It Takes a Village

The expression “it takes a village to raise a child” is said to have originated in Nigerian Igbo culture. The word for child ‘nwa ora’ when translated means “child of the community”. It’s lovely and apt because it’s so true: our children— are guided, supported, and so loved all while encircled.

It was never our intention to raise children alone. With or without a partner, we are reliant on a small army behind us. Helping us to shoulder some of the weight.

And it’s not because we can’t do it alone.

We have gratefully chosen not to.

Part of what makes motherhood so much more marvelous is sharing in it with those that are walking in our same steps. Watching our kids play and saying aloud to another woman, “I know, you know.” And then we are just there, getting through it together.

It is so much harder to parent as an island.

Here, during this time, what we are missing in support, we are gaining in perspective:

We recognized the importance of our teachers. Now we cherish them.

We appreciated grandparents. Now we worship them.

We thought of socializing as a right. It’s a privilege.

We valued our village before. But we will know it’s value after.

See, we can make a circle at home with the core members, and we are lucky to do so. But we are missing those that expanded our arms into wings, lifting up our children together, so they can take flight.

📸 credit: Fit4mom Davis-Woodland