Maybe, I guess that depends on you. For my own part I view it as a social responsibility (social? civic?).
And I don't just mean babysitting ... other people's kids need care sometimes into their 20s. And sometimes helping take care of the parent is the most direct way to help the kid.
Yes, very good points and I appreciate the call to action. It's the right curative to random whining.
I have tried to take a role in the lives of my nephews. I only wish they lived closer and weren't so over-programmed. I envy the family across the road. The 40 year old son still lives at home with his parents (I'm sure he's an old-school, old-world perpetual bachelor gay man). His brother with his family live just down the street. The uncle walks the kids to school in the morning and often looks after them after work.
My family is so dispersed (my brother lives in Vaughan) that we only seem to meet up once a month. Still, I've had some great times recently when I helped my younger nephew with a video project for school and he ended up hanging out for the day. When they're a bit older, I'd like to take them for little vacations.
Of course, now that they're keeping Kosher, even that's become complicated!
Hmm that sounds suspiciously like Ilari. Are you on P Sq?
Perhaps investigate SOY Toronto? I mean that's both "caring for other people's children" AND "caring for our own". Or is the need specifically to look after little kids?
I'm not on P. Square, no. I love that square. It was, at one point, the central square of the village. I like to imagine that when I walk through.
I suppose I mean the whole experience of raising a child from infant to adult. To go through those years and experience that bond, that responsibility and that mutual learning.
In terms of mentoring, I would at some point in the not distant future like to find a way to help young artists find their voices. Either musicians or writers.
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Date: 2008-12-02 04:20 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-12-02 04:30 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-12-02 04:45 pm (UTC)And I don't just mean babysitting ... other people's kids need care sometimes into their 20s. And sometimes helping take care of the parent is the most direct way to help the kid.
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Date: 2008-12-02 05:32 pm (UTC)I have tried to take a role in the lives of my nephews. I only wish they lived closer and weren't so over-programmed. I envy the family across the road. The 40 year old son still lives at home with his parents (I'm sure he's an old-school, old-world perpetual bachelor gay man). His brother with his family live just down the street. The uncle walks the kids to school in the morning and often looks after them after work.
My family is so dispersed (my brother lives in Vaughan) that we only seem to meet up once a month. Still, I've had some great times recently when I helped my younger nephew with a video project for school and he ended up hanging out for the day. When they're a bit older, I'd like to take them for little vacations.
Of course, now that they're keeping Kosher, even that's become complicated!
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Date: 2008-12-02 05:50 pm (UTC)Perhaps investigate SOY Toronto? I mean that's both "caring for other people's children" AND "caring for our own". Or is the need specifically to look after little kids?
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Date: 2008-12-02 09:08 pm (UTC)I suppose I mean the whole experience of raising a child from infant to adult. To go through those years and experience that bond, that responsibility and that mutual learning.
In terms of mentoring, I would at some point in the not distant future like to find a way to help young artists find their voices. Either musicians or writers.
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Date: 2008-12-03 12:11 am (UTC)I'd tell you to adopt me, but I think my parents wouldn't like that very much. ;-)
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Date: 2008-12-03 02:49 pm (UTC)But let's see: you're moody, but you're creative and know how to cook. Yeah, okay. Apply with my secretary.
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Date: 2008-12-03 05:29 pm (UTC):-P
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Date: 2008-12-03 05:38 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-12-03 08:30 pm (UTC)