When we announced that we were pregnant with triplets there was a wide spectrum of different reactions. Some people’s responses were supportive and talked about how blessed we are, others were focused on the negative; on how hard it would be to take care of five children under the age of three. One response in particular read, “Wow, you are going to be very outnumbered!” I remember scoffing and thinking about how ridiculous that was. Though we would have five children, I knew that we would not be outnumbered by any means.
You see, similar to the way that people collect beautiful paintings or other valuable assets, my husband and I have somehow managed to cultivate the most priceless and incredible group of people in our liv
es. Our tribe. When I say, “I don’t know what I would do without them,” I am not simply exchanging pleasantries. I literally don’t know how I would survive without this group of people. They say it takes a village, right?! Our family and friends freely give their time, help, encouragement, and love. They give all of these things without hesitation, without obligation, and without even being asked.
The truth is that I never feel like I am enough. I will never feel like I spendenough time with my kids. I will always want to do more, BE more, for them. However, my kids are not missing out. My kids are not neglected in any way. They are loved on, snuggled, bathed, played with and read to…even if it is not always done by me. My kids are raised by a village, and I wouldn’t have it any other way!
I look around my living room on a Friday night and I get teary eyed at the sight. Each of my children being held by someone who loves them like their own. One child in each lap, each receiving someone’s FULL attention. I take a deep breath of relief as I realize that the heavy burden of feeling inadequate has been removed from my shoulders. This environment, this tribe, is more than I could ever wish for my children. It’s so much more than I could ever give to them on my own.
You could be anywhere, doing anything, but you chose this. You chose us.
So to the people who love my children, there are not enough words to say thank you for all that you do. I hope that you know how loved your are by our family. I hope you know that my kids and I thank God for you every single night during our prayers. Thank you for pouring your unconditional love into the hearts of my kids. Thank you for picking up my slack. Thank you for making sure that we are NOT outnumbered. The way that you impact our family is immeasurable. You stop by to check on us and hang out with us on your days off work. You take the kids for adventures when I am in desperate need of a break. You bathe babies, wipe noses, tickle, and snuggle. You celebrate their successes and offer guidance in times of need. You decorate for birthday parties. You paint bedrooms, hang pictures, and do dishes. You read bedtime stories, brush teeth, and untangle knots out from hair. You change diapers and change clothes, but you have no idea how much you are changing the world for me and my children.
My kids are raised by a village, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
