tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8356172021011982860.post1539188485981737007..comments2012-03-30T00:46:13.132-07:00Comments on Parenting expert. Not.: And Mother makes five....Hollie Smithhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08150717818239464169noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8356172021011982860.post-77394785245347980172012-03-30T00:46:13.132-07:002012-03-30T00:46:13.132-07:00A very enviable situation, in many way. This is w...A very enviable situation, in many way. This is what I'd envisaged would happen with my own mum but illness took over and she died 7 years ago. <br /><br />I was interested in James' comment as I have German connections and this is exactly how my own grandmother embraced the family - the house was always an extension of family and always welcoming and inviting. It was the place to feel safe in and you could easily imagine the house being extended to fit more family in if it was on its own land.Nickie O'Harahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13945338904756339422noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8356172021011982860.post-18165161077055798612012-03-29T10:09:56.011-07:002012-03-29T10:09:56.011-07:00This is something that I've thought about a lo...This is something that I've thought about a lot - we lived in Germany where it is entirely normal for extended families to live together; the whole German mortgage system is based upon this.<br /><br />My (widowed) mum lives with us on a Thursday and Friday to look after the boys whilst Katharine works; and although she's only 69 and her health's fine, eventually she'll need help, we all do.<br /><br />She unfortunately only had boys, and so frankly this was always going to be my gig as although my brother is caring, kind and sensitive - my mum and his wife don't get on at all. Apart from anything else, I owe her 19 years of care (and a ton of money, natch).<br /><br />My mum's adamant that she doesn't want to be a burden, and that we should shut her in a home when the time comes. But at Christmas as a favour for a friend who's a Beaver leader, I had to play guitar in an old people's home whilst the kids sang carols. Now this home is veeery expensive, in Chalfont St. Peter with views over the common, caring staff, spotlessly clean etc. But was, without question, the bleakest place I have ever visited... It was hateful - like some kind of lavender-scented prison for the confused.<br /><br />Apart from anything else, it'd be ace to have a babysitter on tap!<br /><br />JamesJames Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14961663012827331549noreply@blogger.com