April 13, 2004--Many public establishments across the country have yet to build “family rooms” that provides a gender friendly space where parents and guardians can tend to the care of their children. As a result, a small company located in Northern Virginia is on a giant mission to change those statistics.

As a single mom and part owner of New Heights, Inc., Ronna Stockard suggests that, “Any establishment can set aside as little as 200 square feet of space in order to accommodate a multitude of family care needs.” She went on to say that, “Fathers are especially frustrated by the lack of gender friendly facilities that are clean and safe for them to use as well.”

In 2004, New Heights, Inc. started a campaign in search of establishments that have successfully addressed the diverse needs of today’s family. Their website, www.newheights4mom.com, maintains a growing list of “family friendly” establishments based on four “C’s”: cleanliness, convenience, comfort and configuration.

In addition to conducting their own research and site visits to identify “family friendly” establishments, they also collect information anonymously through their website and by mail from parents and guardians. Once that information is verified, the contact information of the establishment is added to their website and is made available to the public. A congratulatory letter is then forwarded to the establishment in praise and recognition for their efforts to make public spaces family friendly. As for the establishments found to be “non-family friendly”, a letter is forwarded asking them to consider adding family friendly accommodations to future renovations.

Put your local shopping malls, museums, and other establishments to the test. Would they make the list? Contact www.newheights4mom.com with your results.




This article courtesy of http://www.breastfeedingsource.info.

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