Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Kids Vs Elders: Aging In Place

[Sharon Villines (sharon]

On Apr 9, 2006, at 12:13 PM, Rob Sandelin wrote:

> There is a difference in tolerance to noise. Parents are more used to 
> loud,
> energetic kids, its what they live with 24/7 and so to them, the kid 
> energy
> is just normal ambient background. To non-parents, its much different. 
> And
> of course, there are differences between parents.

Parents also have a different reference point.

One of our parents who 7 months ago adopted a VERY HIGH energy almost 3 
year old with a very high pitched voice said,

"Before I had a kid I couldn't understand why parents didn't control 
their kids during dinner. Now all I think about is how glad I am to 
have a minute to myself to talk to other adults. I'm too tired to run 
around and keep her quiet. The noise is easier than the alternative."

Sharon
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Sharon Villines
Takoma Village Cohousing, Washington DC
http://www.takomavillage.org