Marci talked with Rev John yesterday. Talking about how motherhood is so hard. Rev John's has 2 daughters who just had babies, and one is dealing with an out-of-control toddler plus a newborn who's had jaundice, croup, etc etc.
Discussion covered how isolating it is to be a new mother. How our society, our communities don't have anything to integrate young kids and families into a greater whole.
Marci mentioned our idea of how bringing old people and young together into a people-centered environment could benefit the retired, young families and their children.
Rev John thought it was a genius idea. Bringing three groups of people who are isolated together, serving one another.
He thought we should try it at our church first, and he's bringing it up at the next meeting.
The main idea:
A people-center, that elders of our community could volunteer at.
Parents bring their young children by for an alternative to day-care/ pre-school. Since we've got such a mobile society, all too often, grandparents are far from their grandchildren. This is a way for them to care for the kids who are close by, and hopefully, once this idea takes off, similar-minded retired folk can look after their grandkids.
Benefits for the retired: Spend time with peers. Spend time with the young. Share skills, wisdom, knowledge accumulated over the years. From a standpoint of giving back to the community, providing time and love for those who need it.
Benefits for the parents: Community-based alternative to daycare/ preschool. Knowing that kids spending time with people without a financial motive. (Yes, I know people don't enter child-care business to get rich.) Get deeper involvement with others in the church and community.
Benefits for the kids. They get devoted caretakers, with patience and wisdom. They can hear great stories, learn cool skills, play music, sing, make art, etc from people who love to share their abilities. They learn how retired people are a vital and integral part of society.
Essentially, this center becomes a sort of "village-well" where everyone goes to meet up, catch up on news of the day, touch base with others and look after each other.
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