In a world where parenting roles are evolving, a Canadian dad’s tweet has sparked a conversation about inclusivity in grocery store signage. Is it only mothers who do the grocery shopping with young kids? Of course not! It’s 2017, and fathers are just as involved. So, it’s high time grocery stores reconsider the wording on their parking signs that favor mothers and their little ones.
On Monday, father Mark Thompson was at his local grocery store when he parked in a space designated for parents. However, the sign read “Expecting Mothers” and “Mothers with Small Children.” Thompson, with his 9-month-old daughter, snapped a selfie in front of the sign and shared it on Twitter, humorously questioning if he was allowed to park there. He tagged the store, FreshMart, located in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Initially, Thompson thought nothing of the sign, pleased to find a spot near the entrance. However, upon noticing a disapproving look from another shopper, he began to reflect. “Once I got out of the car, the look faded when I took my daughter out of her seat,” he recounted. “But then I realized the sign’s wording was exclusionary. What about single dads? What if the parents are a same-sex couple? It just felt outdated.”
It’s a simple fix to make the sign more inclusive: just swap “mothers” for “parents.” Many brands have made similar shifts recently, recognizing the need for more inclusive language. Amazon’s “Amazon Mom” program was rebranded to “Amazon Family” a couple of years ago, and “Today Moms” became “Today Parents” in 2014. FreshMart responded to Thompson’s tweet with a supportive message, stating, “You’re absolutely welcome to park there, Mark! Which store was this so we can make updates? #SuperDad.” They even added, “Thanks for bringing this to our attention! We’ll see you both in-store soon :)”
Thompson was pleasantly surprised by the prompt and thoughtful response. He felt heard and appreciated that the company acknowledged his concerns. “I was really impressed. The reply felt genuine, and they understood my point of view,” he shared with us. The grocery chain indicated that they would consider revising their signs in the future, stating, “All expectant parents and those with small children can park in the designated spots at our FreshMart stores.”
While Thompson is satisfied with the outcome, he hopes this will encourage more businesses to adopt inclusive practices. “I hope the sign reflects a broader issue of societal thinking—parenting is not just ‘women’s work;’ it’s a shared responsibility among all parents,” he said. “It’s crucial to identify and correct the non-inclusive language that surrounds us.”
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In summary, a dad’s tweet about a grocery store’s outdated parking sign prompted a positive discussion about inclusivity, leading the store to consider updating its signage to reflect modern parenting dynamics.
Keyphrase: inclusive grocery store signage
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