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Our family focus shouldn't be at the mall

Re: Family focus at Brandon mall

I just wanted to respond to the Jan. 13 Brandon Times headline that read "Malls' $50-million upgrade to focus on families."

Since I believe in family focus, I decided to read on. I kept reading and looking for the "family focus." When I read the part about an addition that will feature a family lounge and play area, I thought that might have been "the family focus."

After reading this, my heart sank. Where on earth has society gone? The only thing about all of the above that children might like is the play area. Most of us have that in our back yard. The last time (and only time) I ventured out to the mall was to take my kids to get their father a birthday present in November. It was only 2:30 p.m., and I still had to fight traffic just to get in the mall parking lot.

Inside, there were other mothers trying to get their kids to behave. Two-year-old children were asking, "Mommy, can we go home now?" I don't know about you, but I don't think I have ever gone into a store without hearing a crying child that does not want to be there. Kids don't want to shop!

I understand the "new addition," but, please, let's not make this about the children. The focus on the family should really be about what takes place in the home. Let's play games, read stories and maybe watch a good PG movie (which are hard to find these days). Shopping is not exactly a "family focus," and if we as adults think so, that is truly sad.

[Last modified January 26, 2006, 09:02:05]