San Diego, California News Station - KFMB Channel 8 - cbs8.comKid-Friendly Coffeehouse

Kid-Friendly Coffeehouse

Over six years ago, Alicia Campen, a mom with a baby daughter and freelance career, had a wish.

"I wish there was a place I could go and I could get some work done and she could crawl around and no one would get upset if she cried, change her diaper and maybe someone could be there to kind of watch her," Alicia said.

Two years ago Alicia's wish came true when she opened Java Mama in downtown La Mesa.

"It's everything that you'd find at a regular coffee place, plus we've got a lot of stuff for kids," she said.

At this coffee shop, parents can caffeinate while their kids recreate. Parents socialize while children are supervised.

"The parents can't leave, but they can kind of relax on the other side of the café, get some work done," Alicia said.

The cost of a supervised kid and coffee break is $3, when supervised, $1.50. The rest of the time that leaves mom free to check out the latest in cloth diapers.

For moms, Java Mama is a break from the breakneck job of parenting.

"You stay until they're exhausted, and you can carry them out and have a nap," Alicia said.

For new moms, a chance to reconnect with the real world.

"Sometimes you're like a prisoner in your home if you don't get out and socialize with other people. This is a great place to talk to other moms who have children," Alicia said.

A kid-friendly coffeehouse - it's a wish come true for mommies all over La Mesa.