It Takes a Village to Raise a Child
It Takes a Village to Raise a Child
But what if you don’t have a village or family support
Brandy McDowell – September 8, 2021
Being a mother can be difficult and even more complicated when you’re on the journey alone. There’s twice as much work and less time for yourself. Help is necessary for all stages of being a mother, but the postpartum stages of motherhood are pivotal and are when most mothers need unconditional support.
Whether it be someone to babysit your newborn, provide you with a hot meal, someone to run errands for you or to connect with so you don’t feel so alone, the village is essential.
Being a strong Black woman is honorable, but Black women deserve a break as well. So, to be at the intersection of the Black experience, gender, and motherhood is beyond overwhelming. Being strong tends not to be a choice but a birthright for most, if not all, Black women.
So, what do you do when support is lacking?
Many single mothers don’t have a family unit to turn to, but an essential thing to note is reliable people exist. Support groups have become more readily available and are a great option to join to bond with other mothers who may have the same experience.
Studies show that these groups help empower, uplift, provide healthy parenting skills and the feeling of belonging, which significantly improves mental health, according to the Newport Academy article titled, “Why Parenting Support Groups are so Important.”
Friends often become family and may be all the support you need given the right circumstances and collective. It’s critical to speak up and let your friends know that you need help. Sometimes they don’t always know their place when it comes to such a significant life change, so it is necessary to express your needs.
Therapy is an option for support as well. A therapist can help you unlock the barriers you feel may stop you from raising a mentally and physically healthy child. Their job is to provide you with the coping skills required to withstand challenging situations. Therapy is a safe space and more accessible than ever before.
What we’ve learned is that the saying “it takes a village to raise a child” is not exclusive to blood relatives, and there are several alternatives to alleviate the woes of raising a child alone.
*Warning, any information in this app is from non-medical professionals and serves purely for advice purposes. Please consult with your doctor for any medical advice.
