Home Synopsis Buy the Book About the Author Subscribe to Our Newsletter The Mommy Brain Blog Read an Excerpt Reviews Q&A The Mommy Brain
The Mommy Brain
How Motherhood Makes Us Smarter

The Mommy Brain Blog

Thursday, January 05, 2006

parenting blues

Our local school flooded in the torrential rains that put San Anselmo in the national news for the first time since it was revealed that the "American Taliban" came from here -- and now my 1st grader has been home an extra week tagged on to winter break -- just when I thought it was safe to go back to work.
It made me a receptive audience for a Washington Post story about how parents get more depressed than non-parents.
What's key in this story is the comment near the end about how parents in the U.S. get so little support is right on target -- don't get me started about my search for a sitter this week! And I know my woes are nothing compared to parents with less flexible jobs, i.e. most parents. One of the dirty little secrets about raising kids in this country is that schools close down at the drop of a hat -- it doesn't take a flood. And there's just about zip backup.

1 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

I have just discovered your blog (via Ghost World) and am enjoying reading it. I find we have a lot in common. I am also intrigued by the sound of -- and intend to read -- your book

Like you I am a writer -- a freelance journalist. I have two sons: 10 and 7 years old; when we had a TV we had a nightly ritual of watching The Simpsons as a family; and it sounds as though we face similar challenges vis-a-vis internet games and the general joys and tribulations of childraising.

I'll just add that I think it is slightly easier to find help with childcare here than it is in London. (We moved to California from London six months ago.) At least there is an awareness of what is needed here. (Or maybe I haven't been here long enough to live through the inevitable babysitters from hell experiences!)

8:30 PM  

Post a Comment

<< Home