When I was a child, we lived next door to a family with kids our age. On the other side of their house was another family with kids our age. Our parents all became friends and are friends to this day, despite each family eventually moving away from the block. For years, we all had bonfires on our driveway in a round steel grill that someone dragged out from their garage. We went camping together at Jellystone Park. All of us kids road bikes around the block, and we played kickball in the lot behind our houses, occasionally getting yelled at by the old man whose property it was.
I moved to NYC with a 1 yr old. 12 years later I left with a 13, 9, and 1 year old. It's too fucking hard to do family and your art. I had to decide. Sessions (jazz) at Smoke (Upper West Side) at night after a full-time teaching gig? Or seeing my kid. I had a paper route at 23rd St and the FDR for a YEAR. Trying to make ends meet. 20 hour days. Finally, I gave up on my dreams. NYC was better to me in so many ways than I could've imagined. But ultimately, I chose my family over my art, and we moved back to Tennessee. And I regret it. JK, mostly I don't. Sometimes I do, tho.
loved the beginning. i am not a mother and it has everything to do with not having a partner, and wanting everything. the intensive parenting that is expected of parents these days, largely two parent households with two incomes, seems like a cupcake of misogyny. having a day job and doing comedy and parenting! wow.
These are stories so interesting to read. Great writing! I'm looking forward to the next post!
Another great piece, Rachel!
I moved to NYC with a 1 yr old. 12 years later I left with a 13, 9, and 1 year old. It's too fucking hard to do family and your art. I had to decide. Sessions (jazz) at Smoke (Upper West Side) at night after a full-time teaching gig? Or seeing my kid. I had a paper route at 23rd St and the FDR for a YEAR. Trying to make ends meet. 20 hour days. Finally, I gave up on my dreams. NYC was better to me in so many ways than I could've imagined. But ultimately, I chose my family over my art, and we moved back to Tennessee. And I regret it. JK, mostly I don't. Sometimes I do, tho.
loved the beginning. i am not a mother and it has everything to do with not having a partner, and wanting everything. the intensive parenting that is expected of parents these days, largely two parent households with two incomes, seems like a cupcake of misogyny. having a day job and doing comedy and parenting! wow.
Well, you're funny, too (see my previous comment). Looking forward to your show this weekend at The Bend in West Bend.
I've been binge reading these tonight. You're an honest and wonderful writer. Absolutely terrific.