Little O is a screamer. Not because he’s sad or mad. Just because he loves to hear what his voice can do. And boy, is it powerful! It is absolutely ear-piercing. I told Mike that we won’t be taking him to any libraries soon.
But speaking of libraries, I thought today I could point you in the direction of some entertaining and enlightening blog posts about children in libraries. A close friend is a librarian and often encounters problems of mothers who feel that the library is a great big babysitter and allow their children to run wild and rampant while they tuck themselves away in a corner with a book. As a public service, I am trying to spread her message of how parents should take care of their children in libraries.
A Few Letters I’ve Been Meaning to Post
Because Letter Writing is Endangered
Insider Tips for Moms and Dads
Voting and Other Public Services
They Must Put Stupid Drops in the Water
Thanks for this post! My husband tried to use our local public library to study for the LSAT 6 months ago but it was impossible due to all of the poorly behaved children and lack of supervision. And when he complained to the librarian she just rolled her eyes at him. Gah! I am so glad you shared this. I hope it will enlighten many moms. :)
Alma, I am flattered! I'm also wanting to apologize in advance for the part where I use the word "ho-bag," but oh well . . .
My favorite one is 'because letter writing is an endangered art'.
About using the public library with a shrieking yet precious baby, the hold shelf has become a fabulous resource. You can just request your books online and then when they are available the library will email you and you can go to the shelf and get them and it's in a louderish place in the library so it's ok that he will be shrieking for a little bit right there.
And then obviously you wouldn't be going into areas that are designated study areas and everyone wins.
my offspring has the same issue. still doesn't get the concept of the "inside voice" – even at 6 months old. *sigh* i find taking him to the library while he's asleep is the happiest solution for all concerned.
i'm still scarred from his first visit where he rode happily in the baby bjorn on the walk there and promptly started howling as soon as we walked in the door.
I tried taking my 2 year old to the library once. He was none too thrilled with the concept of being quiet in the library, but very thrilled with the indoor koi pond so our visit was very short lived. I've been too terrified of his potential behavior to take him back since.
Thanks for posting this. I am a former public library worker and I am also a mom and it always terrified me how people would just leave their small children at the library while they left and ran errands. It was shockingly irresponsible.
While libraries are no longer truly "quiet" places, we do make an effort to provide a pleasant atmosphere. However, with budget cuts, libraries are often under-staffed and asking library workers to care for unsupervised children is asking too much.
-Amy
(Life by Candlelight)
Great post….I was just having this discussion with the hubby as he took the kids to the library up the street a few times while we were at Blogher. With other parents letting their kids do whatever they pleased, it sent our oldest the wrong message! Great meeting you while Mr. Chicago Tribune was interviewing our little group of Paula Deen wait-and-seers! It was awesome to meet the lady behind a much loved read.