A lovely essay, and I totally agree with your points. However, it is hard when you cannot live in the countryside. We bought a house with a quiet, safe lane behind the houses, which was ideal for kids to pay in, but none of the other parents allowed their kids out on their own. My only child could find no local playmates. She also had restricted access to technology, and while she rebelled at the time, she is now (at 20) grateful.
We've raised our kids in both urban East Vancouver and here in the Fraser Valley. It was definitely easier here than there in many ways - mostly that they could wander much more freely. More challenging as they got older in that we have less services close by, no public transit and big distances between our home and their friend's places.
Glad to hear she is grateful for those tough choices. It is so hard in the moment to face our kids' disappointment, just have to trust that you're making the right decision in the long run. ❣️
Thanks for your reply, and lovely support. Teenagers in rural places (as I was) can find it hard, and the parents have to be a taxi service! In the UK kids drive later due to the cost of cars, and fuel.
A lovely essay, and I totally agree with your points. However, it is hard when you cannot live in the countryside. We bought a house with a quiet, safe lane behind the houses, which was ideal for kids to pay in, but none of the other parents allowed their kids out on their own. My only child could find no local playmates. She also had restricted access to technology, and while she rebelled at the time, she is now (at 20) grateful.
We've raised our kids in both urban East Vancouver and here in the Fraser Valley. It was definitely easier here than there in many ways - mostly that they could wander much more freely. More challenging as they got older in that we have less services close by, no public transit and big distances between our home and their friend's places.
Glad to hear she is grateful for those tough choices. It is so hard in the moment to face our kids' disappointment, just have to trust that you're making the right decision in the long run. ❣️
Thanks for your reply, and lovely support. Teenagers in rural places (as I was) can find it hard, and the parents have to be a taxi service! In the UK kids drive later due to the cost of cars, and fuel.