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A simple step
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Okay, so you've got the kids' menus with the puzzles and coloring pages on the back. You've got plenty of crayons in little boxes. You've got little cups with colorful pictures on them and a whole storeroom full of milk. You've got french fries and chicken nuggets and skabetty and lots of sprinkles to go on the ice cream. You've even got those fold-up changing tables in the men's bathroom. Think that makes you family friendly?Not entirely. There's one more thing most restaurants (heck, businesses in general) forget that would make them a lot nicer for kids. So here's my tip for all you businessfolk out there. Run down to Ikea or Target or just about anywhere and pick up a couple of cheap plastic stools. The one pictured here sells for $3 at Ikea; I'm sure you can find similar ones just about anywhere.
Put at least one in each bathroom near the sink. You see, I'm not expecting you to remodel your bathroom to lower one of the sinks. I'd just like to have something there the kids could stand on so they can reach the sink to wash their hands. As it is, I have to lift them up and hold them over the sink so they can reach. And my kids aren't light. So please, just pick up a couple of cheap step stools and toss 'em under the sink in the bathroom. My back will thank you.
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ReaderComments (Page 1 of 1)
3-20-2008 @ 2:17PM
Jill said...amen. and my 4yo is tall
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3-20-2008 @ 2:19PM
jane said...This is something I’ve thought about for a long time. It’s like you read my mind. Trying to hold up a “heavy at that angled” 3 year old…trying to hold him on a knee raised and juggling him like that and what’s worse is when you have those taps that only go on for 5 seconds, you just get it going, hold on to him and the stupid water goes off and you start all over. Not to mention the gross sink your holding him against.
Yes, wouldn’t a stool like this be sooooooo nice?????
Reply
3-20-2008 @ 2:24PM
Jennifer said...This would be a dream, Roger. Unfortunately, a business can only use OSHA approved step stools and even then the liability issue could (and most likely would) do some serious damage to their insurance coverage....aahhh, don't you just love the sue happy world we live in. (BTW- I was a restaurant manager and I know just how annoying this issue is.)
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3-20-2008 @ 2:34PM
Clara said...AMEN! I am so on this bandwagon. I have two little boys and if you hold one up to wash his hands than the other one can start pulling all the toilet paper off the roll. Or something worse.....
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3-20-2008 @ 3:04PM
SKL said...I'm just picturing what the bathrooms will look like if the little kids are allowed to freely get at the fawcets. I'd say if you are afraid to just use a wet paper towel on your kids' hands, suck it up for a few years.
Now, how about making a rule that the bathroom has to be accessible to moms with two babies in a stroller, or equipped enough so you can carry them in there (two kids and one diaper bag), change them, go to the bathroom, and wash your hands . . . OK, now I'm the one who's dreaming . . . .
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3-23-2008 @ 8:11PM
pbhj said...Our pottery studio, http://barefoot-ceramics.co.uk, has a huge toilet room. We never imagined when we opened but we get lots of comments about it.
It's just a single toilet and sink, we use the Ikea steps (ours are blue to match the transparent-blue stellar-constellations toilet seat).
Anyhow, I did turn down the water pressure so you can't make the water splash out ... but without a step I'd be worried the sink would be pulled off the wall. Also sinks have to be reasonably low to be wheelchair accessible (we have a Disability Discrimination Act in the UK). Sorry SKL but our changing table is out in the studio, away from customers so we're not quite in toilet-room nirvana yet.
What I would like to have is one of those flip-up seats with straps where you can hold captive a toddler whilst you look after their sibling.
Not sure about Health and Safety concerns of a step but I try not to live my life afraid of who might sue me for trying to make their life easier.
3-21-2008 @ 12:05AM
Heather said...SKL, I have to say I can't hardly stand to read your comments anymore. You seem to think that noone has tried the things you say. Just about every comment you post has something negative about it. Or maybe you just want to be a know-it-all but really have no grasp on anything?
BTW- Not all kids seem to think they need help when it comes to washing their hands. It is called independance. I'm really glad I wasn't one of your kids, I would feel smothered.
3-21-2008 @ 2:01AM
SKL said...Well, Heather, that's interesting, because Tree and Mel think I neglect and endanger kids by giving them too much independence. Whatever.
Heather, I don't much like your comments either. I would have been nicer about it though, if you'd kept quiet. You must be having a really crappy day. Glad I was here so you could vent on someone anonymously.
3-20-2008 @ 8:19PM
Sherry said...I live in Japan and many bathrooms have lower, small sinks specifically for kids to use usually with lower hand dryers or towel dispensers. Yes, it is more expensive than a cheap step stool, but it will be there a lot longer and doesn't break any codes or present any danger or liability issues if someone trips over or falls off the step. Also, at least in the women's restrooms, many bathrooms have changing tables as well as special seats on the wall inside the stalls for larger babies and toddlers to sit in while Mom uses the toilet. Many places even have toilets with a smaller seat that folds down on top of the larger seat so little bottoms don't fall in. There is also almost always at least one urinal in the women's restroom for older boys so they don't have to go into the men's rooms by themselves. No one thinks anything about boys, even as old as elementary school, being in the women's room. Of course, you don't find these things in every single restroom, but you certainly find them in places that parents often shop or eat at.
I think America could do a lot to become more kid friendly, but that would cost money that no one wants to spend and require a change of attitude. Who cares about kids and their needs, right?
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3-20-2008 @ 9:05PM
Heather said...This drives me crazy as well. I love the smaller sink idea. How about putting these in family restrooms that any adult/child gender combo can use?
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3-21-2008 @ 12:09AM
Heather said...I usually hike my 3 yo on my knee and let her sit there as best as she can, but I agree a stool or something could be done. I always feel like I am squishing her against the sink just so she can reach. Not to mention getting the soap to her.
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3-21-2008 @ 2:06AM
SKL said...See response to your friendly comment above.
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3-21-2008 @ 4:55PM
the goddess anna said...I just wanted to add that we have that stool (and we lurve it!).
I think they'd be okay to use in public places, as Ikea uses them in their own bathrooms (and they're not in violation of anything, at least not in MD/VA - where the three Ikeas we visit are located).
In restaurants and stuff, I either hoist the kid up to the faucet or (the horror!) use a glass of water and napkins at the table. My kids like to touch *everything*, so sometimes tableside cleaning is safer than venturing to the bathroom period!
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4-17-2008 @ 12:19PM
Susanne said...My husband and I live in Pasadena with our 3 children Tilly(6) and Joshua & Jack(3). We just got back from a trip to Dallas visiting family. We took the kids to Chuck e Cheese and in the restrooms they had these new step stools so the kids could reach the sink. They are called Step n Wash and it was so nice to finally see something like this. I called the company and they told me that these steps are in 300 locations around the country including lots of businesses here in LA! Has anyone every seen these before? Their website is http//stepnwash.com I can't believe I never thought of it!!
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