They say that raising a child takes a village. Well then, where the heck is the village? Is it two towns over? Helloooo? Just kidding, I know it’s all around. The «village» is whatever you need it to be. It’s your parents who become live-in help during the first month of your child’s life. It’s your neighbor who doesn’t mind watching them when you go on date night. It’s the teacher you pass them off to every morning. 

It’s your manicurist who, though she doesn’t directly help with your children, is essential to your functioning as a mother. It’s pre-sliced cheese and cracker snack boxes. It’s the good people who created Bluey. It’s restaurants with crayons at the dinner table. It’s your cousin who sends you that highly-rated teething toy you’ve been too cheap to buy for yourself. It’s the two hours of peace after the kids go to bed where you get to be a full adult again.