“It takes a village” is borrowed from an African proverb that embraces the concept of a community of adults accepting the responsibility of nurturing a child. This is accomplished by combining their time, talents, resources and prayers. These individuals are intertwined because of the shared desire to assist in a child’s healthy physical, mental and spiritual maturity. There is an understanding and acceptance of the value of a child – that the healthier and safe a child is…the healthier and safe our future will be.
Therefore, one of the many responsibilities of a great parent is to ensure that your family’s “village” is comprised of people that share the same goals as you do for your child. So, I challenge you this week to consider your “village people”…who are they and can they stand in the gap for you? Do they cherish your child as you do? Is your child’s well-being and safety paramount to them?
You may be surprised where you might find that next person to become part of your “village”…could be a neighbor, a classmate’s parent, a teacher, a co- worker, who knows…maybe even consider the people that are already in your life in a different manner. Include people such as teachers, physicians, extended family and many others.
Published by Tamara Dickerson, M.D.
Welcome to my answer to a parenting housecall! I am a practicing pediatrician who has been asked on many occasions to come home with my families. I have been offered wallets (full of credit cards and checks-hehehe!) and even the invitation to, “please take my child for weekend”!
Here is my 21st century version of a house call. This will be as close as I will get to most of you in going home with you. My dream is to provide you some practical and humorous tips to make your parenting journey appear more successful and definitely more enjoyable.
Wisdom Moments is a resource that offers help in those moments when you feel like you are not leading the battle, let alone winning it. In those moments when you just need a little creativity but keep coming up with a blank. When those big ole’ eyes of your child are looking up at you , challenging – are you ready for this?! Instead of gulping and waving the white flag…drop by here for a little bit of parenting encouragement/reinforcement.
Despite the humor I use to share my message, I want to reassure you have heard each request and take them very seriously. What I bring to the table is not only my credentials as an accredited pediatrician, but just as validating is that I, too, am a fellow parent in the trenches with you! So what I have to offer you, I pray, is creative, effective and grounded in truth and reality. This blog will become my way, for now, to be more available to you and to share my parenting pearls. So…a toast to christen this maiden voyage “May we laugh and cry together…may we agree and disagree…may we always encourage each other that our children are worth climbing every mountain, scouring every valley, crossing any desert – to find a parenting pearl that will positively change a course of action for us and them”.
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Dr. D. The Parent Trainer 