I'm just going to add this disclaimer at the beginning of this opinion piece because I in no way want to offend parents, but I am also defending the rest of us. I'm also directing this to parents with toddlers and children, not necessarily babies sleeping in their seats. I'm asking for understanding and perspective on this one.

The other day, I went to The Veil with a friend. Beautiful day with my friend, good beer flowing, and a nice crowd outside. I was so excited to see her and she was glad for a little mom time while her young daughter got a little dad one-on-one. As we stood looking over the strangely placed chairs and benches in the parking lot, we noticed a lot of baby strollers and children sitting about. We both felt like we were at some weird neighborhood party where we knew no one and stood hovering this group of parents and their kids. It's not an unfamiliar sight. It however, should be an uneasy sight.

Look, I get it. you had a baby and you don't want your life to change. Well, i hate to break it to you, but it has. And although it has changed for you, doesn't mean it has to change for the rest of us. I see mother's breast feeding their newborns at breweries while their 2 year old waddles through the patio, I see three year olds throwing food on the floor of fine dining establishments and I see mother's taking their five year olds to get mani/pedis. Here's the thing, you don't realize what you're doing. I ask these questions, are you not doing these things to pamper yourselves, why would you want your toddler there and why would you subject the rest of us to it?

There are just some things you need to accept as a parent. One thing being, there are no playgrounds at breweries. I go to the brewery because I want to enjoy adult time with my adult friends drinking adult beverages. And before you get all parent's rights on me, think about it. When you were childless, did you enjoy going to have drinks with children circling your feet or taking up an empty seat or screaming while you're trying to have a smoke?

I know, it's harsh to say. You very badly want to still belong to your social circle and enjoy the ranks of having an IPA with the rest of the world and that's ok. It's just not ok to do it with your kid in an establishment that is alcoholcentric. There are special circumstances such as festivals or anniversary parties that can be justified because there are actual activities catered for children, think Oktoberfest, but if I'm headed in for happy hour after a very stressful day at work, craving a nice cold Kolsch on a beautiful Spring Day, and I'm standing while your kid gets the privilege of an empty seat, that's a bigger problem.

Your children are not adults. They don't get to play with other adults. You expect us to be understanding, yet you are teaching your kids to be our equals. You are implementing into their heads that they get first priority for the mere fact that they are little people and that you had offspring. Why, should I, as an adult, feel uncomfortable for being an adult in an adult place. Now, if parents were disciplining their children as they should be doing, I'd feel better about them coming to certain restaurants and public places, but let's be honest, I've never seen so much bad parenting in my life. It's truly not cute that you don't believe in teaching your kids simple manners, but that's a whole other subject.

I love children and before you say, "Do you have kids?", I do have one in my care once every week and every other weekend. As much as we'd love to sit in Ardent's lovely beer garden and sip on one of their lucious beers, we instead take her to Chucky Cheese where 4 year olds belong. Sure, it's not the most refreshing time for us, but hey, relationships are about sacrifice and this is no different (and I mean the relationship between you and your kid). You surely wouldn't bring your kid to a bar, so why bring them to a brewery. It's also why I don't understand why women bring their little girls to nail salons. My mother was very strict about when it was age appropriate to start bringing in the idea of image and beauty into my life. You mothers might find this to be cute, but you are once again, teaching your little girls that you are her equal and that beauty regiments are part of being pretty. Let her be a kid first before teaching her aesthetic practices she'll have to struggle with later on in life, and I will enjoy my mani/pedi gossip time without feeling awkward.

All I'm asking for is a little awareness, parents. Be aware that some of us enjoy time with our adult friends without having to filter our words. Maybe be considerate and take your kids to Dave and Busters instead of restaurants with $20 plus entrees sans kid's menus. Realize that breweries are not your backyard and that there is nothing cool about your screaming child in line while I wait to order my Gose. Are you really spending quality time with your kid because you brought some paper and crayons with you? I know it's hard and unfair and you want to do it all, but you can't, not yet at least. You and Partner #2 will have to trade off once in a while and sometimes, I know...it's ok...sometimes, you're going to have to miss out.

Photo by: Bruce Mars - This woman's cheekbones and perfect hair tells me she's never had a kid — Photo by: Bruce Mars - This woman's cheekbones and perfect hair tells me she's never had a kid

Don't fret, there are solutions and you too can enjoy a deliciously crafted beer while hanging out with your kids and your friends. There are places such as Burgers and Brew, The Cask Cafe, and despite what I said above, Triple Crossing Fulton is a Family Friendly brewery (pizza and outdoor games). These places have kid friendly foods and the feel of the outdoors.

As you parents decide to give other adults the luxury of grown-up time, we thank you for it. Cheers to you for being a responsible parent and for not exposing your children to inappropriate conversations, smoke and a lot of bad first dates. A toast to you for realizing your children are not equals and that they don't get the privileges that come with being an adult, that is something they must earn. And lastly, here here to you parents who understand that children are not accessories, they don't need to adorn your every life experience, they just need to be able to enjoy their own.