One of my very favorite things about living where I live is the community that is built up around my kids. It's the same community that was built up around me. I say all the time that it takes a village to raise kids, but I'm learning more and more that not everyone has that opportunity. Here, we do, though, and I think it is THE thing that elevates our community from other places we could live.
Being raised in the village gives kids an extra layer of protection. It also gives them an extra layer of accountability. If someone sees my child misbehaving without me or MDH around, they will have no problem addressing the issue, and we expect them to. On the same
note, if my child needs a little encouragement,
there will be someone to give that to them. If my child needs a motivational nudge in their life, there will be someone who notices and gives that to them. If my child needs a hug and some love, someone will give that to them, too. And with all of this, there really is no better way to grow up.
There is a lot of influence in the world to overprotect your children and shelter them from all the bad guys. I acknowledge how incredibly lucky we are to be isolated enough that this isn't as big of an issue. But I also think for every one bad guy, there are 100
good guys. If we teach them to be scared of the world and keep to themselves, then they
will. If we teach them to love the world and
the people in it, then they will. And which is a better way to be? I guess that is your choice as a parent.
I am going to keep on letting the village be a large part of my children's upbringing. I see the enormous value, and I am so very grateful to all those who so lovingly participate.
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