I must say that I really noticed the more insular attitudes of Britain when I returned from living in France when my daughter was 2. In France, we had community who had watched her from birth, and everywhere we went people acknowledged her and were interested in her. In England, we were on our own. In France, kids were invited to everything while in England you had to find babysitters most of the time to go anywhere.

Ah, it gets easier, Claire. I promise.