Raising children in Potomac...

[Anonymous]

to 821: ugh. Fine, defensive potomac mom. Of course, probs can happen anywhere-drugs. I've not heard of a lot of cutters and bulimics at Sidwell, although I'm sure they exist. My friend is currently counseling 3 cutters from churchill.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:to 821: ugh. Fine, defensive potomac mom. Of course, probs can happen anywhere-drugs. I've not heard of a lot of cutters and bulimics at Sidwell, although I'm sure they exist. My friend is currently counseling 3 cutters from churchill.

I am not being defensive at all and I do not live in Potomac. I am just saying you need to keep an open mind and know that problems are everywhere. Why would have heard of cutters elsewhere? If your source is at Churchill that is where they are seeing the issues. But they are everywhere, Wheaton, Springbrook, Holy Cross, Sidwell, Maret, Einstein, Wootton as are the eating disorders, ect. These problems are not strictly found at wealthy schools. Do you think the less well off kids do not have issues with peers, parents, bullys, life in general, body image issue, exposure to drugs?

And no, you typically do not hear about them so why would you be aware of the issues? Were you aware that there was a heroin problem at several Fairfax County High Schools? Probably not until you read in the news that a teenage girl died from an overdose. These issues are usually private and dealt with out of the public other than gossips or counselors that share private info.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't place the blame on the wealthy crowd as cutting, drugs, eating disorders can happen anywhere.

You are wrong. eating disorders are the disease of the wealthy. They do not appear in 3rd world countries or regions where there have been poverty. It really does not occur among the working class poor.
I was surprised when I found this out. I was researching the subject and read many books about anorexia and bulimia and found that out by accident.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't place the blame on the wealthy crowd as cutting, drugs, eating disorders can happen anywhere.

You are wrong. eating disorders are the disease of the wealthy. They do not appear in 3rd world countries or regions where there have been poverty. It really does not occur among the working class poor.
I was surprised when I found this out. I was researching the subject and read many books about anorexia and bulimia and found that out by accident.

What? I am not talking about a 3rd world country. I am talking about less well off schools in Montgomery County, DC and the such. A 3rd world country and middle/upper middle class schools do not compare. And yes, there are eating disorders in these schools. The teenage girls at these schools do not live in a shanty town with no running water or stable food supply. They may not be super elite wealthy but saying eating disorders do not happen in poverty has nothing to do with the topic of high schools in our area.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I live in D.C. and we, too, are contemplating a move to the 'burbs. My perception of Potomac is that, yes, of course there are many areas w/ families of mixed-income (meaning not in the millions per year).

However, I have heard, from friends who are child psychologists and counselors, that the school politics at Church Hill between "rich kids" and "upper middle class kids" is a nightmare. Lots of girls w/ eating disorders and cutting issues, lot of high-end drugs, drinking and other f*ed up behavior. Granted all schools have drugs, drinking other stuff, but Church Hill is above and beyond in attitude and entitlement. When kids are driving BMWs, Lexus' and Bends to school it's a tell tale sign that it's majorly f-ed up, imo. fwiw. GL.

Better cars at some publics than some privates. Some publics and privates have more students with conspicuous displays of wealth- cars, designer labels [Manolas at dances, 50000 sweet sixteens, tanning salons, cruises and vacations for many ]. Cathedral schools are the most low key on PDW. Fact is many don't have it -- that need blind admissions is not just rhetoric.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't place the blame on the wealthy crowd as cutting, drugs, eating disorders can happen anywhere.

You are wrong. eating disorders are the disease of the wealthy. They do not appear in 3rd world countries or regions where there have been poverty. It really does not occur among the working class poor.
I was surprised when I found this out. I was researching the subject and read many books about anorexia and bulimia and found that out by accident.

What? I am not talking about a 3rd world country. I am talking about less well off schools in Montgomery County, DC and the such. A 3rd world country and middle/upper middle class schools do not compare. And yes, there are eating disorders in these schools. The teenage girls at these schools do not live in a shanty town with no running water or stable food supply. They may not be super elite wealthy but saying eating disorders do not happen in poverty has nothing to do with the topic of high schools in our area.

Thank you, PP. I teach in one of the "Third World" schools, and I've seen plenty of eating disorders among the girls. Girls are girls, and eating disorders are control issues that cross over socioeconomic lines.

[Anonymous]

Right, PP. Like alcoholics do not exist is certain socioeconomic classes. It's a disease and eating disorders, drugs, self abuse does not discriminate.

I think the only difference may actually be the cause of the problem. I am sure I am stretching it a little but I would guess the cutting, drugs, eating disorders of wealthier kids are more "superficial" than the root causes of less well off kids. For example, my high school boyfriend cut his wrists for attention after his parents would not buy him the car of his choice. He has scars on his wrist to this day. And they ended up buying him the car. Serious cutting, attempt for attention, very superficial issue. They certainly did not live in Potomac.
My friend's daughter has an eating disorder. They live in inner city Chicago and are by no means wealthy by Potomac standards. Not poor either. Another friends teenager has a serious drug problem, they attended a mont co public HS in a middle class area. I could go on but I hope you see my point.

[Anonymous]

I live in Potomac and moved from NW. I would say affluent moms in both areas, as well as my friends in Arlington/McLean often have help even if they are SAHMs.

But there is a mix in Potomac of working and SAHMs, very affluent, to upper middle class, to somewhat middle class. If you do public schools you will meet a nice group of people (not that you wouldn't in private, but more of a mix in the public from what I have observed).

People are a bit rude at the Starbucks in the village, a bit too into the Juicy/status hand bag look. But honestly, affluent women in particular seem to find a way to demonstrate it one way or another. Patagonia and Range Rovers for some, Gucci bags and Mercedes for others. It really all is the same thing.

Good luck to you.

[Anonymous]

I am sure no one cares at this point, but all the times I have been at the Starbucks in the village, and there have been many, most of the people are in normal running clothes/other work out clothes. It is a gathering point for runners, bikers, walkers, and horse riders. I find many of the people in Potomac to be pretty physically fit.

I wear Nike and have a Nine West handbag -- yet people still seem to talk to me (LOL).

But admit I have seen a Juicy outfit a couple of times.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I live in Potomac and moved from NW. I would say affluent moms in both areas, as well as my friends in Arlington/McLean often have help even if they are SAHMs.

But there is a mix in Potomac of working and SAHMs, very affluent, to upper middle class, to somewhat middle class. If you do public schools you will meet a nice group of people (not that you wouldn't in private, but more of a mix in the public from what I have observed).

People are a bit rude at the Starbucks in the village, a bit too into the Juicy/status hand bag look. But honestly, affluent women in particular seem to find a way to demonstrate it one way or another. Patagonia and Range Rovers for some, Gucci bags and Mercedes for others. It really all is the same thing.

Good luck to you.

I agree with this, but add also that I've sensed a smugness to the closer in affluent people (NW, Chevy Chase, Bethesda), as if somehow their choice to remain close in, in "diverse" (guffaw) areas, sets them apart from those who flock to Potomac.

[Anonymous]

I agree with this, but add also that I've sensed a smugness to the closer in affluent people (NW, Chevy Chase, Bethesda), as if somehow their choice to remain close in, in "diverse" (guffaw) areas, sets them apart from those who flock to Potomac.

I couldn't agree with that statement more! Definite and palpable smugness towards those who live further out, despite the fact that these people themselves live in what I consider to be the suburbs as well.

[Anonymous]

How far is the commute from Potomac in the morning? And rush hour in the afternoon?

[Anonymous]

Potomac covers a wide areas so it depends. My commute to downtown DC is 20 minutes in light traffic; 30-40 minutes in moderate to heavy traffic. I just come down Clara Barton and through Georgetown. I never get near the beltway.

[Anonymous]

It's so funny how Potomac has this reputation of being a wealthy, snooty suburb, when many people move there nowadays because it's more affordable than closer-in suburbs like Chevy Chase or Bethesda. The reality is that your cost per square foot is less in Potomac so for many families desiring more space and a decent sized backyard, Potomac makes economic sense.

The thing is...there is a huge range of incomes in Potomac. The neighborhoods bordering Rockville (off Falls Road, between Wooton Parkway and Bells Mill) are really pretty modest...just normal 60's-70's era suburban tract housing. Once you get closer to the village (River and Falls intersection), the houses get larger and more expensive. I doubt that there would be many people like OP's SIL in the more modest sections of Potomac. To the OP, you should probably examine individual neighborhoods within Potomac before you make your decision.

[Anonymous]

PP mentions the "neighborhoods bordering Rockville"-- this is the area where I grew up, and my parents still live there. You can definitely get something affordable in the $800K range. I don't think it has the attitude (at all) that you seem to be concerned about. The school district would either be Churchill or Wootton depending on location.