Choose Your Village Before Baby Arrives
We all hear that phrase, it takes a village to raise a child, but the reality is that most of us need to build that village ourselves. It’s a beautiful opportunity to surround yourself with people who make you feel truly supported.
(keep reading - but don’t miss my FREEBIE! The Choose Your Village Workbook)
So, who are those people in your life that make you feel heard, respected, comfortable, and never judged? Maybe it’s a friend who always knows how to make you laugh, or a family member who’s a great listener. It could even be someone you haven’t been super close with before, but you admire their parenting style or the calm energy they bring.
And remember, not everyone in your village has to support you in the same way. Maybe one person is the perfect person for those deep, honest text check-ins, while another is great at showing up with a meal or helping you run errands. Someone else might be the person who gets you out of the house for a walk or comes over to hold the baby so you can have a moment to yourself.
The beauty of creating your own village is that you get to decide what support looks like for you. So, if you've got a few people in mind, why not let them know? A simple, heartfelt conversation can go a long way in making sure you feel supported and connected as you step into this new chapter.
So, if you’ve got a few names in mind, why not reach out and let them know how much they mean to you? Here’s a little template to get you started:
“Hey [Name], you make me feel really [fill in the blank: supported, understood, at ease, etc.] so I’m wondering, as I get ready for this new chapter, would you be a part of my village? Could you check on me and maybe [fill in the blank: text check-ins, a walk, a coffee date, etc.] once the baby arrives?"
Now as time goes on, once baby arrives, some people might show up in ways for you that you never expected! You may meet some new moms or families. The goal is to pay attention to how people are making you feel, pre and post baby. You will not have a moment of energy to spare on a relationship that isn’t supporting you in your new phase of life. A lot can change, but being intentional about what you expect can help so much!
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