A week in the life of an OTB parent

One of the very best aspects of community living for me is the support we get as parents - we have three primary-age kids. Now admittedly, we’re not always the social butterflies we look like this particular week, but it’s always the case that we can rely on our wonderful neighbours for support when we ask for it.

Monday
School asks for a range of scraps of fabric to be brought in for the children to make stuffed animals. Linda responds with a massive bag full of furry fabrics, and the teacher is so pleased he gives our son points in the school reward system. In the evening, we go out Scottish dancing while Tom babysits.

Tuesday
On the recommendation on Ruth, we’re off out to the theatre, skipping the usual OTB film night. Jeannie babysits, despite the late return home.

Wednesday
Kate and Buddy are up early to take our middle child to school, which is much appreciated as our kids are currently split between two different schools in opposite directions. After school, Martin gives each of our kids an individual music lesson on the instruments they’ve each expressed interest in.

Thursday
Paul and Mambo take our boys to cubs. Afterwards, our eldest reads his favourite book in bed, Hares in the Moonlight, by Sharron Kraus, which he discovered when she read it over zoom to the community’s kids during the first lockdown.

Friday
Jane collects our middle child from school, giving him more of the one-to-one time with adults that he loves. Then it’s communal tea - a massive feast for all of us, and the kids divide their attention between the others kids present, and the adults who always love talking to them. Afterwards, Tom babysits while we go with Catriona for a wonderful ceilidh.

Saturday
After finding out that one of the members of the ceilidh band last night runs a singing class, I send a message round the community asking if anyone could babysit on Wednesday evenings for the next eight weeks. Straight away I get loads of messages of encouragement, and six separate offers of babysitting. I sign up.

Sunday
The kids have some free time to play in the grounds. While roaming between their various dens, they have lots of chats with different members of the community as they pass by.