b'THE IMPACTOF THEVILLAGEBy Angela Johnson SutherlandI USED TO FEEL SO ISOLATED AT WORK. NO ADULT CONVERSATION. NO INTERACTIONWITH OTHERS. NO PLAY DATES. NO NOTHING. Sometimes it was so frustrating spending the day exclusively talking to a two-year-old only to play referee when the five-year-oldreturned home from school. Those days I remember getting so excited when the occasional parent showed up at the park while wewere there. Finally, someone to talk to. Not! We talked about the children, which was okay, but it was not the adult conversation Idesperately craved. It wasnt until the day I got hurt at work that I realized how alone I truly was. I had no village to call for backup, no community tolean on for support, and no special group of people ready to come to my rescue. I was in trouble and the only person I knew to callfor help was my husband. Of course he came and helped me until the parents returned home from work, then immediately took meto the doctor. I didnt know it then, but this would be the day that would change my life. Forever.18Spring 2020|NannyMag.com'