Being a local guide means more to me than just finding a place to eat or to visit.
Yes, it is nice to make connections and friendships across the globe but being a local guide is a responsibility.
The world is not easy for someone who looks like me. I am a minority and a young mom. I have 3 kids and a husband.
Being a local guide gives me a platform where I can inform other people who look like me or who have young families, about my experiences.
I can share whether I was accepted, respected, and if I felt comfortable at that establishment.
I can tell other young moms, who are at their wits ends, who just want to put on real pants, and go out to eat, that this is an amazing family place. This place is perfect to take your littles!
I can tell them that it is okay if your kid talks loudly and may have a tantrum.
That it’s okay if your kids drop a toy or make a beeline for the front door.
I can tell them that this establishment understands that kids are kids.
This is not a place where everyone will turn and look at you, judge you, and think you are an incompetent mother.
Instead, this place will accept and respect you and allow your kids to be kids.
I can tell them that visiting this place will give you some sanity back because you finally get to leave the house!
You finally get to enjoy a meal that you did not have to cook, and you finally got to put on a little bit of makeup and wear some real pants!
Being a local guide is a responsibility so that others who look like me or share a similar background can find acceptance, respect, and feel comfortable.
