Mermaids and fireflies
Go over to Julia’s and read her post today. She asks Ayun Halliday what the appeal of New York is: "… what makes it worth your while to carry six bags of groceries up three flights of stairs to an apartment that is smaller than my garage… WITH A BABY ON YOUR BACK? " And Ayun responds with a paen to the wonders of the Coney Island Mermaid Parade. It’s just wonderful.
As I’ve written before, if not as eloquently as Ayun, an urban childhood has its own charms. If real estate had been slightly cheaper in the District nine years ago, we might have stayed on the other side of the Potomac. But as it is, I live somewhere between true city and true suburbs, with a minivan and a Costco membership, but without a driveway. My kids chase fireflies on summer evenings, and also have conversations with the mildly schizophrenic man who details cars on our block. These days, I’m more likely to envy friends with big backyards than those who go to interesting shows, but I’m ok with that.
August 7th, 2006 at 11:05 pm
I can not understand why people are debating suburbs, country vs. the city with regard to children. Each one great and leads for diverse experiences. I was raised in Queens, NY, which is suburbia compared with Manhattan and now live on Long Island, which makes Queens look like the city. Queens was the ideal – the sense of suburbia, yet so close to the city. I think suburbs – at least around large cities- are changing. I don’t think I will read the books mentioned since I don’t like preachiness and this arguement is reminding me of the SAHM vs. working mother debate. The only thing that concerns me in living in suburbia is that my daughter will not be exposed to much cultural diversity. Bringing her to cultural events or museums is still accessible. However, the everyday people experience is what I mean – homogenous classmates, work experiences, etc. She also mentions joining her communist mothers group. I loathed the thought of mothers groups and play dates and have never engaged in these activities. I still have childless friends and colleagues that I would much rather spend time with. Work, my art and the comfort in myself has kept me fulfilled. I just would like to connect with women who are mothers that can converse on topics other than children. So far, I have yet to really connect with anyone.
August 8th, 2006 at 8:45 am
We’re in a strange situation right now because we’ve temporarily abandoned our suburban Falls Church single-family home during remodeling for a tiny 2BR apartment in Glover Park. To go from a pseudo-suburban (I call our neighborhood that, since I can walk to the Metro and to restaurants and stores, and because it is very diverse — even more so than large quadrants of D.C. proper) to an urban setting has been…well, not too much different. My 20-minute commute has been cut to 10 minutes; we walk to more stores and activities; and we have to keep reminding our rambunctious almost-4-year-old that there are people on the other side of the walls and floor that don’t want to hear her tantrums. In the end, I don’t think our lives would be too much different if we had chosen to buy in the city — right now, I just miss my house.
August 8th, 2006 at 9:29 pm
Christine, I think that’s one of the appeal of blogs — they allow you to connect with other moms based on commonalities of interest other than having a baby about the same age and lving nearby.
On the other hand, you can’t leave your kid at another blogger’s house when you have to run to the doctor at the last minute. So it’s good to have real-life connections too.