Finding community is such an interesting process, for me, it blew up alot of my preconceptions. I was living in Chicago and didn't like how greedy everyone was with raising their children---everything was private this, private that --to ensure the wee one got the best care so he/she could get into the best school. It was really snobbish actually.

Then I went to a smaller town where my parents are for various reasons, but I thought things would be more layed back and mutual. Well, this is where the state University is so I am encountering the same agressive over educating urge in parents as I did in Chicago. Very competitve parents and snobby bcause they are in higher education--they atuomatically expect their 3 year old to be in gifted programs.

I am starting to feel segragated bcause I dont' want to compete with these people, and I can see how one day, my child won't be friends with some of them once their kids go into gifted classes because these are the types of parents who would segregate their child from those not in an accelerated program.

It's also a multi-cultural environment bcause of the University, there are alot of Asians, East Indians, African....but honestly, theee are very segregated communities here. They keep their cultures closed off from one another, very family insular oriented. The city there was more mingling, but I am shocked here how people just don't hang out with each other.

I just wanted to comment since this has been weighin my heart this past weekend, and I am looking for alternatives to this environment.

I want something better for my child to experience. Smart parents don't translate into good parenting, and I can feel myself craving more nurturing and respectful people.

Thanks for sharing!