Cultivate your village: The 5 people every mom needs

02/21/2017

Cultivate Your Village: The 5 People Every Mom Needs.

Every mom has heard it once or twice; ‘It takes a village to raise a child!’A smart mom knows that stocking up her personal village with a variety of experts and listening ears will help her survive the infant and toddler stages with minimal alcohol consumption. I’ve spent the last almost 7 years adding to my village and some days they’re the only people standing between me and even more therapy sessions. I’m sharing my ‘Top 5’ in the hopes that you can build a bigger and stronger village for yourself – or lend your skills to another mom in need.

1. A Trusted Healthcare Provider

Whether you choose a pediatrician, family doctor, naturopath, chiropractor, councilor etc; every mom needs a medical professional who can slow their roll when they start convincing themselves that a cold is the bubonic plague. Make sure your go-to provider is accessible, understanding and informed!

2. Understanding Child-Free Friends

Self-care is an important part of ‘Momming’ so having child-free friends or even friends with older children is necessary. They help you find motivation for time away from your kids, talk about non-kid-related topics and do amazing things like eating your dinner warm and drinking fresh coffee. Don’t forget to dedicate your time to ALL of your friendships because ‘Mom-Ghosting’ friends you’ve had since Kindergarten isn’t cool.

3. Mom-Friends who listen judgment-free

Sometimes you just need to chat with someone who got just as little sleep as you did the night before. Someone who is mainlining coffee while trying to get kids to school, to appointments and/or to work. Real mom friends have been there, done that and may have some amazing tips and tricks for you to add to your own personal arsenal. These moms are your people and they won’t judge you for wanting a nap by 10am or hiding in a closet eating candy so your kids won’t find where you’ve hidden the good stuff.

4. An amazing Child Care provider/Babysitter

As much as we’d all love to be there 24/7 it’s just not realistic even as a SAHM. There will be events we attend, work to return to or even, good grief, a date night with your significant other! Since you can’t leave a 3 year old home alone you need to have someone you trust who is willing to watch your kid! Also, I really recommend having a back-up option….and then back-up your back-up!

5. A Jack of All Trades

I speak from experience here, make sure you know a good ,old-fashioned, handy-person! You never know when your whole house will be stricken with pneumonia during an unseasonably cold spring and your furnace dies. Or your hot water heater gives up the ghost halfway through running a bath. Or your ceiling fixture actually goes ‘Pop, Fizz, Bang’ before filling the room with smoke. When you’re trying to wrangle children, strapping on your own Wonder Woman belt and getting it done can be impossible so make sure you know who to call!

Everything is easier with a group of strong people guarding your back. Child-rearing isn’t a one woman job so don’t be afraid to reach out and ask for help!

Who are the residents in YOUR village? Let us know!