Dads Do Diapers Too!

Our family enjoys regular visits to restaurants. I mean, who doesn’t love it when someone else takes care of the cooking, dishes and mess on the floor? A few weeks ago, we were enjoying a lovely dinner in a downtown restaurant with another family with young kids. The food and service were great, the company was lovely, and the kids were actually behaving well. The evening had an air of perfection and bliss to it… but all of that came to a screeching halt when I got up to change a diaper.

The men’s restroom did not have a change table. This isn’t the first time I’ve run into this problem. In fact, I once changed a diaper on the men’s room floor. I won’t ever do that again so I politely asked a staff member if they could screen the ladies room for me to enter and change a diaper. The manager asked if I could “do the deed” in one of the restaurant’s empty stalls instead. I reluctantly obliged and suggested that a change table be considered for the men’s room if they wanted families to continue their patronage. Unfortunately, I felt my words fell on deaf ears… yet again.

The number of dads who are active in their child’s care and upbringing is undoubtedly on the rise. We’re seeing more stay-at-home dads, dads as primary caregivers, single dads, part-time dads, and, in our case, gay dads who don’t really have a choice but to do diapers. I don’t think we’re asking for much when we expect a private and sanitary place to change our babies.

I understand families aren’t welcome in all eating establishments and I certainly don’t expect to find a change table at the poshest place in town. However, if you offer a children’s menu or a high chair, then I believe you’re responsible for offering appropriate change amenities for all parents. Your standard Koala Kare change table is about $300 – a price that’s well worth the investment.

After all, it’s 2017 and diaper duty shouldn’t just be mom’s job! If we truly want a community of equality for all parents, then this is a logical step forward. If you agree, let’s hear from you. Help us at Dad Club of London to urge family restaurant owners to install change tables in men’s rooms by signing our petition at dadclublondon.com/we-do-diapers.

 

Frank Emanuele is a proud father of two boys, a special education teacher, and a director of Dad Club London.