Taking Babies to Alleys!
by
Muneer A. Rasheed

As-Salaam Alaikum

Having recently rediscovered the thrills of bowling Alleys; I witnessed friends, families and colleagues all out on the lanes having a great time.

High fives, laughter, encouragement and psyche out games could be heard to and fro.

With all we here and see concerning youths;it’s good to see young people out perusing this form of recreation as oppose to those that are questionable socially.

Even more heart warming is to see fathers out with their families having fun while showing the younger members of the family some of the finer points of getting the bowl down the alley.

The bitter sweet of these happy scenes is seeing babies/infants and very young children there as well.

While witnessing families playing together is as I had written heart warming and seeing young fathers out with their wives and first born can only serve to strengthen family bonds; One concern kept coming to mind.

That concern was over the noise level.

The noise level in bowling centers is to a point where it has to be causing some degree of hearing damage to the very young.

Much like a rock concert; bowling establishments are loud with music balls flying every which way, the pins scattering when hit, the PA system and gleeful cheers of those all around all add to the more than high decibels of noise.

So here lies the dilemma.

Do we return to the prehistoric age where the only sounds to be heard in bowling facilities were the sounds of balls and pins were pretty all the noise you heard. To those days when fathers only went out and bowled with the “Boys” leaving their wives and children home to pursue their own interest.

Given the choice; I think today’s modern bowling alleys are not only saving the game from extinction, but they are also providing families away to connect away from the TV!

In order to have our cake (bowling) and eat it too (the whole family out together) we have to solve the noise issue for those who bring their babies along for the fun.

Here is a possible solution.

Padded earmuffs or earplugs to block out the noise or have soft brain enhancing sounds, music etc playing through the ear muffs so their young minds can exercise while other members of the family are exercising their bodies.

Who knows; this form of active family bonding may even be the start of a trend: A trend where families sit around the house and enjoy good conversation. Ah…the good ole days!

As-Salaam Alaikum


Muneer A. Rasheed
President
AS Consulting Group

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