They say it takes a village to raise a child.
Well I reckon itβs true.
A little while ago I wrote a post entitled I donβt know how I do it, about juggling work and three kids and breastfeeding with life in general, and while itβs true and sometimes I donβt know how I do it, the title of the post isnβt strictly fair because I donβt actually do it all on my own.
There are a whole team of people who keep our life and household running smoothly.
This occurred to me when Hallmark got in touch and asked us to take part in their #strongertogether campaign to mark the release of the new Justice League film and their superhero team of itty bittys (think miniature stuffed Batmans and Wonder Womans).
Justice League is all about superheroes working together and Hallmark sent us a box of goodies including superhero capes and masks and asked us to design our own family superhero logo, thinking about what makes our family #strongertogether.
Well. This got me thinking.
While our family is definitely stronger when we’re all together thereβs lots of people who help make it happen, superheroes I just canβt live without. So while the kids stuck and glued and glittered to make their superhero costumes I compiled a little list of everyone who makes our family what it is.
The superheroes I canβt live without
1. The kids. Because you need questions like βwhat in the world is faster than a blink?β and βis Father Christmas watching me now?β in your life.
2. Misery Guts. Because he does things like write βI love youβ in toy bath letters on the bathroom mirror which Iβll find in the middle of the night when everyone else is asleep and Iβm up for yet another night feed.
3. My mother-in-law. Because she travels more than two hours each way to stay with us every week giving me a precious day and a half totally child-free to work, instead of working and looking after the kids at the same time.
4. My mum and dad. Because they step in during the school holidays with free childcare and endless games β a godsend when faced with a two week half term.
5. The teachers at school. Because they answer the questions I just canβt, like what in the world is faster than a blink, and are making BB into the girl she is today.
6. Our nursery staff. Because theyβve created such a fun and loving environment I have to drag Little B away at pick up time, and have never once had to feel guilty about leaving him there.
7. Our neighbours. Because theyβre on hand when you need them, like when I was heavily pregnant with Littlest B and they took over the school run so I didnβt have to waddle up a great big hill in the cold and dark and wet.
8. Our cleaner. Because I donβt have to worry about how on earth Iβm going to find the time to properly clean with three kids in the house.
9. Our supermarket delivery man. Because he brings the shopping right up to the front door so I donβt have to navigate the supermarket with a threenager, and he knows each of the children by name.
10. Our bus driver. Because he waits until I’ve manoeuvred our massive double buggy into position before driving off. It’s a little thing, but it makes a big difference.
The fact is itβs all of the superheroes above – our little village – who help make my little superheroes. And thatβs what makes our family #strongertogether.
What makes your family #strongertogether? Do you have an army of superheroes or side-kicks you canβt live without? Iβd love to hear who they are!
Hallmark sent us a box of goodies including their itty bittys range of superheroes (Iβm pleased to see as many girl heroes as there are boys!) free of charge in exchange for this post. As always all opinions are my own. Justice League is in UK cinemas from Friday November 17.
Linking up with these fabulous blogs!
What a great mum in law you have! Mine are my husband and kids – but delightfully their partners too! I feel so lucky x #TheListLinky
Such a great post, there are many heroes that contribute to our survival too! My parents and the nursery are definitely right at the top! #thelist
So true that it takes a village. I couldn’t cope without my friends, virtual or real. There is someone on the end of the phone 24 hours a day to consult with! Big up the mummy friends #familyfunlinky
That’s so lovely, people doing everyday tasks that we often dont give them enough credit #thlistlinky
Love this!! Parents, in laws and supermarket delivery driver make my list too. As does my postman, he is a saint and goes along with being called Pat even though it’s not his name, I also have friends who keep me sane, they are true heroes!! #twinklytuesday
My favourite african proverb is “it takes a village to raise a child” and I have so many people around us supporting me. My mum who helps so much with my son now that I working full time and the rest of my family who give me a hand when needed. I couldn’t be more thankful for them, they are my real life superheroes #twinklytuesday
That is a great post! It also helps the rest of us see who in our own lives helps us and we can appreciate them more. I would definitely say the teachers at my kids’ schools, the bus driver for their schools, and my ex-husband and his parents. We all make our little village work:) #FamilyFunLinky
I couldn’t live without my hubby. He works more than me, but still does loads around the house to help me out!
#FamilyFun
Lovely post – mine would be our parents and the lovely nursery staff! #CoolMumClub
You’re right, those other people do make such a difference! I don’t know how people cope when they’re a million miles from family and support. #CoolMumClub
What a perfect post for Thanksgiving week! We could all do with writing this list! Very good to be mindful of all those who help out and we forget to thank now and again. #coolmumclub
I would add physiotherapists, occupational therapists, cardiologists, orthopaedic consultants, Brainwave therapists, & Social Workers.
But most importantly, the people who help us the most are the army of Carers who visit us everyday helping my kids to be as independent as they can be.
#coolmumclub
Amazing – love what you did there. I’d add my girl mates who help me out with the kids at the drop of a hat, and take me out and fill me with prosecco and gin when needed π
Thanks for sharing with #coolmumclub
Ah yes, they are life’s really superhero. Both sets of parents sound amazing, you’re very lucky. All hail the supermarket delivery man and yes I so need a new cleaner. It was the best money we ever spent! Thanks for joining us a #familyfun
You are lucky to have so many people support you. #FamilyFunLinky
What a wonderful post. It’s funny when you think about just how many people are involved in making life easier. The Tesco delivery man is a big part of my life. And my Mum too – always here once a week to lessen the load and have a ruddy good chat! Thanks for linking up with #TwinklyTuesday
Awww this is beautiful. And it sounds like you have a great support network around you. I have to take credit for much of the superhero efforts myself Iβm afraid when it comes to the kid. He has so many people that love and adore him. Weβre very lucky.
Hubs is a bedtime godsend for a little sanity saver. My mum and Dad have been sanity savers bringing me lunch and cakes since G was born and making cups of tea. My mum has been my chauffeur and even has a car seat readily installed at all time so. And Nursery and preschool have been great, though I feed them the whys and howβs they aka my lead to get G to warm to them.
#KCACOLS
What a truly great post. We all kind of work together, and tuck our capes into our pants or skirts and make it happen. I love your metaphor here and your team of support. I know we could never have accomplished a thing without my mother-in-law, my sister, our friends. Superheroes, all of us! Bravo. #KCACOLS xoxo
Great post, I really don’t know how people cope without having the support of the extended family. Both sets of our parents help out loads in the school holidays, as well as some of our friends stepping in when we’re stuck for childcare. Thanks for linking up with #KCACOLS, hope to see you again next time.
A brilliant list, definitely agree with all of these, especially family helping with childcare #KCACOLS
just watched that movie this morning – I liked it quite a bit! Its always good not only to recognize those that mean so much to us, but also to let them know how much we appreciate them. #KCACOLS
Aw you have some great people in your life. I love this post and it made me think about the wonderful superheroes I have in my life #KCACOLS
I’m glad you’ve got the support you need. I don’t know how I do it either sometimes and I’m not even the sahm mum! #kcacols
This is a great post, it sounds as if you have an amazing support network. We are pretty lucky. Thank you so much for linking up with #KCACOLS and hope to see you next time.