It is wonderful when we can rely on extended kin (or friend) networks to support us through the challenging childbearing years, but it is a major failure of modern American society that this is one of the only support networks available to families. It is astounding to me -- and frustrating, infuriating, etc -- that every family I know is scrambling to figure out their own individual solution to the very same work/family struggles. It's like each of us has to reinvent the wheel, and so it feels like we're all riding along in very wobbly carts (not sure that this analogy works, but hopefully you get my drift).
It is wonderful when we can rely on extended kin (or friend) networks to support us through the challenging childbearing years, but it is a major failure of modern American society that this is one of the only support networks available to families. It is astounding to me -- and frustrating, infuriating, etc -- that every family I know is scrambling to figure out their own individual solution to the very same work/family struggles. It's like each of us has to reinvent the wheel, and so it feels like we're all riding along in very wobbly carts (not sure that this analogy works, but hopefully you get my drift).