There are many things that we really enjoy about living in China. I think that one of the things that we often take for granted is our neighborhood. We live in a gated community (which actually has less to do with safety and more about preventing theft). But this provides a very safe environment for our kids. They often get home from school and go out searching for friends. They have a lot of freedom that would not be possible in the US. For example, this morning our front door seemed like a revolving door with kids in and out. At one point, I counted 5 kids that weren't ours. Since there is only one international school on our side of the city, most of the kids that live here are also classmates of our kids. All the moms pitch in and look out for the kids. Really makes it feel like what community should be. And what it used to be in the US. How did we lose that?
Two words - child predators. It's really sad that it can't be more safe here. I'm glad Becca is enjoying the freedom of your neighborhood! :)
ReplyDeleteLori, I agree with you that it is incredibly sad. But while we are here, you can bet that all of our kids will enjoy this amazing freedom that they have. Just made me long for a bit of my childhood of roaming the woods with a friend (not that there are woods in China, but you get my point).
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