And Then My Name Was MAMA: JAVA for Mama and Big Fun for the LITTLE One

This afternoon after a trying day with meltdowns, defiance, claiming or demanding of independence and a screaming gassy baby, we headed out for an afternoon of bouncing! Little Java's use to be the go to place I took Grayson when he was younger. Thanks to the Meet Up group I joined I discovered this nice clean indoor play space. When I first began taking Grayson he was 9 Months Old....Tear! Time Flies. Back then little Javas was merely a big sensory experience for Grayson. For me it was where I first came eye to eye with Mommy Snobbery! The moms that you politely say, "Hello" to in hopes to strike up conversation. Every mom needs mommy friends, right? Well, a number of times I received a quick "Hi!" and then was brushed off. For Example:
I would say, " Your daughter is so adorable, how old is she?"
Reply would be, "She is (age)."
Then _______________________________________ Flat line
Absolutely no interest in continuing conversation. Awkward, YES!

When G-Man was younger I was eager to meet moms to learn from, grow friendships, and allow Grayson to have playmates. I was insecure, felt inadequate, and felt that every eye I came across was placing a piercing judgement on me and how I parented. I had no clue. Well, I had some idea of what I was doing but Mommy World was a NEW experience for sure.

Fast forward to the present. Time sure went by so Fast!

G-Man is 2 and we are walking back inside the doors of Little Java's. I am more confident, feel no urgency to make mommy friends, as I have and do meet exceptional moms from time to time. I no longer care about those creepy judgmental eyes that lay upon me. I have come head on with the comparison monster and have moved past it. I still come in contact with Mommy Snobbery from time to time, but no longer feel wounded after contact. I am the best Mama I can be and that is enough for me.

When you walk into Little Java's, you are greeted by an employee behind a podium and chain rope. You pay the fee and then are given a wrist band along with your child with matching number and color for identification purposes. You are then granted access and the world of Little Java's awaits you. To the left are the bathrooms and a small arcade room. To your right is the cafe with party rooms behind. You walk inside and there are tables and cubbyholes for your shoes. Then, a space full of bounce gyms, an adventure zone, and a toddler area. Grayson ran freely through the play space grabbing my hand to tag along in his adventures. The staff at Little Java's is great with keeping the play space safe and clean. They are a life saver when it comes to helping a mother of two, Me, keep eyes on my here, there, everywhere toddler. A latte, two hours of play, a fall, an employee escorting G-Man to me in much need of a diaper change and some slide burns later, Grayson left exhausted. I left with a satisfactory quiet feeling of confidence. Secretly knowing that I am no longer that scared first time mom, but a mom who does her best to get by. Even if it means heading to Little Java's after a rough day in Mama Town.