24: Here’s how I dodged the bullet of becoming a soccer mom

Tomorrow will be the 10-year anniversary of my becoming a mom. (In other words, my oldest son is turning 10!) Because we made the early-on decision to remain without a car after we had kids, so many modern-day assumptions have been thrown into sharp relief.

Without a car, pampering doesn’t have (as much) space in our lives. Here are some examples.

* All walking-abled kids in our household had to use their legs for transportation. All our kids are excellent walkers. Kids whining about walking is just not something we’re used to hearing.
* For logistical reasons, ALL activities must be within walking/biking distance. This has had the added benefit that by the age of 9–10 they can go to all their activities by themselves. No being a soccer mom for me!

Not having a car hasn’t necessarily made our lives easier. But it has definitely added spice. It has shown the kids what is possible with their own two legs, German public transportation, and a little bit of carsharing. We have LOTS of train, biking, hiking adventures behind us. (In fact, we’re on a boating adventure right now, which we got to by train and bus).