I wonder what percentage of sales at Starbucks comes from parents. I would think that it would have to be a pretty high number. Starbucks is basically parent fuel that keeps moms and dads across the country functioning just long enough to get their kids in bed and then pass out. Right? Can you relate? To be honest I didn’t even drink coffee until I had kids. But after a few weeks of being a parent and experiencing no sleep at night, an Ice Coffee became one of my best friends. Unfamiliar words like Grande and Venti became everyday words that brought some hope to a tired day. But with all the goodness that Starbucks brings to my day, I can’t help but think of some fundamental improvements that could be made to help accommodate weary parents. If I ran Starbucks, here is what I would change from a parent’s perspective:

A “Kids on Board” drive-thru lane – It can be so frustrating to whip around the corner towards my local Starbucks store and see a drive thru lane 15 deep with cars. The inside of the store is just as busy and just thinking about the hassle of unbuckling the kiddos and putting coats on them for a 5 foot trip is stressing me out. I just want to drive thru and get my caffeine! So what is the answer? A separate lane just for cars (or Mini Vans) with kids in them. This would help parents get thru the line quickly and stress free without the kids complaining the whole time (not that my little angels would do that). A Free little cup of whipped cream for the kiddos – They pass them out for free to dogs in cars. What about my kids!? Do I really need to explain why this makes sense? Gluten Free Cake Pops – Yep you heard me right. Finally poor little kids that can’t have gluten will have the chance to dig into the beauty that is a cake pop. So tasty! No More Pay It Forward – Sorry to be a buzz kill, but I am too stressed out to worry about paying it forward. I love the concept of someone in front of me paying for my stuff and then I pay for the person behind me. I get it. It’s nice and compassionate and all that. But, when I am half awake and stressed out I don’t want to have to think about what if someone just paid for my iced coffee and 2 cake pops (for the kids of course… I swear) that costs $4.67. Because then I have to try and examine the car behind me and see how many people they have and how much I will have to end up paying over my original cost.

How does this all sound? Any other parents in agreement with me here? Any politicians out there want to add this to your agenda and gain my vote?