Are Co-op Workers a Family? Kinderphobia Infests Grocery by Jeanie Oliver

St. Mary's was vibrant with children during the service we attended. The mariachi band shook the rafters -- violins, horns, cello, guitars and incredible vocalists. Children cried, squealed, laughed, chattered, and ran up and down the aisles and wriggled over the pews. Some had hair festooned with bright, shiny ribbons and others were dressed as Juan Diego. A beautiful brown-eyed girl toddled over to my daughter during the service and the two of them played with a donation slip together, creating a tender memory I will never forget.

The pervasive feelings were undeniable, the church was flooded with the blessings of life. A huge painting of a very pregnant Madonna hung suspended in midair between bright streamers behind the altar. The joy and gratitude were palpable: children are our future, they are the origin of each and every one of us and they are blessed. They don't interrupt life; they are life.

In Texas, where my children were born, kids and dogs are allowed in bars. This means that if you are a nursing mother, you don't miss years of socializing or of hearing live music because you are stuck at home with your babies. In Texas, your kids can go with you where people drink, and everyone is richer and more human for it.

I think it is ironic that one of the amusements at the co-op holiday party was identifying workers' childhood photos, while real children were banned from the gathering.

I recognize that there are times and places for "adults only." The co-op happens to be a business that serves families and a number of our workers are parents, including single parents whose only family is our child or children. We earn poverty wages, so hiring a babysitter in order to join the staff party may not be a possibility for some single parents working at the co-op. I do not think that 'the holiday spirit' means being able to drink alcohol without feeling self-conscious about a child seeing you. Most kids have seen adults drinking alcohol anyway. It is commonplace in Europe. It's not a big deal.

I hope in time it is fully realized that it is more in keeping with the holiday spirit to allow workers the option of bringing their kid as their guest to the cooperative holiday party.

Until then, when the co-op holiday party occurs, I'm going to party where there is no age discrimination and where people recognize that the true spirit of holidays is inclusive. I'm proud to be a hip mama!

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