A parent and grandfather himself, Mr van der Velde said now the only time children cry in his restaurant is when they have to leave.
At Mint Beauty Therapy in Te Awamutu a new "mummy morning" was the brainchild of owner and first-time mother Jen Roxburgh.
For three hours on the first Tuesday morning of every month, only mothers with children can book appointments. And while mum gets pampered, her child or children are looked after by Mrs Roxburgh and another beauty therapist.
"I didn't realise how intimidating it could be to take your child in to get your hair done or even a quick beauty treatment ... that's why I came up with the concept of mummy mornings." Mint turns one of its treatment spaces into a play room complete with toys, play mats, balloons, and books, and $2 from every mummy appointment is donated to Te Awamutu Plunket.
Mummy mornings began only three months ago but Mrs Roxburgh said it was already proving popular.
Mother Kathryn Horton said the idea meant she did not have to find someone else to look after daughter Sophie, 11 months, or try to squeeze beauty therapy into her working day as a part-time legal executive.
AUT senior lecturer of marketing and retail Helene Wilkinson said the trend was growing as retailers realised how important it was to enable shoppers to remain in store and make stress-free decisions. "It's really intelligent of retailers to do it. It's retailers cottoning on to the fact we need to facilitate the way that people shop."
Mrs Wilkinson said building strong relationships was also behind the trend. "We need to enable them to spend more time in store to make good decisions that support that whole loyalty to the retailer."
Child-friendly features big drawcard
A child's playroom at a Birkenhead pancake cafe is a drawcard for Danielle Nichol and her children, Sophia, 9, Lucy, 7, and 2-year-old Ben.
The family often seek out child-friendly cafes and with the playroom, toys, books and television, Dutch Delight is a regular choice.
"The kids can have a little play and the adults can sit out of the way," she said. Eateries with child-friendly features are a drawcard for all the couples Mrs Nichol knows with children.
"If they have got some toys or colouring things, when you see those things it makes you think they will tolerate children. If we went out for dinner we'd choose a pizza place with a relaxed atmosphere so people weren't there having a romantic evening or anything. When Ben was a little bit younger I would be thinking about where I can put the pram.
"There are a lot of places that will also offer a free fluffy [foamed milk drink] with the adult's coffee."
Other favourites are in Mission Bay with the park and playground, Fernlea Cafe in Coatesville which has a trampoline and Fusion Cafe in Herne Bay which boasts a sandpit in its play area.
- Morgan Tait
Shopping for families
The Tannery Cafe, New Lynn, Auckland: A caravan inside the cafe will soon be filled with toys, books, chalk boards, and fairy lights and a new mothers' corner is coming. Children can also watch through a window as Kohu Road icecream is made.
Sylvia Park, Mt Wellington, Auckland: The Treehouse Children's Creche offers free childcare to preschoolers while parents shop at the mall.
Carve Hair Design, Hamilton: Has a swing inside the salon and kids' playground outside.
Caffe L'affare, Wellington: Well known as kids-friendly coffee house. Play space and lots of toys.
The Short Straw Cafe, Silverstream, Wellington: Features a playground with giant blocks for the children, inside play area, petanque and a chess board, and a parents room
