Dear Eric: This is in response to Present Not Accounted For, who questioned the convenience of having “babysitters” in the letter-writer’s current location, and then asked “Who needs babysitters?”

Who needs babysitters? Parents with kids! Parents after divorce who consider the proximity to kids who can watch their children responsibly as one of their main criteria when choosing a new place to live!

Dear Reader: I agree, to an extent. The letter-writer was, to my mind, weighing the options available for their own happiness. Naturally, that happiness will be connected to the happiness of their kids. But the needs of the kids and the needs of the parent aren’t in conflict here.

When making life changes, finding a path that benefits the whole system is the ideal.

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Send questions to R. Eric Thomas at [email protected] or P.O. Box 22474, Philadelphia, PA 19110. Follow him on Instagram and sign up for his weekly newsletter at rericthomas.com.