Here I am, enjoying a moment at Starbucks without the kids! Don’t be too envious; I just emerged from the dentist’s chair, and I’ve got 40 minutes until preschool pickup. Normally, I’m surrounded by little ones, so this diverse group of people at Starbucks feels refreshing and intriguing. Yet, I’ve realized my perceptions of these café patrons have dramatically shifted since becoming a parent.
- Mom with a stroller
Pre-kids: How adorable! I can’t wait to spend my days here with my little one, soaking in the ambiance while they nap or nurse.
Post-kids: How sweet! I hope she can snag that latte before the baby wakes up. I wonder if she earned that caffeine fix from a sleepless night or as a reward for tackling five loads of laundry this morning. - Young couple in their 20s, all cuddled up
Pre-kids: Aww, I wish I were in that blissful state right now.
Post-kids: I hope they’re being responsible with contraception; those carefree days will vanish quicker than they realize. - Handsome man typing away on his laptop
Pre-kids: Wow, he’s cute! (If this is Pre-Husband, replace this with: spends an eternity adding milk to my coffee in hopes he’ll notice me and life becomes a rom-com. Spoiler: it never happened.)
Post-kids: Seriously, I keep telling my husband that remote work is the future! [begins furiously texting and attaching a sneak photo of the man on his laptop] - Mom with a toddler on a leash
Pre-kids: Is he a pet?
Post-kids: [checks Amazon app for price comparisons] - Teenage girl
Pre-kids: High school was a blast! I remember finishing class and heading to Starbucks.
Post-kids: I bet she babysits! [approaches her like a friendly weirdo] - Fit woman in workout gear
Pre-kids: She’s got a fantastic figure. I should hit the gym more often.
Post-kids: I’m going to convince myself she’s child-free, so I don’t feel so bad. - Business meeting crew
Pre-kids: That looks so dull.
Post-kids: They get to chat with adults ALL DAY LONG while sipping coffee. Do you think they’d mind if I grabbed a chair? - Woman on her phone
Pre-kids: How rude! I can hear her entire conversation.
Post-kids: Ooh, an adult conversation! It’s like she’s my new best friend, and we’re just having a casual chat. - Couple in their 30s
Pre-kids: How cute! Enjoying coffee on a weekday!
Post-kids: Seriously, who’s watching their kids, and what kind of charmed life are they living? - Elderly couple
Pre-kids: So sweet. Still so in love.
Post-kids: They must be in their 40s but look young because they had three kids in three years.
For more relatable musings on parenting and the joys of life before kids, check out our other blog posts—like this one on privacy policies.
In summary, visiting Starbucks has taken on a whole new meaning since becoming a parent. The people-watching experience is now colored by my own parenting journey, transforming innocent observations into thoughts filled with humor, concern, and a bit of envy.