Years ago, after a rough divorce, we were invited to live with my aunt who lived in a rural area. We packed up our stuff and moved across the country to settle into our new "home".
Once there I was worried about the lack of extended family and thought I would miss the convenience of having relatives nearby. My aunt explained to my children (and myself) that there are many different kinds of family and not all of them have two parents in the home. I didn't think too much of this speech, being rather shell-shocked after the divorce, but her words stuck with me.
It wasn't too long after we settled in that friends and neighbors began to come over to meet us and extend invitations for outings. Many single ladies lived in this particular locale and were very loving and affectionate with my school-aged children.
After they got to know the kids better we began to get calls: "Can I borrow your kids? I want to go to the circus and want to take them!" "I am going fossil hunting with my geology group: would your son like to come along?" "I am going hiking. Can I take your kids?" "How would your kids like to learn how to drive a mule?" And, on and on it went like that.
Not only did my children benefit from the outings by learning new things, they learned manners, geology, ecology, respect for animals and too many good things to mention. Our neighbors enjoyed the contact with the young folks, too.
My daughter, now grown and with a child of her own, mentioned to me a few days ago how much she enjoyed the outings with our extended "family" while growing up. My son still recalls going fossil hunting years ago and still talks about it! We are still friends with all these neighbors although we are all older.
Now that my own kids are grown up I find myself looking around the neighborhood myself for families with young children. I might want to go looking for frogs and turtles by the creek ... or maybe the circus ... and, I might just say: "Can I borrow your kids?"
10.7K Reads
- Posted by moral12
- Feb 16, 2012
- Comments (21)
Readers Comments
tim wrote: Im a grownup but still kid at heart no drugs no drinking i love amusement parks and waterparks and all the cool stuff i enjoy taking my nieces and nephews to like carowinds and horse shows they love it too,plus few foster kids and friends kids i think all kids need to go out have fun and feel loved,makes me feel so good when they thank me and i know they mean it from their heart and i know ive made a difference,i growed up a rough life i know how many kids feel left out and i try to make a difference. God bless anyone thats cares about gods precious children our future. I enjoy it so much even have schools thanking me and inviting me to become school mascot. Plus it makes you feel and stay young at heart again. I dont want to grow old so this helps me stay active and young as i can feel. Ty god bless
Raymond Sia wrote: Heart touching feelings & sharing. Thank you.
thaata wrote: That's how children should be brought up - with lots of love and sharing and learning. Then there will be less violence and more hugs in this world. Wonderful story and thanks for sharing.
Rajaratnam wrote: This is what i to do to kids who are from such families. This will make them belong in a society. They will also feel there are people to care for them even though they are deserted. God bless all the readers.
moral12 wrote: Happydae, mangarita: thanks for your kind words. My kids (even though grown up), still visit the people who "borrowed" them and regard them with great affection. You never know whose life you will touch with kindness! :)
Mangarita wrote: I am happy for your boldness to share; happy too for the wonderful aunt and friends who helped make this tragedy lighter. Divorce is a very painful experience! May god bless all who gave you a shoulder to lean on, to cry on! Go ahead now and do it, god is going to bless you. I wish you all the best.
HappyDae wrote: Such a beautiful and uplifting account of acceptance and love. And now, you are prepared to show that same love to others. You never know what a positive impact you will have on a "little one's" life. God bless you as you reach out to others in the same loving kindness shown you. Love and peace, happydae
josietn wrote: It goes back to that old saying. "it takes a village to raise a child. "
moral12 wrote: Baabra, you are exactly right in saying to "take care" in whom you entrust your children to. The neighbors who "borrowed" my kids were single ladies without children of their own. One unfortunately has to be aware of the dangers to our children with pedophiles and abusers in this world. Your point is well-taken.
baabra1950 wrote: Great story! I had "extended family members also! In fact not until i was an adult, did i discover they were childhood friends or teen years friends of my mother! They were awesome and offset the lack of a father around and abuse of my mom! If the world were not so violent and children not prey by so many! "then letting someone borrow kids," would not so dangerous & scary in these times! I "believe strongly in extended family members," today i advise be more careful,
Take longer to know anyone you let around your children! Then dear people, go forth and let the joy spread! Please be kind to yourself always! Love and big warm hugs, barbie xxxoooo< hugs & butterfly kisses on your cheek
Take longer to know anyone you let around your children! Then dear people, go forth and let the joy spread! Please be kind to yourself always! Love and big warm hugs, barbie xxxoooo< hugs & butterfly kisses on your cheek
