My kids were having the time of their lives. I was on a hard couch in a windowless “parent area,” questioning my life choices.
Lighting that belonged in a DMV. Colors that belonged in a cartoon. A TV mounted on the wall, turned off. Somewhere at corporate, “parent area” had a checkmark next to it.
On the other side of the glass, my kids were screaming with joy. And it hit me. Parents were an afterthought.
I’ve spent 25 years building consumer brands. I know what a market gap looks like. I just never expected to spot one from the worst seat in the house.
The part of the family outing we’ve learned to put up with
As a mom of three, I’ve spent plenty of time figuring out where to take my kids. Finding something they’ll all enjoy is a win in itself. Whether I’ll enjoy being there barely makes the list.
Think about it. We’re the ones who plan the outing, pay for admission, and drive everyone home. And we’ve gotten so used to counting the minutes that a place to sit can feel like enough.
But sitting on that couch, listening to my kids laugh, I had a pretty simple question. Why couldn’t they have the time of their lives while I actually enjoyed being there, too?
What we’re building at The Place
That question became The Place, an indoor family destination we’re planning for Fairfield, Connecticut.
I picture a Saturday when you can bring the whole family and everyone finds something they want to do. Your toddler heads for soft play. Your teen shoots hoops or meets up with a friend. You get a good cup of coffee, sink into a comfortable couch, and maybe even finish a conversation.
The café and parent lounge are part of the plan from the start. So are comfortable places to sit near the court and turf field, because sometimes the best part of the outing is watching your kid do something they love.
Over time, I want The Place to become somewhere you go without having to make a whole plan. Somewhere you start recognizing faces, run into a neighbor, and stay a little longer because you’re having a good time, too.
So thank you, crappy “parent area.” You’re the reason we’re building The Place.
Kids play. Parents recharge. Community gathers.