I am so very fortunate that my husband was able to make it home for our son’s first birthday festivities, including a baby Mickey themed birthday party in Las Vegas, a Dodger themed birthday party in Los Angeles, and a four-night stay at Disney’s Paradise Pier Hotel with three-day park hopper passes!
With my husband working in Afghanistan and only home a total of six weeks out of a year we have made a deal for when he is home. Our deal is that from the moment he lands he is officially on “daddy diaper duty.” I’ve got to say I love this deal! Sometimes I feel as though my life revolves around my child’s schedule: eat, change diaper, sleep, and repeat. To be completely honest, it is really exhausting. I am lucky to have a husband who understands, and when he is home is more than willing to help.
I went over 30 years with no responsibility. If I happened to need a restroom when I was out, I would simply find it and be done within three minutes. That is no longer my reality. My eyes are now open to just how many public restrooms do not accommodate mothers with babies. I am now completely offended if I go into a restroom, and it does not have a changing station for my child. As a paying customer I should not be forced to change my infant child on a dirty bathroom floor.
Some of my single friends and family members, who either don’t remember what it’s like being a new mother or don’t have children themselves, look at me like I’m crazy when I refused to eat or shop somewhere where they don’t offer a changing station. It’s not their fault, they simply haven’t experienced a squirmy toddler who has had a blowout and won’t hold still while being changed on a dirty bathroom floor. Needless to say, I was a little worried when planning our three days at Disneyland.
Daddy Diaper Duty At Disney’s Baby Care Center
Disneyland caters to children, but I wasn’t sure about a one year old. I quickly discovered that a lot of the restaurants offer a “toddler meal” and we were able to go on more rides then I originally thought. To my surprise, there were Baby Care Centers at the end of Main Street in Disneyland and next to Ghirardelli in California Adventure. This Baby Care Center makes time at Disney with a little one so much easier.
Families are welcome to wait in the main room while either mom or dad takes care of baby’s needs. If your toddler is beginning to potty train, they have a toddler-sized porcelain toilet along with a sink that has been designed for a young child’s height.
Disney’s Baby Care Center Has:
- nursing room with chairs
- toddler size toilets
- changing room with tables
- feeding area with highchairs
- kitchen with microwave and sink
- main room with television, table and chairs
- on-site shop offering formula, baby food, juice, diapers, wipes, sunscreen, over-the-counter medications, and pacifiers for purchase.
In addition to the Baby Care Centers, baby changing stations can be found in most Disneyland resort restrooms. Disneyland never disappoints. Daddy diaper duty was in full affect while mommy enjoyed her much needed break from the constant diaper changes a one-year old requires.
Marisa — Mom of Mikey
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