I see what you say, and I have grown a really thick skin about other people’s tolerance for children. I have three children (9, 6 and 3). The salt of the earth 🤣. And my husband and I make real efforts for them to fit in a society that tolerates children less and less. We all travel on planes, and we do not have iPads because we want our children to partake of the real world. I have been complimented many times for my singing voice on trains, buses and planes, because that’s what I do to calm my children- they plug in to my voice. I am sure many will think their trip was annoying because of a woman and her three small children. And i make the effort to make my children not kick the seat in front of them (I’ve been there and wanted to murder the child behind me) and also make sure they are entertained with books and crayons, but if we as a village have zero tolerance to childhood, then we are really doomed. My children are not only my future, they are everyone’s future, and if people lack the insight to come to that realization, then they are dead inside. And if I get a rude remark (which I confess I have gotten in so very few instances I am spoilt) I just envision one of my children becoming the nurse of that person retirement home, and my child will use the scratchy toilet paper when wiping the asshole’s bum. Karma is my friend 🤭
I love this. I lived in NYC in my twenties, which was one kind of experience, then moved to Brooklyn in my forties (Bed Stuy) as a new parent, another thing altogether. I was full of plans for both my kid–in terms of opportunities, and myself–getting to see and do all the cool stuff. Instead, I staggered through each day, sleep deprived, broke, unable to take advantage of what the city has to offer. Ended up leaving for unrelated reasons, but sometimes wish I'd stuck it out! It's hard being a parent anywhere...
Thank you for the kind comment! I definitely feel this aspect of taking advantage of the city and being challenged to lean into the cool stuff when it takes that extra resources that I just don't always have. We're still here but always taking it day by day
I see what you say, and I have grown a really thick skin about other people’s tolerance for children. I have three children (9, 6 and 3). The salt of the earth 🤣. And my husband and I make real efforts for them to fit in a society that tolerates children less and less. We all travel on planes, and we do not have iPads because we want our children to partake of the real world. I have been complimented many times for my singing voice on trains, buses and planes, because that’s what I do to calm my children- they plug in to my voice. I am sure many will think their trip was annoying because of a woman and her three small children. And i make the effort to make my children not kick the seat in front of them (I’ve been there and wanted to murder the child behind me) and also make sure they are entertained with books and crayons, but if we as a village have zero tolerance to childhood, then we are really doomed. My children are not only my future, they are everyone’s future, and if people lack the insight to come to that realization, then they are dead inside. And if I get a rude remark (which I confess I have gotten in so very few instances I am spoilt) I just envision one of my children becoming the nurse of that person retirement home, and my child will use the scratchy toilet paper when wiping the asshole’s bum. Karma is my friend 🤭
Seeing these comments and appreciate this take the longer I am on this adventure.
"if we as a village have zero tolerance to childhood, then we are really doomed" rings so true
I love this. I lived in NYC in my twenties, which was one kind of experience, then moved to Brooklyn in my forties (Bed Stuy) as a new parent, another thing altogether. I was full of plans for both my kid–in terms of opportunities, and myself–getting to see and do all the cool stuff. Instead, I staggered through each day, sleep deprived, broke, unable to take advantage of what the city has to offer. Ended up leaving for unrelated reasons, but sometimes wish I'd stuck it out! It's hard being a parent anywhere...
Thank you for the kind comment! I definitely feel this aspect of taking advantage of the city and being challenged to lean into the cool stuff when it takes that extra resources that I just don't always have. We're still here but always taking it day by day
Pick up the paci and wash it. The ground is neither lava nor poison.
This is true. I imagine all NYC kids being unshakable in spirit and immunity.
Always a pleasure to read Mike in NY as he maneuvers through parenthood in the city. Treasure these moments!