Gentrifying the Hood of Motherhood

How gentrification is affecting me as a mother.

I knew that becoming a parent meant taking on the responsibility of someone else as far making sure they eat on a daily basis, bathing them for obvious health reasons and sending them to school so they can learn…stuff.

At first, the milestones seemed simple and easy to accomplish. My child learned how to walk, how to use the potty, and even how to speak in complete sentences — an accomplishment even for adults. Once kids get the basics down, you feel a sense of relief as if this whole parenting thing is a breeze and giving them a sibling sounds like a fantastic idea, sooner than later. However, as they get older, you realize that this is a trap and you’re now stuck figuring out the life of someone else when you can barely figure out your own.

“With every new candle added to their birthday cake comes an entire year of new things to stress about. “

When my child was a newborn and even as a toddler, I chose a place to live based on two main things: affordability and safety. Now that she is eight and entering the third grade, a third factor has been added, a good school district. Sounds very black and white right? Choose an area with the best schools. Even though it’s not that easy it is…