Living in the suburbs is hard.
Sure, we've got things to make it easy. Starbucks every 2.5 miles. We've also got Monkey Joe's. Or Chuck E. Cheese. And lots of parks that are wonderful.
But remember the days of old when you were around friends all the time? It seems that now when we get together with small children, it's hard to even concentrate for 5 minutes. It's for sure more work than rest. Don't get me wrong, I love having play dates, I love letting my kids play with friends' kids.
Sure, opportunities come up where we can get out without the children. They are few and far between, but they are there. Lots of times though, most of us cancel because we're too tired, too stressed, or too fill-in-the-blank.
Community during college days happened so naturally because we all lived right there. We would hang out until the wee hours of the morning because we could. We could walk to so-and-so's apartment. Am I suggesting communal living as a solution? Well...no.
But I think in the suburbs we have to fight for community. And I think it's worth fighting for, because that is where living happens.
What exactly am I suggesting? Okay suburb peeps, more frequent nights together, watching movies, playing games, having a drink or two. Sitter, you say? They are there. Get them. There needs to be a real balance of family time and fun time. Are your scales tipped too far one way? I know mine are.
What is standing in your way, and what can you do about it? And do you think I'm being too nostalgic, or that I'm onto something?
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