THEY'RE an unlikely group of protesters. You might expect to find a group of mums with babies at a playgroup, or having a chat at a coffee morning. But instead they are planning to petition the Scottish Parliament and discussing staging demonstrations outside Lothian Buses' headquarters.
The issue that has brought them together may seem fairly trivial at first. The bus company has started enforcing a ban on unfoldable prams and buggies, to make sure there is space if required for people in wheelchairs.
But this has had far-reachi
ng consequences for many parents. Those without cars have suddenly found themselves isolated without access to public transport. Simple tasks such as going shopping or taking the baby to a hospital appointment have suddenly become fraught with difficulties. They say folding buggies are only suitable for babies over six months old.
One mum reported being stuck in town after she was able to board a bus on the way in, but was refused access three times on the journey home. Another almost burst into tears when she was told she couldn't take her new baby to the doctors' surgery. Some feel it's even a form of sex discrimination, as most carers of young babies are female.
Of course, it's quite right that people in wheelchairs should have priority, and all companies have to comply with the Disability Discrimination Act. But other bus operators rely on common sense and most mums are happy to vacate the space if required. Even disability groups agree there is no reason for an outright ban.
But this row highlights one of the ways our city is perceived as being far from child-friendly. Many first-time parents are shocked when they discover how difficult it is to get good service in cafes and restaurants, and how few people offer help when they struggle up the steps with their prams.
One case in point is the recent decision of the council to close crèches at leisure centres around the city. They seemed like an easy target – after all, they are a drain on money and only used by a minority of customers.
But the result is to exclude a section of the population from taking exercise. Parents can no longer take an older child swimming and leave the younger one in the crèche, and busy mums are deprived of a rare chance to take time out. At a time when obesity is a growing problem, it seems shortsighted to discourage families from taking exercise.
Parents often find themselves treated as second class citizens in shops, cafes and restaurants. One friend recently had lunch with a group of mothers in a city centre restaurant. They ended up having to change their babies on the floor of the ladies' toilet as there were no other facilities. And almost all of them have found themselves struggling to open heavy doors with no-one offering to help.
The difference is especially noticeable when you travel abroad. Italian and Spanish restaurant staff invariably make a fuss of babies, and other customers are more likely to smile than look disapproving. It's almost unknown to see a sign saying children aren't welcome.
Some things are improving, and the recent change in Scottish law on breast-feeding is a step in the right direction. Mums now have the right to feed their babies anywhere you might expect to see young children – including museums, shops and parks. But they still often face disapproving looks, and it can be daunting for a new mum to feed her baby in public for the first time.
One reader recently wrote in to suggest a reporter should try spending a day in a wheelchair to appreciate the difficulties wheelchair users face every day. It would certainly be an eye-opener.
But getting around with a pram is no easy matter either. Almost everyone has a relative or neighbour with young children. It's just a shame we don't remember this when watching a mother struggle to fold her buggy, or tut at a crying baby in a supermarket.
A stitch too farTeenagers and the elderly are two groups in need of some good publicity. Too often we only read about young people causing trouble, or pensioners being portrayed as grumpy and out of touch with younger generations.
So it's refreshing to see that 19-year-old jam entrepreneur Fraser Doherty is helping bring these groups together with a series of tea parties in the city. The idea is very simple – it's a social event where young and old can meet and swap stories over a cup of tea and a scone. The parties have been so successful that attendance is regularly 80 or more, and he's now planning a massive event for 500 at Meadowbank Stadium.
He was inspired by his grandmother, who used to take him to visit the elderly and entertain them with music as a child. Sadly this isn't very common anymore, and fewer children live within easy distance of their grandparents.
For the next tea party, participants can join knitting sessions to produce blankets for a children's hospital in India. It's a good idea – but bringing in volunteer "knitting experts" seems a bit like teaching your grandmother to suck eggs.
