This past weekend was the grand opening of Ikea in our neck of of the woods. I heard about the store through a few other people, some who actually drove to another state to shop there. It’s known for it’s warranty’s, affordable pricing and sassy style. One thing that I didn’t know that it was known for as well, was it’s on-site child care center.

This is the first of it’s kind in our area. From what I have heard, the store originated in Sweden, so maybe that explains it’s child friendly nature? The only other place that I know of that will watch kiddies while you play is the gym where my kids father takes them. I’ve never been with him when he’s taken them, but they seem to be fine with it and are used to going a few times a month with him.

I have always marveled of the idea of company’s that provide on-site daycare for their employees and wish that more of them did that. However I never lucked out in that department.

The childcare center at Ikea was at the front when you walked into the huge store (basically the size of a mall). There were lines outside the door full of families waiting to get their tots in. I didn’t have my children with me that day, and wondered to myself if I did, if I would’ve taken advantage of their parent friendly amenity.

I mean this is what we pray for as parents. We want child friendly environments, businesses that put us first and a world that has so much mercy on the impossible job we as parents have taken on that they willingly throw themselves at our beck and call. Yet, in the back of my mind, I still wondered if my desire to shop alone without kids growing restless or darting down aisles was stronger than my desire to keep them right with me at all times. As much as I try to be okay with letting go and know how necessary it is, of course there’s always that nagging voice that often sticks.

As I expected, I saw some children curiously looking around and willingly going into see what was inside. Then there were the ones that were stuck to their parents like glue. My children aren’t like glue to me, but I’m not 100 percent sure of what their reaction would be to this on-site adventure. I have a feeling more than likely, they would be one of the willing candidates. So will I use and support this type of thing in the future? Yes, I believe I will. And hopefully these places will continue to grow as we and our children let go a little more.