"Without meaning to, I started building my village before my daughter was born. Another expectant mom in my birth class invited me to join a group of pregnant women with similar due dates. Many moms in the group also lived far from their families, and we vowed to become each other's support systems. We would cook each other meals after we each gave birth in turn and exchange babysitting once our babies were a little older."
"After I had my daughter, the village came through. After birth, my daughter needed to stay in the NICU. Friends brought me food, support, and love. When my daughter was finally allowed to come home, we had a never-ending stream of visitors that continued for weeks. Friends held my baby so I could shower or drink a cup of tea while it was still hot. Later, they would keep me company on one of my many walks to her follow-up doctor's appointments."
Parents settled in Washington, DC without nearby family and intentionally built a support network before their first child arrived. An expectant mother from a birth class organized a group of pregnant women with similar due dates to provide mutual practical help. The group arranged to cook meals, exchange babysitting, and rely on friends without children as backup caregivers. After birth, the newborn required a NICU stay and friends brought food, love, and practical assistance. A steady stream of visitors helped for weeks, holding the baby so the mother could shower or drink hot tea and accompanying her to follow-up appointments. The village supplied essential care and companionship.
Read at Business Insider
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