Six moms share how they struggled to decide whether to move closer to family for support and child care.
Centuries ago, we lived in multi-family, multi-generational villages where everyone pitched in with everything — from caregiving to cooking. That’s a far cry from modern life, in which technology allows many of us to live and work across the world from our loved ones. Before having children, this privacy and distance may feel freeing. But after having kids, some couples find the isolation and lack of familial support difficult, especially if they struggle to find a community they can rely on for child care. These challenges lead some parents to consider moving closer to relatives. But living near family members is not always what it’s cracked up to be. In some cases, a move has led to parents to regret moving closer to family.
We spoke to six parents who struggled with deciding whether to move closer to family for more support. Four of those we interviewed ultimately decided against moving while two others took the leap. Here, these real parents share whether they regret moving — or not moving — closer to family and the lessons they’ve learned along the way.
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