The Village Helpers

When I was a young parent there were more moms who were able to stay at home to raise their children. Most of course were married and had the support of a husband, and family to see them through any scheduling conflicts. Unfortunately in my case, as with many other women, I went through a divorce and raised my five children as a single parent/mom.

Though I still consider myself one of the lucky mom’s who could work at home, (licensed child care) to see my kids off to school, and be there when they returned. We had very little money, but also very simple needs; a roof over our heads, regular utility bills, and like all struggling families, I constantly made our groceries stretch to the max. I did not have any financial support from my parents (nor would I ever have asked), but my father died when my oldest was 6 months old, and my mother worked full time caring for a doctor’s only child, and yet they were both gracious, and loving grandparents. Though I was the only provider and parents, I always had the love of my family, and that meant everything. My sisters worked full time, and both were amazing Aunts to my children.
Today, it takes much more of a community of people to help in the raising of our young families. Not everyone is the star of their own reality show, and in fact the true reality is that mom’s and families are struggling more than ever. We live in a world of selfies and instant gratification, but the hardest job, is still raising a family. The simple necessities of everyday life now, is a cell phone attached to your body. The ordinary use of a television, comes with a packaged deal you need in order to watch anything. So today, life is not nearly as simple for families as it once was. You need to lean on family, and ask for help with childcare, and in order to go back to school to further your education, a whole lot of love has to go in to making those plans take root. It’s not as simple as before.

I see this with the young parents in my own family. My own children are married and both partners have gone back to school. My oldest daughter worked full time, with a 3 year old and pregnant with their second child. She and her husband made it work with his parents watching their girls. My younger daughter and her husband also work full time, in the entertainment industry (singer/musician) and works mostly late nights, with only one day off a week, but they make it work…with the help of grandparents (us) watching their little girl.

So yes, all you single mothers out there, don’t feel too bad, even with married couples, parenting can be a hard road to travel  without an armload of support. It does take a village of helpers, and like many other countries, that’s what makes it work so well. We need the connection of families, relatives, friends and neighbors. My children are very grateful for our help, and I am grateful for theirs….it’s the great circle of life, helping one another. God Bless you Moms!