ROOTED IN LOVEā½ HOME
We’ve all heard the saying, “It takes a village to raise a child.” More than ever before, it can be beneficial to have a supportive community alongside you as you navigate your way through parenthood. Especially in today’s busy and fast-paced world, it can be so helpful to rely on grandparents, friends, neighbors, aunts and uncles, etc. But not everyone has a village, and that’s okay.
If you don’t have a village, you’re not alone. My husband and I are in the same boat. Our closest family lives nearly two hours away, so we don’t have the benefit of dropping the kids off with grandparents when we have something important to do. We live on a ranch way out of town, so we don’t have neighbors or friends nearby to call for help in a pinch. We’ve pretty much never used a babysitter and haven’t been on a date in over two years.
We’re pretty much on our own when it comes to raising our kids, but honestly, I don’t think that’s a bad thing. Of course, it would be nice to have a break or some alone time once in a while, but it’s not the end of the world. It comes with challenges and obstacles, but it’s nothing we can’t figure out. It simply means we have to work together even better, and we know we can rely on each other during tough times. This is a season in our life that’s dedicated to our nuclear family, and that’s a beautiful thing.
In fact, being with our kids all the time is the greatest blessing in the world, which is one big reason why we choose to homeschool. I know it’s not for everyone, so I don’t blame people for thinking we’re weird. The way we do things is different than what’s considered “normal.” Honestly, part of it is by choice because we love being together as a family, but as I mentioned before, part of it is out of necessity. To tell you the truth, sometimes I get jealous of people with close-knit families who have regular family dinners or cousin play dates. I wish we had that village; if not for the support, then at least for the connection.
Even though I love being with my kids and choose to be their teacher, sometimes I reach the point of burnout. Those are the times when it would be so nice to be able to let someone else step in, but that’s not our reality. We have to push through our exhaustion and keep going, relying on God’s strength and energy to help us through. And you know what? He always delivers just what we need, because His grace is so amazing. It’s humbling and empowering all at once, knowing that the God of the universe cares so deeply for little ol’ me. He is involved in all the intricate details, even when I feel like no one else really cares. He never leaves me alone. What a wonderful Father!
If you feel isolated, or if you’re just plain worn out, please remember that you’re never really alone. God is always with you, and He gives you the tools you need to complete the tasks He’s set before you. And if you don’t have a village, that’s okay. There’s nothing wrong with you. Your life just looks a little bit different than others, but that doesn’t make it less awesome. Life is full of seasons, and this is just one of them. Search for the blessings, and remember that God put you right where He meant you to be.