Living in the City with Kids

Some people would say that Bloorwest/High Park is not living in the city but it is. To get downtown it takes 15 minutes. Ok there is a caveat, it depends on time of day and if it's rush hour of course! Nevertheless, Bloorwest is downtown living with a suburban feel. I look out my window and don't see skyscrapers but houses, schools, parks, families and lots of kids.


I guess this is why I am so freaked out that there is a drug dealer that lives right on my street. The police are well aware of him and keep a watchful eye; the neighbors told me that he has gone away to jail for a few summers but he keeps on coming back. I definitely question the judicial system if a drug dealer is set free in a community filled with vulnerable kids and lots of schools. 


My neighbors and I have discussed the situation on many an occasion, all of us frequenting the parks that are in the area, including the school yards. 


We've all seen evidence of drugs in the schools via the playground litter. It scares the heck out of me to think that my children will be going to these schools and already play in these playgrounds. This is where I am reminded that I live in the city. That and I see some of the kids from the high schools making their way to the home of the drug dealer.


I'm filled with questions - will that be my child one day? Will that be someone else's child that is attending the party that my child is going to?


How do you remove your child's exposure to the accessibility of drugs? When do you start to teach them about drugs? 


I'm not sure I have the answer to all these questions but only hope that with the support of friends, the moms within momstown and family, I will be able to manage this challenge when it comes my way.