Creating the perfect “Others day”
In a perfect world, there would be a day devoted not only to aunts and mothers, but to the childless members of the Otherhood. What would such a day feature if I was in charge?
- Breakfast at a cafe or restaurant that valued return customers by getting to know me by name, and providing small party seating somewhere other than beside the bathrooms or emergency exit. I don’t need to be the center of attention, but on an others day of my choosing, I’d like the option of a window seat too. Speaking of which, free wifi or newspapers would also be appreciated during solo dining.
- An opportunity to get social at a group exercise class (with morning, noon, and night options) in a clean, non-judgemental gym facility that welcomed all ages and body types.
- Lunch with friends (both mothers and others) who, for an hour or two, found a babysitter if required, and were truly “present” during our get-together to discuss their current non-child-related preoccupations or aspirations.
- A visit to a travel agency that specialized in child-free vacations, with options to both go it completely alone, and gather in like-minded groups of others, to explore all the corners of the world.
- A visit to a grocery store to pick up supper ingredients, where in addition to “family packs,” small portions of perishables were available at reasonable prices for purchase. Some of the more common (yet pricey) gourmet ingredients for adult dinner party preparations would also be appreciated.
- A visit to the movies where the feature film choices included at least one selection where the only “Other” in the movie wasn’t a crazy cat lady or perimenopausal cougar desperate to have children.
- A wind-down personal, phone, or skype conversation with a special someone who recognized my contributions to their lives and the world in general.