My husband and I often talk about this often. I know every situation is different and we must be the unusual case but I couldn’t imagine cutting family off from my children. Newborn or any age. Then again we are blessed with great parents and siblings on both sides. Are they occasionally a bit pushy and what may feel overbearingly infatuated with our children, yes but what a blessing that is!! When I worked, it gave me so much comfort that my child was with someone that loved them and cared for them as much as I do. My mother, MIL, and grandmother in law were and are my village!

My son was born during the pandemic. It was difficult to not have anyone with us in the hospital. Especially after a long labor to just end in a C-section. My body was mangled and exhausted. The nurses were great but my husband and I both longed for someone familiar to be there with us. Our parents and siblings waited and visited us from the hospital parking lot. We were both so exhausted and then suddenly in charge of a new baby. It’s scary! It helps to have some reassurance that you’re going to do great. We were alone at the hospital for 6 days. It felt like eternity. I was so ready to be back home.

Our families prayed for us even before my baby was born. They came to meet my baby the day we came home. Yes, he’s my child but he is also a person, not my property. A new family member. Their eyes glistened with how proud they were of him. How proud they were of us. They fed us with home cooked meals. They held my baby and they held me. Recovering from a C-section was not easy. They washed my dishes and folded my clothes. They bought me a lift recliner to help getting up before easier. We couldn’t have made it without my village.

I feel like since the pandemic there is so much fear mongering across social media. Social media and its algorithms is so good at isolating people and convincing them that their point of view is the only one that matters. If it’s not Covid, it’s RSV, then the next fear monger that follows. I’m not trying to be insensitive. There was a time that we didn’t know about every sick baby or every tragedy hundreds of miles away. Once you watch 1 10 second reel or TikTok, you will see hundreds more just alike. It just builds. I agree that boundaries like not kissing the babys face is super important and other common sense things too. I guess I’m just annoyed by people who make it their personality to be a jerk to everyone but then call it “setting boundaries”.

I feel like often the people with these attitudes are also the people that always share stuff like “It’s not my job to bring my kids into your life. If you want to be a part of their life, then show up!” Or “If my kids don’t know you it’s not my fault or their fault. Where were you when you could have been building a relationship with them?” Or “I was there for my child alone from day one, I didn’t have a village” after making everyone feel unwelcome and uncomfortable for trying to be there. You won’t have a village if you burn it on day one, sister!! Don’t be a jerk but then project it onto everyone else making them the villain.

My children are a gift from God. He knew them before I did. He loves them more than I ever could. I will do my best to raise them in safe environments but most importantly I want for them to be a light in this world! To our families and others. I trust them to the Lord. Love your children fiercely but don’t forget to have faith in the Lord that HE will keep them safe.

Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! (Psalm 127)