MY ADVICE :
DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE YOUR NEED
FOR A VILLAGE !
AND WHY IT IS SO IMPORTANT TO GATHER
YOUR VILLAGE
BEFORE YOUR BABY IS BORN!

I know how lucky I am — truly lucky — to have my mom and dad close by. And it wasn’t by accident. I made sure of it. I chose a life where family could be woven into our everyday rhythm, not just holiday visits or rushed FaceTime calls.

Michael lives for his weekly time with his Momo and Bo. Those days are pure magic for him. They do things I simply can’t always provide as a working mother — unhurried moments, special projects, inside jokes, routines that belong just to them. It’s a different kind of presence. A softer pace. A love that feels expansive and steady in a way only grandparents can offer.

Watching him thrive in that relationship has shown me something important: children don’t need one everything-giving parent. They need a village.

And for so many families, that village isn’t naturally nearby. Parents live in different states. Grandparents are far away. Support isn’t built in — it has to be created with intention and heart. But here’s the beautiful truth: villages don’t have to be biological.

Relatives, friends, neighbors, even coworkers often want to help. So many people love babies and kids deeply. Many are lonely. Many are longing to feel needed, to belong, to matter in someone’s life again. When we let people in, we’re not burdening them — we’re giving them a gift.

One of my favorite examples of this is my mom’s friend. She never had children of her own. Years ago, she met a pregnant woman in a yoga class. They connected, became friends, and when that baby was born — something magical happened. She became the baby’s adopted grandparent. That mom had no family nearby, and this woman stepped into a role that filled both of their hearts. A beautiful, life-giving relationship formed — simply because someone said yes to being part of a village.

This is the part we don’t talk about enough: community is built, not found.

It takes effort. It takes vulnerability. It takes asking, inviting, trusting. But when we release the idea that we have to do everything alone — when we open our circle — something extraordinary happens. Our children receive more love. We receive more support. And others receive the joy of connection they may have been missing.

No matter where you live or what your family setup looks like, your village is possible. It may not look traditional. It may surprise you. But it’s out there — waiting to be invited in.

It Takes a Village — and That Saying Is Truer Than Ever

“There’s a reason the saying it takes a village to raise a child has lasted through generations—it’s because it’s not just poetic… it’s practical.”

Humans were never meant to raise babies alone.

For most of history, children were born into communities—surrounded by aunties, elders, neighbors, friends, sisters, and other children. Mothers rested while others cooked. Babies were passed from loving arms to loving arms. Wisdom was shared. Support was built in.

Somewhere along the way, modern parenting became isolating, and many parents—especially mothers—were quietly handed the impossible expectation of doing it all on their own.

Why the Village Matters (for you and your baby)

Having a village isn’t a luxury—it’s a form of emotional and nervous-system support.

When you have help:

• You regulate more easily

• You feel less overwhelmed and alone

• You can rest, recover, and enjoy your baby

• You model healthy interdependence for your child

And for your baby?

• They feel safe with many loving caregivers

• They learn trust and connection early

• They receive more calm, grounded energy

• They thrive in environments rich with love and support

A supported parent creates a supported child. It’s that simple.

Create Your Village—even if Family Isn’t Nearby

Not everyone has family close by—and that’s okay. Your village does not have to be blood.

Your village can include:

• Friends who are parents (or who love babies)

• Neighbors

• Fellow moms from prenatal yoga, mom groups, or school

• Babysitters, doulas, postpartum helpers

• Trusted caregivers or community members

• Even other families you trade support with

The key is intention. You don’t wait for a village to magically appear—you gently build it.

Why It’s Powerful to Build Your Village Before Baby Arrives

This is one of the most overlooked pieces of preparation for new parents.

Before baby arrives:

• Have conversations about support

• Accept offers early

• Identify who you can lean on

• Normalize asking for help before you’re exhausted

When support is already in place, you’re not scrambling in survival mode. You’re held from the beginning—which can literally save your sanity in those early weeks.

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help (This Might Surprise You)

Here’s the truth no one says out loud:

People genuinely want to help with babies and children.

They love the joy babies bring.
They love feeling needed.
They love being part of something meaningful.

Many people offer help hoping—quietly—that you’ll say yes.

Asking for help isn’t a burden.
It’s an invitation.
It’s a gift—to you and to them.

And it teaches your child something beautiful:
That community matters.
That we support one another.
That love is meant to be shared.

You Were Never Meant to Do This Alone

Parenting is not meant to be a solo journey.
It’s meant to be shared, supported, and softened by community.

So build your village.
Say yes to help.
Ask when you need it.
Let yourself be held.

Because when parents are supported, families thrive—and children grow up knowing the power of connection.

✨ You don’t need to do it all.
✨ You just need to let the village in.

With Love<
Kristin @ Soul Tribe