All the streets of Rome are a labyrinth of cobblestones, sometimes less than ten feet across, a Fiat easily filling the space in mass lined with tabacchi shops, gelatorias, trattorias, bars— scooters, taxis, meat trucks— all barely slowing as they pass your shared alley/walkway/roadway.
And all this I was used to, having lived in Italy before.
And yet—
I have been a mother for almost a decade now, and still I did not anticipate the anxiety I would feel from having to be responsible for leading two children around the streets of Rome.
Every morning we put on our shoes. We put on our coats. We ready ourselves for the world outside our building. We exit the campo de’ Fiori, and we brave the streets with enthusiasm, for whatever desitnation we have in mind. But, by lunch we are exhausted. On the streets we are playing frogger, continuously dodging traffic. In the large piazzas we let go, but then it is a game of where’s Waldo, keeping track of one another is the challenge of the moment.
This is varsity level parenting for anyone who is prone to any level of anxiety.
I’m glad we are up for the challenge.
I am also glad we have copious amounts of cheese, wine, salami, and gelato. These things help the anxiety level return to normal.
Ciao from all of us. We are feeling a bit homesick. It helps to tell you that things are not always perfect here, but that we are facing the challenges head-on.
-Rachel
And all this I was used to, having lived in Italy before.
And yet—
I have been a mother for almost a decade now, and still I did not anticipate the anxiety I would feel from having to be responsible for leading two children around the streets of Rome.
Every morning we put on our shoes. We put on our coats. We ready ourselves for the world outside our building. We exit the campo de’ Fiori, and we brave the streets with enthusiasm, for whatever desitnation we have in mind. But, by lunch we are exhausted. On the streets we are playing frogger, continuously dodging traffic. In the large piazzas we let go, but then it is a game of where’s Waldo, keeping track of one another is the challenge of the moment.
This is varsity level parenting for anyone who is prone to any level of anxiety.
I’m glad we are up for the challenge.
I am also glad we have copious amounts of cheese, wine, salami, and gelato. These things help the anxiety level return to normal.
Ciao from all of us. We are feeling a bit homesick. It helps to tell you that things are not always perfect here, but that we are facing the challenges head-on.
-Rachel
No comments:
Post a Comment