I have three children, and I love them, each and every one.
I even like them the vast majority of the time.
But that doesn’t mean I don’t appreciate a break from them every now and then.
And now the government is threatening to take that away.
I know Christy Clark’s supposed to be about Families First, but a recent announcement that the government is intending to permit children to accompany their parents into pubs is just going too far for my liking.
Liberalizing the liquor rules might be a government priority, but this is one place where I’d like the government to leave well enough alone.
I spend a significant amount of time (when I’m not at work) in child-centred pursuits. That includes chauffeuring kids to gymnastics, hockey, speed skating and cross country skiing and the library. I haul them to the grocery store. I make most of the purchases with healthy meals in mind to nourish their growing bodies. In fact, the lion’s share of my shopping involves things to either put on their bodies, in their bellies or to expand their minds. I brush teeth, kiss boo-boos, referee sibling spats and pick up toys.
And I don’t mind. I signed up for it. I love them with my every breath, but sometimes I feel the need to catch mine – in a place without anyone screaming for a sippy cup or bouncing in their seats.
Sometimes I like to go to the pub and have a glass of wine and not hear anyone whining for their mommy.
The pub is that place – a no-kids-allowed sanctuary.
I must admit, there’s been times when I’ve had a craving for a particular menu item that I can’t get in Salmon Arm’s more family friendly establishments, that I’ve wished for the ability to zip into the pub with my kids. But that issue can be quickly solved with a three-word solution: take-out food.
The funny thing about this proposed change is that no one I know actually was asking for it. I did a small, totally unscientific survey, and 100 per cent of the parents I asked were in favour of keeping pubs for adults only.
(You see, I’m not the only parent who likes a little child-free time.)
While this is by no means an accurate gauge of B.C. public opinion, I did a little googling and couldn’t find a dedicated group who was lobbying for such a change. But I did see a few items where pub owners in the province are opposing the proposed change, citing potential negative effects on their bottom line.
So if no one’s really clamouring for this change, why the need to push ahead with it?
Put the booze in the grocery store, the convenience store, heck, even the post office if you want – but leave this parent’s rare, kid-free pub time alone.