November 18, 2006 - 6:28 am
In a recent New York Times, reporter Stacy Lu wrote a piece
called “Cosmopolitan Moms” about a group of women who gather for play
dates and cocktails. As you might imagine, the usual debates about
drinking in front of kids ensued, as well as some keen observations
about the need for some parents to loosen up.
What got my attention was this paragraph:
Some say the mother get-togethers are a throwback to the
1950s, when adults had more time to themselves and children were not
always the center of attention. Martinis were in vogue; today’s
obsessive, hard-driving, Harvard-or-bust parenting scene was not.
[Read more here]
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I left my comment over at the article, but wanted to say here I totally agree with you and am thoroughly impressed by that post!
November 18th, 2006 at November 18, 2006 - 12:26 pmSpot on, Crankmama! You need to get yourself a newspaper column, girlfriend. (Um, because I know you need one more thing to do…) It’s nice to have your voice in the midst of all this “You have to be June Cleaver” versus “You have to have seven million activities and enrichment shit planned for your kid” hubbub.
November 18th, 2006 at November 18, 2006 - 2:20 pmI had an afternoon playdate in my neighborhood park last Thursday (within our community actually). A bunch of neighborhood moms ended up coming by chance.
We got to talking and decided to make it a regular thing. I had in the back of my mind the idea of bringing some kind of drinkage, but didn’t want to bring it up for fear of appearing to be a lush.
Ha.
One of my neighbors beat me to it! I think I love her.
We’re starting a regular Thursday playdate the week after Thxgiving. BYOB baby!
November 18th, 2006 at November 18, 2006 - 7:23 pmI have never been a Harvard or bust mum, there has always been a balance between the kids’ and my fulfillment, heavily weighted in my direction. I wouldn’t drink at a playdate solely because I can’t handle drink and would crash the car into a wall on the way home, but I am a 1950s mom in that I am not kid focused.
Thus the kids are well balanced and totally independent, the five year old can make tea and toast solo, the three year old can do up all buttons and zippers, while, unfortunately, I am still miserable. What gives?
November 19th, 2006 at November 19, 2006 - 11:26 amI do this all the time and think it’s a great idea. The only thing worrying me is mothers having a few drinks and then driving. In my house there is no driving after drinking.
Back in the 50’s the parents had more time for themselves but I think many neglected their kids. Now it’s probably too much focus on kids. A middle ground would be more effective.
AD
November 22nd, 2006 at November 22, 2006 - 12:17 am