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It Takes a Village . . .
So they say it takes a village to raise a child, and I have to say it is true! I'm just feeling really thankful for my village this week. As a teacher, I'm just a couple weeks into the new school year, so it was really unfortunate timing for my little one to come down with an ear infection. I got the dreaded middle of the day phone call from the daycare. This one was a little different though. My daughter didn't have any symptoms. No fever. No cough. Nothing. But she wasn't acting like herself, and the teachers recognized that and were worried. So I called my mother-in-law and asked if I could drop my daughter off with her in fifteen minutes and she said, "Of course." On my lunch break I dashed to the daycare, picked up my daughter, dropped her with her grandmother and was back to work in less than thirty minutes. My hubby took her to the ped. in the a.m. and found she had an ear infection, so she spent the rest of the work week with my mother-in-law, who spoiled her rotten with homemade soup, bubble baths and daily nail color changes. I can't help but think what a blessing it is to have teachers who know and love my daughter enough to be able to tell something is wrong even before the symptoms show, and to have a mother-in-law who is so ready and willing to help at a moment's notice. So who is your village?
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Katie, Mom365 Host on -
It's so true, you need kind and generous friends and family around when you have kids! Two years ago we moved states away from any family, but I've been lucky enough to make a great group of friends who have children my son's age. We do playgroups, baby-sitting swaps, girls' nights out, and I would feel comfortable asking any of them for the occasional favor (and I am more than happy to repay it!). One or two parents is not enough when it comes to raising kids! You're lucky to have such a great MIL nearby, Maggie! I do wish grandma was close by.
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Permalink Reply by Maggie on -
Mom friends are a definite must! My sister recently had a baby, and she asked me for my best mom advice. I told her, "Make friends with other moms with babies." It's important to have friends who love your kids and let you love theirs. Since I'm a teacher, I can't always be there for all the little school events and performances. I have to be putting on my own show! More than once a friend has acted as a surrogate mom at school events, cheering on my daughter, taking pics, and letting her know someone was there for her, too.
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Permalink Reply by Jen, Mom365 Host on -
I wish I had more of a village! My parents are 250 miles away, and my husband's family is a couple thousand miles away. My sister is nearby, and we have a sitter who can work evenings, but during the day, it's just me...
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Permalink Reply by Maggie on
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That must be hard! We do feel really lucky to have both my husband's parents and my parents in town.
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Permalink Reply by Shannon, Star Mom on
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I have been fortunate enough to have a very helpful family... we have my Mom and SIL who would both watch the kids or help w/ anything at the drop of a hat (both live within 5 minutes from us). My Dad and stepmom (live about 30 min. from us) offer to help occasionally w/ a day at their house or overnight stays, and my MIL is close enough (about 2 hours away) as a back up in case we need her. I am also very lucky to have my cousin watch our kids during the day while we work, I must say it's a huge relief and comfort to know my kids are well taken care of through the week by a family member, and an extra plus is our sons are the same age! Life would be pretty tough w/ out the wonderful support system we have :)
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