Backstory
In my youth, the whole town seemed to participate in my development. Today, parenting is much more private. This story is about a few different approaches.
Takes a Village
A friend and I were agreeing that it takes a village to raise a child; although that adage seemed to have more credence when we were growing up than it does today. The whole neighborhood watched out for kids back then.
Young boys caught in the act could expect a smack on the butt from whatever mother witnessed their misdemeanor. Story tellers gathered kids around bonfires, whether they were theirs by birth or not.
My friend endorsed a wide circle of adults in the lives of his children today too. He felt they would benefit from different points of view, different cultures, new ideas to explore, interacting with adults outside of the core family.
He cautioned, however, that he is careful about the people he brings into his children’s lives. He wants to make sure they are a good influence.
For instance, he befriends smokers outside his home, rather than supporting the habit under his roof. His wife insists that women visiting their home dress according to their moral standards.
They want to mold the world in which their children live. They filter the village of adults who will be in a position of influence. Their goal is to help the children develop into caring, knowing adults.
Think it will work?
P.S. Then there are the grandparents who wind up raising their grandkids. They usually don’t expect to have a second go-round. Parenting grandparents find help and guidance in GRAND, the lifestyle magazine for today’s grandparents living the ageful life. Their mission is to provide grandparents of all ages and in all stages of life, information and inspiration. Free subscription – https://www.grandmagazine.com/grandparents/
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