Does it take a village?

Raising our children, I believe, is one of the most satisfying opportunities that we can ever have. It is also one of the most difficult things we can do. It represents different challenges with each year, each day and each moment…and different gifts as well.

In my work with parents and families, I hear about many of the fears and uncertainties that parents have about raising a child. I think that all of us have them at some point on the journey. Sometimes the greatest difficulty is the feeling that there is nowhere to turn when we need help and guidance. In today’s society, few people have the support of extended family nearby or of a well-connected community to turn to. In days gone by and still in some cultures, the idea that “it takes a community to raise a child” is still the norm. This is not easily achievable and sometimes not possible in today’s society. More often than not, families have two working parents and children are, at least in part, being parented in daycares. When this happens, immediate family values and childrearing traditions may be very different than what parents may do in their own home. There is also far less time available for parents to spend with their children. This can lead to feeling pressure and to guilt. When these things are added to the desire to be “good parents”, it can sometimes be overwhelming.

Despite the difficulties, children grow and learn and become self-reliant. Parents also grow and learn and gain skills. We all begin to create our own “tool box” of strategies in parenting our children. It is my hope and my mission to provide support and mentorship to parents building their toolbox.