i don't have kids. but i was nanny for several years. after a few of my conversations with people lately i decided to write a little post about my thoughts. a lot of people look at me like i'm crazy when i mention i would love to raise kids in the city. they just assume suburban life is easier, safer, and overall better. i call that ignorance. opps, i did say that.
city life is busy. it's also full of activities specific to kids. free play groups, mom meet ups, classes, reading times, & many parks scattered throughout. on the other hand, the world is at the tips of your wallet & you can find anything & everything to be involved with for a little pocket change or top dollar. the community you find in the city is better than most extended family.
kids in the city know their neighbors and not just the ones that live on their street. the playground brings your neighborhood out. everyone knows everyone. city kids walk everywhere from the time they start walking. many parents or nannies start taking fresh walkers around a block or two for daily stretch. this helps when the child is older and needs to walk 10+ blocks. city kids walk, scoot, or ride everywhere. they are fearless & know their limits by stopping at the corner. i've never seen a kid on a leash unless it was some tourist outside of independence hall.
instead of carting kids in the car for every activity, they are outside enjoying the day. they are looking at trees, smelling fresh bread (passing your corner bakery), or waving hi to their friends across the street. city kids are used to cramped subways, trolleys, & buses. they look forward to rides.
moms of city kids keep slim because they too walk everywhere. ted averages walking 5 miles a day & I average about 2. mom's in the city let their child nap in the stroller as they sip coffee at a local cafe with friends or read at the park or do some shopping.
families in the city are prepared for everything when it comes to the weather. rain doesn't stop them. nor does snow. they are adventurers. it's rare you'll find a mom or nanny staying in the house more than 1-3 hours per day. nope, they are out enjoying the day, meeting friends, having play dates, & being involved in their community. most people in the city don't have a backyard but calm a park as their own & spend much more time their than suburban parents spend in their yards.
i'm not saying that i find anything wrong with the suburban lifestyle. i just would rather my kids not have to ride in the car for 1 hour per day. i rather than be discovery new things on a walk or ride in the stroller.
how about crime? well, let me just say there is crime everywhere. a few months ago, i did a little research. i looked up all the police reports on me who lives downtown, my brother who is in college, and my older brother who lives in a suburb. let's just say i'm not the one you should be worrying about.
with that said, i'll probably raising my kids wherever but i'd love to live in the city.
3 comments :
should I be worried?
My husband and I talk about this all time on how neat it would be to live in a city like NYC or Paris. When we went to Paris a few yeas ago we rented an apartment and took in more of the local living. You are so right. The parks were packed with kids, babies sleeping in their strollers and it just seemed easy. This past fall we went to NYC for the first time and had a blast pushing around our little one.She even slept for 2 hrs in her stroller as I shopped Soho area!
That's exactly the picture of kids in the city. They are out happily playing, sleeping on shopping trips, etc. Ted & I dream of raising our family in Paris too. I think either could be easy but city life is easier than most people credit.
XO
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