Sometimes, at one of these "tot playrooms" sprinkled here and there throughout San Francisco, I see a mom, or a nanny, sitting in the corner staring into space, obviously depressed. She's not making any effort to play with her child or charge. I can't even tell which little one she's caring for, because she's not looking in any particular direction.
What does one do in these situations? These women seem too cut off for even a casual conversation. But I know that I should try to brighten their day somehow. They probably haven't talked to anyone all day except their one or two-year-old. I've felt the weight of this kind of loneliness during these past sixteen months, and it's never easy. Sometimes, even a one-minute conversation with another adult helps me remember that life does go on outside the playroom, and there's a comfort in knowing that.
On the other hand...seriously depressed women shouldn't have the responsibility of caring for a young child...I feel more sorry for the child in those situations than for the adult, I must admit.
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