Babble

I thought I'd start a thread about good ol' NYC. 

I have lived here for 15 years and had my first baby in 2000.  I never thought raising a baby in the city would be so amazing, but it is.  I actually love playground culture, chatting w/ other parents  and getting a moment on a bench to soak in the sun and watch my kids play and socialize.

 I discovered that NYC parents can be a little annoying.  I remember clearly, when my first dd was 1 1/2 playing at the now closed Playspace on the upper west side, when a woman asked me what school my dd goes to?  She doesn't, I answered.  She asked, where will she go next year?  I said, nowhere!  She stays home with me!

I am grossed out by the over-scheduling, raising a super baby with super abilities mind-set.  Each neighborhood is different but as a whole this type of parenting is common.  Are you a NYC parent like this?

I guess I am not.  I almost got caught up in it when looking for a K for my first dd, but the fever broke and I am back to reality. 
 

I agree with the over-scheduling, but I find that classes are really important (especially in the winter). Not only do the classes get us out of the house (apartment actually...and on the small side!) but it give my little one the opportunity to play with other children and allows me to meet other parents/caregivers so that I can set up playdates for him.

I'm impressed that you don't/haven't gotten caught up in the school frenzy. I am a few years away from that, but I'm already worried. As someone who always believed her children would go to public school just like their mama, I'm not sure how you do that in NYC...

I love having a baby in NYC, but I admit that one of the things I love about it is all the opportunities to do activities, classes, etc. with my daughter.  For me it's not about competition or anything like that, it's just that it's fun to have lots to do with her.

I definitely think the school frenzy is crazy.

Jabs