Anyone living in or previously lived in an intentional community ?

[RosemaryandThyme]

Hello, I live in an intentinal community and am wondering if anyone else does or did ?
Ours is a community for the education and welfare of it's members, of which there are about 9 families (plus a few floating extras) living in an collection of houses and a main maor house in a rural hamlet - anyone else in a similar position ?

LeBOF, you're ruining a special Christmas memory for me!

Although, upon reflection, shitting is quite Chrismassy really. Isn't it in Spain they have a thing for shitting at Christmas?

And I'd also opine shitting on an aga is preferably to in a microwave. AIBU?

Im quite curious about what type of science is going on in the labs...and what type of labs?

How in the hell did we go from cults intentional communities to shitting? Poo troll has a lot to answer for. Talking of trolls...

I thought I was the only one worrying about the labs.

Aw, I miss Extended.

Too many of that type of film as a child sarahstratton

wouldnt fancy my car breaking down on a dark rainy night near that "hamlet"

Urrghh that Torchwood. We have watched too many of those films.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caganer

That is the Spanish shitting man, for Ditzy.

Rosemary, how often do you see your own family these days?

my parents' commune was definitely a cult - they were Premis (Divine Light Mission) & we had pictures of Guru Maharaji everywhere, satsang trays, meditation rooms, little bottles of the glitter they used to spray at the crowds at festivals, 'conferences' where they would be extra strange people around getting stoned & we'd be turfed out of our beds for them etc.

I hated it because the dads sat around stoned the entire time while the mums worked 20 hours a day - grinding their own flour, milking goats, gardening, making remedies, hand washing, sewing etc - so we were basically left to our own devices which produced something like Lord of the Flies. I hated not having my own space or my own stuff (e.g. our clothes pretty soon became whoever it fitted could wear it), I hated not being able to eat what I wanted (or make requests for food). I hated having weird people I didn't know around, the adults would often go off to festivals & leave a friend of a friend's cousin in charge - I particularly remember a complete stranger officiating over my 8th birthday party while my parents were off "receiving Knowledge". I remember loads of arguments & couples splitting up. No one earned money - I think they were dope dealers, can't imagine where the income came from otherwise. Bunch of narcissistic layabouts.

I'm in facebook contact with 1 (out of 25ish) other child who was there at the same time as me; we both have ishooos about it

Thank you!

I also have a soft spot for the other Spanish Christmas poo traditional, the shitting Advent Log

"Not sure why everyone thinks there is lots of bonking going on."

Possibly because of your comment of 17:08:38, OP -
"yes it can become quite insular - the bed-hopping is just casually accepted here"

Rosemary&Thyme - are you happy? You don't sound happy. You sound as if you are now questioning what you have previously accepted. And you are on here looking for a reality check, what those outside of your community think.

And I cannot help but notice that those who grew up in artificial communities do not regard them fondly. Is that what you are worried about? The children you are raising in this environment?

i'll take the kibbutz style of community living, far more equal and healthy and a great place for kids. Almost broke my heart when i left.

I would worry for the DCs. I don't think it healthy that they might want to join the scouts and it has to be a long debate. It is quite simple-ask the DC -yes or no!

Sounds like an episode of Lost, labs, maths, science, men out working, women at 'home' making babies, bed hopping etc

It's admirable that OP is answering queries & rising above the usual (some comedic) retorts, although it does sound like she's buried her head in the sand to some aspects.

Personally I don't have the kind of personality to live in this way, people annoy me too much and DH is too anti social. I couldn't bear the thought of DD being brought up in a bubble where other people 'dictate' what she can & can't do. That aspect particularly sounds v unhealthy, deciding children can't attend local community groups reeks of paranoia & insecurity.

It's very interesting to have an insight into another way of life just not one I'd choose for me & mine.

I only have one question for OP - are you happy?

The extreme gender divide sounds odd and not in tune with the new age communities I know of (not that I have lived in one). It sounds awful on that basis.

Andrewofgg that sounds very familiar.. : )

Atomant is right. It does sound suspiciously like lost...

I quite like the idea but then I would love to join the Amish - well, if they had an English group!

Not sure I would dare make the leap (responsibilities here) but I like the community idea.

believe me, its NOT fun as a kid to see your parents bed hopping and feel like a freak compared to normal people!

ditziness hmmm maybe the key is to only live communally with vegetarian lesbians?? When men are involved it isn't so ideal, usually bizarre sexual rules/policies crop up and some ego maniac takes control of everyones cash!

Why would you have to have meetings to decide if your children could go to scouts. Imagine what would happen if you had to decide something really important.

Some people regard the Scouts as a sort of paramilitary organisation, which may be why the communal discussions were considered necessary.

They're not quite the Hitler Youth though, are they? Seems a bit excessive to me.

Me, too, but I don't live communally. Do they still have to pledge honour to Queen and God? Those may also be issues.