With the warmer weather, the Watchdog has returned to the Upper West Side of Manhattan to observe the passing parade through walking about the streets and Central Park and often from glass enclosed sidewalk restaurants.
One thing that strikes his eye is the different relationship between parents and caregivers accompanying young children. It is apparent who is who almost at a glance in most cases.
The warmth and communications between parents and their children is readily apparent. Mothers ‘chirp’ at infants as they push them in carriages or strollers. Fathers and young children walk close together, often hold hands and exchanges comments.
There is a perceptible chasm between children and the caregivers. They walk further apart. They don’t converse hardly at all. Often the caregiver is talking on a cell phone or with another caregiver. For them it is a job; not an instinct.
Is there an effect left on the child from early years of loving attention or from a sense of emotional isolation? If so, does the former cause them to be more sociable or the latter make them stronger?
This much we can say: We enjoy observing fathers and mothers with their children. Instinctively we feel it has great value for both, now and for the future.
