on-demand 2.5 year old might not be the best candidate for the quiet galleries, but would do well at an interactive spot at the Natural History Museum. You seem sensible and to understand this distinction. Some people don't.

They can be fine at the art museums. Just like most adults can be fine at art museums.

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Anonymous wrote:That's uncool. I have no problem whatsoever with women nursing infants but a verbal toddler is old enough to be told, "no eating in an art gallery" or "wait for milk until later". It's entirely different than nursing an infant.

This. No food or drink in an art gallery. That includes BOOB, imo.

The law says differently.

Yes, the law says that for an infant who needs its mother’s milk to survive. A walking toddler who has teeth and eats solid food is a different story. The toddler needs to have ‘boob’ somewhere other than in an art gallery, just like the rest of us!

Can you link to the text of the law that says it's only for infants?

The DC law that seems relevant specifically uses the word "child". If they had meant "infants" they could have used that term.

(c)(1) A woman shall have the right to breastfeed her child in any location, public or private, where she has the right to be with her child, without respect to whether the mother’s breast or any part of it is uncovered during or incidental to the breastfeeding of her child.


https://code.dccouncil.gov/us/dc/council/code/sections/2-1402.82.html

Ok then go ahead and take your shirt off and breastfeed your 7 year old in the National Gallery!

Yep, these entitled people are just too much. Enjoy breastfeeding your child of whatever age in any public location

There is nothing wrong with breastfeeding.

Stop pushing your misogynistic views on others.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:So you and your kids can generally go wherever you want and act however you want. You can take whiny kids out, breastfeed toddlers on demand wherever they demand it, use your phone on speaker, fart in public, have heavy make outs with your partner wherever you like, spit on the street, and so on. It's a free country.

Some people will find your behavior rude. You can keep going and behaving any way you like, but you don't get to decide that people should not find it rude.

As if anyone should care what the judgmental old bats think. Some people are just miserable and want to sht on everyone around them. MYOB.

LOL, fart and spit away. It might, in fact, be that if you are behaving badly in public, that YOU are the one shitting on everyone around you. The judgment might not be the shitting. Just saying. Maybe reframe.