Does it really take a village to raise a child? According to Wikipedia, “It takes a village to raise a child” is an African proverb that means an entire community of people must interact with children for those children to grow in a safe and healthy environment. It also became a popular saying in American culture several decades back.
While it is entirely possible to raise a child without a support system, there is no denying it’s easier with family and friends to help out. My new granddaughter, who just celebrated her one-month birthday, is fortunate that a loving family surrounds her. Because of divorce and remarriages, Sylvia has seven grandparents, all living close. Her village includes her parents and, of course, her three-year-old brother, who is still quite smitten with her and has not once asked to take her back to the hospital. She’s a lucky baby!
The village benefits all the generations involved. It’s a win-win for everyone to have grandparents who serve as a backup plan for parents; stepping in to babysit, run kids on errands, and maybe even having the occasional sleepover so the parents can have a date night. What parents wouldn’t love a free night, and most kids love spending time with loving grandparents. Some studies show that children who have close relationships with their grandparents are less likely to have behavioral and emotional problems and are better equipped to deal with traumatic events such as divorce or bullying. Grandparents provide stability and support.
When I had young kids, I was a single working mother, and although I tried not to rely on my parents too much, there were times it was essential. Knowing my parents were there to step in for emergencies helped ease my stress and provided a safety net for my children. Although it was almost thirty years ago, I still recall the utter relief I felt on the occasions when my parents picked my children up from school, and I walked into their house and smelled dinner cooking. For a single mother, that was as close to Heaven as I could get!
