It Takes a Village to Raise a Child…

If I’ve said this proverb once, I’ve said it a million times. Partly because I NEED a village to help me raise my kids and partly because I WANT The Kids to be influenced by and introduced to the thoughts and feelings of trustworthy people.

Shortly after The Kids were born, and probably caused by the fact that Alexander died, I started to worry that when my time came, The Kids wouldn’t have much Family. Short of having more kids, I did what made sense…

We created a Family for them.

If you are an important part of their lives than you are referred to as Tia, Uncle or another Respectful Salutation. You’ve heard of many here on the blog such as; Nanna, Poppa, Tia, Tia Sandie, Uncle Bill, Uncle Andrew, Uncle Jim, Uncle Eric, Uncle Mike* and Molly. In reality, the list is long. Really long. If you ask Max, he’ll tell you that it’s ginormous.

For two weeks a year, when we’re up at The Farm, we add a few more names to the mix; Aunt Sally, Uncle John, Uncle Kevin, and Aunt Liz*. It doesn’t matter to The Kids that Uncle John is actually Uncle Kevin’s Dad and neither are really their Uncle at all. It may matter to other people who will remain nameless.

Tonight The Kids were “raised by a village”.

Each year, Aunt Sally, Aunt Liz and I head into Collingwood (it’s a 30-minute drive) for “Ladies Night Out”. The events vary. This year, I suggested a pole dancing course however, since it was Liz’s birthday**, we went out for dinner and dessert instead.

We dined on scrumptious fried pickles, Fish and Chips and ended the night with a Dairy Queen Blizzard. Let’s just say that I really shouldn’t have had the Blizzard. I would post all the pictures I took if I hadn’t deleted them (by mistake) from my phone.

The Kids? They stayed at home with Uncle John, Uncle Kevin and Ed. I didn’t ask but I’m pretty sure that they howled with the coyotes, ate Oreo cookies for dinner, discussed the Farmers Almanac and then went to bed at 10pm without brushing their teeth. Regardless, the important part is that they got to spend quality time with their Family.

Have Your Kids Ever Been Raised by a Village?

*Note that names may or may not have been changed.
**As I mentioned yesterday, it’s not actually Liz’s birthday. Her real birthday is December 15 but she celebrates her birthday (complete with presents) on July 15. I’m not exactly sure why she does that. I could ask her if you want.

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