Find A Village

Do you have a village?  Hilary Clinton and I don’t agree on much, but we do agree on this one.

Parenting is SO hard and there are so many ways that you and your child might not mesh, especially when they’re teenagers — so jagged with so many sides.

It’s Sunday.  I’m going to my village.  My village is the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (also known as “The Mormons”).  That means I have several people for each child, they’re watching out for them and helping where they can.  My kids have teachers and leaders who love them.

I was once that leader, and I’m still in people’s village.  I know I made a difference for some kids, and in other’s at least I tried.  I know I loved their kids.

I’m not saying you need to be Mormon, or even go to church (although I think that being Mormon AND going to church has made a huge difference for my kids).  I think that school or a community group can be a village.

I also think it’s never too late to find a village.  Teens need them the most.  I think it helps the longer you’ve been in the village.  People are more invested in kids they know, but good people will invest regardless.

Ways your village can help you:

1. Have someone who has shared interests with your child who can influence them.
2. Have someone who can mention things they’d recommend (often easier than hearing it from your mom)
3. Have someone they just “mesh” with
4. Have friends that can give positive peer pressure
5. Show good role models, both from friends and leaders
6. Show them some ideas of paths they can take

I think it’s also important to mention that you need to GIVE to the village as much as you get.  I often find that helping kids who aren’t my own kids ages is nice.  I found a lot of joy in that and I think I made a difference.

So, go get a village.  All the {smart} moms are doing it. Hahaha LOL.

**{Smart} Moms is a relative term.  I had to give it a name, but I am the first one to say I’m not smart all the time. I sometimes forget that I have a village (or don’t use them to their full potential, often due to my own pride), I just find it easier when I do.  This series is just a list of things I’ve found to make life easier — not to say — WOOT WOOT, I’m SOooooOOOO smart! {said like Steve Martin}

Check out all my other {smart} moms posts:[pt_view id=”4256a9870e”]