Original printed signature: Donnie Lottes
Do you suffer from hallucinations about wall-to-wall children? Does it seem as if there is no one left in the World but you and little people less than two feet high? Is your vocabulary drifting back into two syllable words, like MaMa, DaDa and NoNo: Do you have nightmares about playdough stuck eternally to corduroy crawlers? Do you find yourself dialing Time and Temperature, just to hear another adult voice? Does a trip to the dentist require all the careful planning of a general about to enter combat? Do you cry a lot? Well, ladies, those are just a few of the symptoms of “Cabin Fever”, a malady which strikes many young mothers who find themselves constantly in the company of the infant and toddler set.
In our community “Cabin Fever” is not a must: Today, young mothers are using new and innovative methods of treatment.
First off, we have the Baby Pools and Toddler Traders (organized and run much like our county-cousins run their car pools.) Two or three mothers band together on a “I’ll take yours today — you take mine tomorrow” basis. If you find this concept of saving your sanity appealing, call Jody Creighton (863-3037) and she can tell you how her group was organized, and may even be able to put you in touch with other interested mothers!
A variation of the same idea has been started by Ann Martin ([unclear in source]-3138) and nine other young mothers. They have organized a school-type group for their children which meets once a week, with the mothers taking turns teaching and coping.
Grace Methodist Church offers a real life-saver for mothers who want an occasional day out to shop, do volunteer work or just sit and listen to the silence. Their “Stay and Play” School, under the direction of Marlene Mestres, is open each Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Any age child is welcome, crib size on up, for only $1.00 for the whole day, or 50¢ for a half day.
A long-time friend of the community, Delmar Baptist Church, has a tuition-free Pre-School for three and four year olds, under the direction of Mrs. Humphery (725- 2311). At the present time they have a capacity enrollment, but it’s always nice to be thinking ahead.
Grace Methodist also houses a long-established Pre-School for three and four year olds, on a tuition basis. They are up to their total enrollment of 24 for this year, but if you’d like more details, why not: call. Betty Klinefelter, the director?
Another interesting adventure in education is The Neighborhood School (also housed at Grace Church). This school is based on the ungraded primary approach, for three to seven year olds. Their director, Ann Manganero, says they have a flexible tuition and have room for a few more children in the six to seven year-old age group.
So, if you find yourself treading water in the middle of the living room reach for the phone, – somebody out there can help you:
Originally published in The Paper, October–November 1972.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1972_10.pdf, printed page 5.
