In our fast paced, instant access world, a village is necessary to help navigate this thing called Parenthood.
A Few Reasons why Villages are good:
We are Better Together
Parenting is hard and the thought of going it alone is overwhelming. When I had my first child, I lived hundreds of miles away from “family” (in fact 2 weeks after we arrived there, my son was born), but I quickly learned that I could have “family” in my church and my community. (Like- Hey, I don’t know you for real neighbor- but drive us to the hospital please- kind of community!). It only requires an ask and a willingness to allow others to help you. We moved from there years ago, but these people are still a part of our tribe, and we are still parenting together.
ACTION POINT:
Stop procrastinating! Get involved! Join a community group, small group, school group etc. It doesn’t matter what you call it. Just get involved for your sake and for theirs. You will all be blessed!
Silos aren’t healthy.
It would be easy to focus on all that’s wrong with our world and try to keep our children cocooned far away from it’s harsh realities. However, isolating our kids will not provide them with the tools they will need to make future choices. I’m not advocating free reign for our children, nor am I saying we include our children in every adult conversation about political, social and moral issues. I am suggesting that we must have the difficult conversations if we desire our children to be socially, and morally mature. Having a network of trusted people to help talk through these conversations is imperative.
ACTION POINT:
Be a filter for (as opposed to a barrier to) your children when it comes to tough topics. Bring your tribe in for reinforcement.
They grow exponentially
If you’re like me, you realize that you are smart enough to know that you’re not that smart. Hence, it is important to be surrounded by people with different skill sets than what you have. Important not just for us, but our children. Allowing our kids to see how differently (adults) process and work through issues is game changing in how they will process challenges. Our children will be more apt to articulate their thoughts, process ideas and exude confidence when they have the support of adults other than us.
ACTION POINT
Who are 3 to 5 adults that you would like your children to sit at their feet? Invite them into your village.
Children are our gift from God. We have been given the privilege and responsibility to shepherd them for a few years. Let’s Live Out Loud in our Village so they will know who they are.
“ These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the door-frames of your houses and on your gates.” Deut 6:6-9
Keep Living Out Loud
in HIM, terry