One of the recurring problems I have when out with my son is looking for a play place where he can stretch, crawl, and try walking after sitting on the pram for quiet a while. Sure there is always one or two inside a mall but their prices are unbelievable. How does Php 120 for 30 minutes of playing with broken toys sound to you? Rubbish ain’t it, unless the playroom is disinfected, spanking brand new, and with toys that actually work and bling.
Though when I am desperate (and Ashton is very much so), I have no choice but pay the golden ticket. This is the dilemma I faced just yesterday when out in a mall with my son. He was getting bored and restless in his pram so off we went to a small breastfeeding room. Right across it was the newly renovated Toy Kingdom where I caught a glimpse of toddlers crawling on rubbermats. It seemed like a play room for free and indeed it was. Ah heaven’s gift to moms trying to shop.
Toy Kingdom’s free playroom has the essential rubber mat. I think most moms only require a safe space to let their toddlers loose, the toys come in second (and most of us bring one or two). Look how happy my son is and behind the camera, a very relieved mom that is me.
I try to let Ashton play with kids his age so he knows there are other “little people” like him too. Social skills are essential (like for inpatient substance abuse treatment) and luckily, at Toy Kingdom – this opportunity to learn is free. I have a gut feeling it won’t always be, but it’s good to know that right now, there is a mall where a free play room exists. I hope some marketing people in SM think of providing a free play area for little ones, and I mean the little crawlers o-3 years of age.
The breastfeeding room in SM Megamall I know has won several awards but the room is really small. There were three of us moms inside and two of us had to give up our seats because more moms came in. Just saying 🙂
Mommy Lace is a blogger from the Philippines. She started this blog to share information on pregnancy, breastfeeding, childcare, family, and health.