Have you ever heard it said that it takes a villiage to raise a child?

I am a mother of 3 and I believe that you statement is true. I have called my friends and family so much and asked what should I do about this and they can just about always give me some ideas. so in part they are helping me raise my children. And some children can learn better from other people than there own parents, as in my childrens case.

Well...I guess it depends on your circumstances. Unfortunately...my family and I have never been close..so they have rarely seen my son since he was born. My boyfriends father has been good and has helped with him...but that is about it. We have raised him basically on our own since he was a baby and now he is a teenager...so I don't think you nessarily need a village to raise a child...just some common sense and love.

I agree with your statement. There are so many people, family, friends, teachers...that influence a child's life and make them who they are. We have a large family, and I can't imagine any of them not being a part of my children's lives.

I agree with this remarks particularly when it happens in my country where every family can have only one child according to the birth policy. every little kid is the king or queen of the family with its parents, and it's parents' parents, sometimes even more adults surrounding the baby as it is the only in the family that needs care. When daughter was born, my hubby and I, together with my parents-in-law and my hub's aunty, as well as a maid worked together to take care of her.

I always thought this was a great idea. I am a foster parent so a lot of my kids don't have much contact with their birth family. It takes a lot of people to raise my kids, foster parents, social workers, teachers, therapists, my friends and family. Without our "village" who would take care of our children when their parents can't? In today's world when human contact seems to become more rare everyday, we need to reach out to our kids.

so it is .

All too often such a comment is used to say that the child is not to blame but the village let him/her down. Everyone the child comes in contact with helps shape the child. As parents it is up to us to see that thos people are positive influance and not a negitive one.

I know it takes a village to raise a child, everyone from friebds to uncles to aunts to cousins to parents to teachers to whomever is in the child's life for however small a time; my kids will have 500 caring, involved adults in their life, at least.

hello.. its nice to have caring people arount us..i can understand the situation bcoz at my area, we use to have other people to come around and help setting everything for the feast.its a trend and we love it coz we r able to get close to one another..

Nope. Not like that I've heard "It takes a community to help raise a child" but I guess they are exact same thing and I think I can't see much truth in it myself. Because most people around here aren't like they used to be, family's aren't open as city, town but as a family and we hardly ever allow one and another to help. unless it's an appeal which brings to together which is a shame. Kudos, ~Joey

I find it true, kids don't evolve within the realms of family alone. Like you and me, we call our community our home, our country our home and the world. Because we don't grow up only from the guidance of our parents, we also evolve and adapt our surroundings outside the house. The school. In fact soceity plays a very important role in the growth of our children.

Yes i really do believe in this my grandmother and my mom told me this along time ago. All the people you mentioned in your discussion are part of that village for your daughter right now but as time goes on that village is also added to alot more. Like teachers, her own friend groups, doctors, coaches, and such the village is forever growing as they grow. And that proves my theory about people need people too.

I agree with that statement. Everyone your child comes into contact with has an impact on them. That is why you need to surrond them with good influences. Like grandparents friends and extended church famlies. Teach them right from wrong and hopefully they will be ready to handle the world outside their village when older.

This topic remind me what it is in China. There's a "one child" policy in China which means one family can have only one kid. I'm an only child in my family and so are my cousins. We get along with each other like true bloods. I get love from my aunts,uncles and they also get care from my parents. It's a big extended family. I think in my parents time, they wont have so many contacts with their cousins, cause they have so many true blood brothers and sisters.~ As the only child in my family, i feel happy with all the love from my family, however, after the carefree childhood, i realize that i have to bare all the responsibilities to take care my beloved parents.

This is very true, and I understand completely what you are saying...I have had on occasions to move away with my kids, and although it would have benefited us in many ways it would have also robbed us in many ways...I have a very large family, uncles, aunts etc...and the times we spend with them be it in passing or on special holidays is absolutely precious to the upbringing of my children...i base my opinion on my sisters life...she moved away when her children were young...i think 4 and 2 and the differences in her children and mine are mind boggling...they were practically raised by babysitters as both my sister and her husband worked all the time...yes they have a beautiful home, and two new cars and money up the yin yang, but money certainly is not the most important thing in this life...her kids have electronics galore and my kids have to work for it, be it in good grades or chores, it just seems to me that if my sister had stayed in the province and raised her children around our large circle of family and friends her children would not be so materialistic and self-centered...they are wonderful, but they just don't possess the same values as their cousins do...

I tend to not agree with this statement cher913. The reason is, I have found so many chuches and groups don't view God's word the way we do in our own home. I believe it takes a family to raise a child. A family who is well informed, annointed and led by The Holy Spirit. I have found many church groups believe they are teaching the Word of God but aren't teaching the truth.

Most definitely! I don't think I'd be able to take care of my son by myself. I need the help of my family, friends, and neighbors. This circle would expand to school and community as he grows older. That's why it is important for us parents to provide our children with the best environment for their optimum growth and development.