Summertime living is like a commune for me.
Last Friday, I passed off one of my kids to the neighbors because he couldn’t go to the pool due to his swimmer’s ear. Then I picked up a friend’s kids to take to the pool because she was moving that day. When I arrived at the pool, I left my kids and my friend’s kids in the care of another friend while I went for a run. When I got back, I watched my friend’s kids so she could go for a run.
Later, a friend realized that her youngest was running a fever so she took him home and left her other three with me. Then another friend had to take her toddler home for a nap, so she left her older two with me.
I was glad I had driven my “bus” to the pool that day because when all was said and done, I had 10 kids in my care. There wasn’t a spare seat to be had on the way home.
The crazy day made me realize just how important it is to have friends when you are raising kids. Not only do they provide the logistical help that can be so necessary at times — they also provide the emotional help. When I did get the chance to sit down and relax for a bit that day — I had friends to vent to, share concerns with and just have fun. It’s become a real cliché but it’s so true that it takes a village to raise a family.