Dear Parents,
First, I want to thank you for allowing me to be in your child’s life. I want to reassure you I will not betray your trust. Your child’s best interest is at the forefront of my heart.
That being said, I want to explain a few things. I have had situations where some parents told me I have no right to speak on parenting practices because I don’t have kids. This was thrown in my face on multiple occasions. How wrong they are. I do have kids. Your kids.
It takes a village to raise a child.
Kind of a played out phrase, but it’s entirely true. I see so many parents that ascribe to the “worry about yourself/own kids” theory. You’re just hurting yourself, and your kids, if you think you’re the only one that will have influence over them.
Let’s be honest. Even if you have a loving spouse and live in a wonderful neighborhood with the best schools, raising kids is a hard job! I respect you for undertaking this difficult task. However, there’s no shame in admitting you need a break. So, use me! You allowed me in your child’s life for a reason. Trust that I will do right by them.
While you’re trusting me also realize your kids may confide in me. Here’s that honesty thing again. Sometimes there are certain things kids don’t want to tell their parents. Think about it. Did you want to tell your parents everything? I didn’t think so. Or, did you tell one parent over the other because they wouldn’t flip the script on you? I thought so. So, what makes your kid so different from you? Let them talk to me. I’m not going to steer them wrong.
One last tidbit, there’s a chance your kid won’t listen to you. Just a slim chance. I know that’s a wild thought. I mean we always listened when our parents/grandparents/aunts/uncles tried to instill some sense into us right? Wrong. That’s where I step in. Sometimes, little Jaden (the aden ending is so popular right now!) will hear me when he won’t hear you. As long as he’s hearing what’s right, does it matter who it comes from?
You’re not alone in this. I’m here, and I love your kids as if they are my own. So, don’t write me off. Sooner or later, I’ll have kids of my own and I’ll need another person in the village to help me just like you do.
Sincerely,
A Childless Father
A Fresh Voice 
Great post! It DOES take a village to raise a child, and I use this phrase often… I’ll use it most when I’m ripping a stick out of your kids hand because he’s beating up his little brother.. 🙂
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Lol great time to use it! It’s funny to me because I hear so much “worry about your own kids” from people. I’m like nah, I’d rather have all of our kids be out of jail and successful. So please, put the stick down lol.
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Perfect!!! 🙂
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LOL at the comments….This is a nice one Jarrod. I hope alot of parents who think they have it all together take this advice. Every child is shaped and molded by encounters with alot of different people other than Mom or Dad, and their personalities are influenced by experiences inside and outside the home. Children are very impressionable but it’s up to the parents to reinforce and validate the correct behaviors and acquaintances that make for a well rounded adult.
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You’d be surprised at all of the nonsense I’ve been told because I’m not a parent. I have to laugh at it. Some stuff is just common sense.
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You keep on impressing me on the voice you take on a subject. Keep it going. As a single person I relate, I been working with young people for 28 years. I get emails and phone calls from them with a few words of thank for being there. You are one of them.
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