Outside the village...

[jay]

I'm frankly envious of parents with community support... for example, dawnd and akienm are able to find a series of sitters for Allegra so that they could go to a weekend workshop in LA. Without having to, say, fly in Dawn's mother from back East... it's great for them, and I think they'll add a lot to that workshop. But I know that I couldn't do the same thing, and that Pat and I are pretty much on our own as far as child-raising goes... no net, here. When crises have hit, my only option has been to fly in one or the other grandmothers for a while, and/or take vacation time and stay home as well.

Still, that's a natural consequence of not being a part of any particular community, other than sort of tolerated on the fringes... I have only myself to reproach, arguably, for not giving enough or conforming sufficiently.

Comments

Helping to chisel away at the *outsider* bubble...

[frankenboob.livejournal.com]

you're just as likely to find a weekend babysitter (from the St. Ned's community) as I am. I don't think anyone there is jumping at the chance to take on extra kids... except Jen. :) And I suspect even she has hit her limit. The Nelsons flew in a grandparent when they were out in Virginia... I know it was difficult for them to find someone who would take 2 children. (I offered to take Ella -- for keeps.) :) It's tough finding a babysitter, period.

Re: Helping to chisel away at the *outsider* bubble...

[brian1789.livejournal.com]

(nods) Even in a pinch, it is hard to find one. Usually Pat or I trade staying home with the kids... sometimes James can watch them.

Re: Helping to chisel away at the *outsider* bubble...

[frankenboob.livejournal.com]

I think the point is that (most) everyone has difficulty finding a babysitter.