Roundabout Childcare -A young couple working on planting of a roundabout circle have caught my eye two days in a row as they have their tiny little boy with them. What a world this little one is seeing daily from the center of the roundabout. The continuous stream of vehicles of different shapes, state of repair, and price range is probably a good metaphor for the population of India too. Is there hope for this little boy to have more nurturing conditions for his children’s early development? I recognize that father and mother are producing income and although none of the family had any spare fat on them, neither did any one look malnourished. This little boy was also in the immediate care of his parents which was a far better position than some small children of immigrant workers in Fairfax county who I know of through social services. Tuesday, the little guy only had a shirt on, Wednesday he was wearing both shorts and shirt so I felt his dignity was somewhat restored and he suddenly looked a year or so older. After I spotted this chap I noticed two other older boys (probably 5 or 6) playing alongside their mothers on road building sites. A great contrast with the conventional western childcare arrangements. All examples of that basic economic truth: choices impose costs. These subsistence level parents are making rational choices.