🌟 Raising Kids Without a Village: The Reality 🌟

🌟 Raising Kids Without a Village: The Reality 🌟

Hey, everyone! As many of you know, parenting can be a beautiful yet challenging journey. For those of us navigating this path without a supportive village, it can sometimes feel overwhelming, isolating, and even exhausting.

💔 We often hear about the saying, “It takes a village to raise a child,” but what happens when that village is missing? For countless parents, the journey can feel isolating and overwhelming. In this blog post, we’ll explore the realities of raising kids without a support system, share valuable insights, and offer practical tips for finding fulfillment in this unique parenting journey.

Here are a few thoughts and reflections on this journey that many parents face:

1️⃣ The Importance of Community: Building connections with other parents can be a game-changer. Whether it’s a neighbor, a friend from school, or an online group, having even just one or two people who can relate to the struggles of parenting can make all the difference. Sharing experiences, swapping stories, and knowing you’re not alone can lighten the emotional load.

2️⃣ Resourcefulness and Creativity: Raising kids without a traditional support system forces us to become resourceful. We learn to seek out local community resources, attend parenting workshops, or connect with social media groups that provide support and advice. Many apps and websites offer parenting tips, activities, and even virtual meet-ups that can help bridge the gap. Embracing this resourcefulness not only helps us navigate challenges but also teaches our kids valuable lessons about resilience and creativity.

3️⃣ Prioritizing Self-Care: In the hustle of daily parenting, it’s easy to forget about our own well-being. However, prioritizing self-care is crucial. A happy and healthy parent means happier kids! Whether it’s taking a quiet moment to enjoy a cup of coffee, indulging in a favorite hobby, or simply getting lost in a good book, carving out time for ourselves can rejuvenate our spirits and help us tackle the parenting challenges with renewed energy.

4️⃣ Embracing Imperfection: In a world that often glorifies the “perfect parent,” it’s essential to remember that perfection is a myth! Every parent faces their unique challenges, and it’s okay to ask for help or lean on others when needed. Sharing our struggles openly can create a supportive environment where we can all feel free to be ourselves, flaws and all. Our kids will learn that it’s okay to make mistakes and that asking for help is a strength, not a weakness.

5️⃣ Finding Joy in the Little Things: Without a village, we might miss out on some communal experiences, but it’s also an opportunity to create our own traditions and memories. Celebrate the small victories, laugh at the chaos, and cherish the moments of connection with your children. Whether it’s a spontaneous dance party in the living room or a picnic in the backyard, these little joys can fill our lives with happiness and build strong family bonds.

Conclusion

Parenting without a village may come with its challenges, but it also offers unique opportunities for growth and connection. By actively seeking community, embracing resourcefulness, prioritizing self-care, accepting imperfection, and celebrating small joys, we can navigate this journey with resilience and grace. 

Let’s open up the conversation about parenting without a village. Share your experiences, tips, and stories below! How do you navigate the challenges? What strategies have helped you find support? Together, we can create a community right here, one post at a time. 👇

✨If you found this post helpful, please share it with fellow parents who might benefit from these insights. Let’s create a network of support and encouragement for one another! ✨

#Parenting #NoVillage #CommunitySupport #ParentingJourney #family #advice #familylife

Austin’s Birth Story

✨𝗔𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻’𝘀 𝗕𝗶𝗿𝘁𝗵 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆✨

On August 11, 2020 I started to feel contractions at 3:30am. These were 20-25 min apart and strong, it felt totally different then Braxton Hicks contractions.

We waited until 9am to go to my OBGYN, they then hooked me up to monitors to check my contractions and babies heart rate. At one point there was a drop in Austin’s heart rate and my doctors couldn’t exactly determine why or if it was just him moving around in the womb.

After about 30 min my doctors then made the executive decision to send me to the hospital with our bags packed for the possibilities of Austin’s arrival! My husband and I were both excited and nervous because he was not actually scheduled to be born until the morning of August 13th via csection.

We excitedly went in to the OB emergency room at the hospital where they placed me on monitors to check Austin’s heart rate and my contractions.

After 2-3 hours I went from a 0 to a 4cm dilation and my water broke, all naturally while being monitored.

Austin had plans that day to make his grand debut and strangely at 3:30am when my contractions hit I just new today was going to be the big day!

Just like that at 3:39pm little Austin James made his way into this world to complete our family as four! 🤍

A Letter to My First Born

𝗧𝗼 𝗺𝘆 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝗯𝗼𝗿𝗻 . . .

You are the first person I fell in love with long before I saw your face.

I kept imagining how my life would be like with your arrival 2.5 years ago. All the plans and preparations we made, yet nothing truly prepared me for the moment when I first held you in my arms. 

It was a life-changing moment. I never anticipated I could love someone so deeply. Not even in the way I love your father. 

As I held your tiny body against my chest, trembling with overwhelming emotions and amazed at this tiny life that just came out of my womb, I knew, without a doubt, I would do anything for you. 

It’s bitter sweet to know I’ll no longer have you all to myself.

“𝗟𝗲𝘁 𝗺𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮 𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲, 𝗯𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂’𝗿𝗲 𝗻𝗼𝘁 𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝘆𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲.”

As I hold you today, I remember the moments when you were born. You are my first born, the one who first made me a mom.

In a few short days your baby brother will be born, love to new heights will be reached as our family expands. I cannot wait to document this next chapter in our lives because I know without a doubt you will be the best big brother!

Bumpin into 37 Weeks

I am officially 37 weeks along with our little bundle of joy and loving it! We recently had maternity photos taken and I am so in love with ALL of them! Check them out below! 🤍

It’s been a strange pregnancy I’m not going to lie. It’s been strange not being able to celebrate this with friends and family or have a baby shower. I feel like this pregnancy zoomed on by and I don’t know how it did being quarantined!

So with all that being said, it was so fun to glam up, have some pretty photos taken of my family and of myself! I absolutely love the way they turned out and will forever cherish these!!

Someone Made a Turtle Friend 🐢

Someone made a turtle friend! We have a pond behind our home and this little guy got lost on our pool deck. We rescued and returned him back to his pond! It was quite the little mission we went on but Mason loved the whole experience!

How I love the little moments and the joy it brought to him even if he wanted to keep him! I told my son that the baby turtle had to go back home to his turtle family back in the pond! 🐢🤷‍♀️

Have your children ever found “pets” and kept them?

We’re not totally there yet given my sons age! Maybe one day we will start with a little fish or something then graduate to a dog he can pick out!

Hope you all have a great weekend! 🤍

My Dear Son

When I look into your eyes, I want you to know you will always be loved no matter what is happening in the world.

I want you to never feel replaced or saddened as your baby brother arrives in a few short weeks.

I want you to know I will always love you far beyond measure.

Today, I am feeling all the emotions hit me as I look at my first born, the little boy who made me a mom. It’s bittersweet to know that the years will rush on by, and one day I will be watching my baby boy grow up to be a man.

“Men are what their mothers made them.

– Ralph Waldo Emerson

My hope is that I raised a leader, a kind, caring, respectable gentleman making a positive contribution, and hopefully going far beyond me in the scope of his life.