stuff around childcare
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aelfgifu Carlson
Mar 27, 2011, 4:01:58 AM3/27/11
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This was written awhile ago and I got shy about sending it, so I apologize if this is no longer the case.
Hi ya'll. I decided I wanted to stop coming to organizing meetings for awhile because I'm having some issues. The reason is that I can't really attend any classes if there is not adequate childcare in place. Therefore attending organizing meetings on my only day off didn't seem the best use of my time. While there is a childcare committee and it says childcare is provided, it seems to me that some serious considerations have been overlooked. The lack of a space, the lack of volunteers, child safety guidelines being given to facilitators. I have said that I didn't want to be on the commitee because I do childcare all the time and I want to do something else when I have the chance. Yet I feel like in meetings, it is mostly me advocating for these things, putting issues on the agenda, trying to organize a workparty for the KOWA space, trying to recruit volunteers(making anouncements at potluck to get volunteers to sign up, the most logical time to do so), and still I see very little happening. Recently I made calls to other organizations to find out the legality of doing childcare, these are all things the childcare commitee could have done. There needs to be a hearty base of volunteers or if people are requesting childcare they may be turned down because no one is available. Making announcements regularly to try to recruit for childcare needs to happen. Childsafing spaces-I couldn't have my children watched in the KOWA space or anywhere in Media Island unless it was child-safed and what about childcare in other places where classes happen? The list I made of child-safing guidelines could be copied and given to facilitators at potlucks. I really felt that I brought these issues up all the time but after 2 months of coming to meetings I hadn't attended a single class because I was still waiting on safety measures and space issues to be cleared up. I really appreciate that childcare is even suggested as a part of free school, but alot more work needs to be done around it. I guess it makes sense that I would be pushing for these things as the only parent of young children in the group to date, but that is an everyone for themselves mentality that does not reflect anti-capitalist values. I often feel like what I'm saying is unheard and I can't see participating in it when I have so little time. I wonder if you're aware of the multitude of alienating factors for parents in radical communities. Not the least of which is use of the term breeder. Lack of child-safe spaces is another. The general attitude that kids are the parent's problem, that they are a problem, and how parents and children are ignored and insulted. There are reasons why you see so few parents and kids at radical events. And at free school classes. Out of sight , out of mind. Well here are some zines that might help you understand what prevents us from being involved-the Future Generation by China Martins, Don't Leave your Freinds Behind by Vicki Law. And thanks for all you are doing-aelfgifu
Hi ya'll. I decided I wanted to stop coming to organizing meetings for awhile because I'm having some issues. The reason is that I can't really attend any classes if there is not adequate childcare in place. Therefore attending organizing meetings on my only day off didn't seem the best use of my time. While there is a childcare committee and it says childcare is provided, it seems to me that some serious considerations have been overlooked. The lack of a space, the lack of volunteers, child safety guidelines being given to facilitators. I have said that I didn't want to be on the commitee because I do childcare all the time and I want to do something else when I have the chance. Yet I feel like in meetings, it is mostly me advocating for these things, putting issues on the agenda, trying to organize a workparty for the KOWA space, trying to recruit volunteers(making anouncements at potluck to get volunteers to sign up, the most logical time to do so), and still I see very little happening. Recently I made calls to other organizations to find out the legality of doing childcare, these are all things the childcare commitee could have done. There needs to be a hearty base of volunteers or if people are requesting childcare they may be turned down because no one is available. Making announcements regularly to try to recruit for childcare needs to happen. Childsafing spaces-I couldn't have my children watched in the KOWA space or anywhere in Media Island unless it was child-safed and what about childcare in other places where classes happen? The list I made of child-safing guidelines could be copied and given to facilitators at potlucks. I really felt that I brought these issues up all the time but after 2 months of coming to meetings I hadn't attended a single class because I was still waiting on safety measures and space issues to be cleared up. I really appreciate that childcare is even suggested as a part of free school, but alot more work needs to be done around it. I guess it makes sense that I would be pushing for these things as the only parent of young children in the group to date, but that is an everyone for themselves mentality that does not reflect anti-capitalist values. I often feel like what I'm saying is unheard and I can't see participating in it when I have so little time. I wonder if you're aware of the multitude of alienating factors for parents in radical communities. Not the least of which is use of the term breeder. Lack of child-safe spaces is another. The general attitude that kids are the parent's problem, that they are a problem, and how parents and children are ignored and insulted. There are reasons why you see so few parents and kids at radical events. And at free school classes. Out of sight , out of mind. Well here are some zines that might help you understand what prevents us from being involved-the Future Generation by China Martins, Don't Leave your Freinds Behind by Vicki Law. And thanks for all you are doing-aelfgifu
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Russ Frizzell
Mar 27, 2011, 3:24:03 PM3/27/11
to olyfre...@googlegroups.com
Dear aelfgifu,
I appreciate the difficulty, Jules was born the same time I became an activist. We have dragged him to events all his life and he has little say in the proceedings. Parents are the ones with vested interest in the future and we are usually not considered in the decision making. Contradiction is part of being an activist. Our classes at the Muldership have child space and reasonably safe, (We have a fun loving 8 mo. old indoor kitten). Perfectly safe is an illusion I can't claim but maybe you can come see for yourself 2407 Elliott Ave NW. Any improvements or suggestions are always welcome here. Peace, Russ --- On Sun, 3/27/11, aelfgifu Carlson <aelf...@wildmail.com> wrote: |
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