whither marriage 2

(a follow-up to http://nakedmeadow.blogspot.com/2013/11/whither-marriage.html)

WHITHER MARRIAGE 2/TWO/TOO/TO?
(Or, Raising the Kids)
Some of you are nodding your heads. I hear you thinking, "Okay wrob, that almost makes sense...and frankly most of those things do sound better than the crap life i'm currently up to my nose hairs in. But i'm not ready. Or even if i am, i'm damn sure my schmoopie/spouse AIN'T. So...is there anything i can do to take some, y'know, baby steps in the right direction?"
Of course there are. "Baby steps" - aren't you cute?
I direct the following tips to soon-to-be parents, or parents of children. For marriage is ultimately about children - the way we choose to bring them into the world, and the kind of nurturing we want to provide. Some may pretend that marriage is about being in love, but anyone who's been married over a year knows differently. Without children, marriage is about self-interest (or self-abuse) only. If you're a parent, however...
First, breathe. I'll keep this short, in case your respites from poopy diapers are measured in minutes or seconds.
You're nowhere near ready for polyamorous collectivism, but don't want your babies to become the neurotic mess you turned out to be? Here's whatcha do - find other parents with children (or fetuses) around the same age. Pick some you really like! One other family will work. Two or three will be better. This first step will be easy for those of you still attending birthing class.
Found 'em? Good. Now everybody move within easy walking distance.
Once the babies are birthed, every couple or single parent will be responsible for one night a week in which they have everybody's children at their place. The whole evening, plus a sleepover - this will cement your children's relating to the other kids as siblings, and to the other adults as parental figures.
One night a week is rotationally-hosted gonzo communal night (or a day trip). All the kids and parents together for food, frivolity, and foofery. Sleepovers optional.
The math wizards among you are already aware that with four blended families, couples or single parents will have three whole evenings (and nights) to themselves! Add some eager grandparents to the mix, and you might even have some weeks with more free nights than not. And freedom is something few parents taste these days.
Things like financial burdens and benefits can be shared, or not. Each child will naturally gravitate to the siblings and adults with whom they feel most comfortable. Non-communal days will probably be a swirl of "Can i visit so-and-so? Can such-and-such come over?" Once you've explained to your little moppets the difference between "can" and "may", they'll be on their happy way. Before long, you won't be able to wrap your mind around the thought that couples were once expected to do all that raising by themselves.
I think i smell that poop now. Get back in there, trooper.