Just been chatting with a friend, who made a statement,

“It takes a village to raise a child” popularized by Hilary Clinton during her presidential campaigns in 2007, although apparently Chinua Achebe used it in things fall apart, and world over its known as an old African Proverp (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It_Takes_a_Village).

I pondered the question, wondering what it meant, and how it has influenced by life’s choices and paths through the years. I was raised by a “village”, yes extended family, my dad’s Aunt (she was younger) took me to school in nursery, my dad’s cousin (looked after me in Secondary school), my dad’s sister (Ssenga as we call her) was and still is a big influence in my life.

How do we, 20th Century parents, get our own “villages” to raise our children in this new westernized, totally connected, internet crazy, half mad, instant gratification world.

Just thinking of a quick checklist of people in my village, who is in yours?:

• Parents - the village chief and his queen

• Sisters, Brothers, Cousins - these are the aunties and uncles, they will be there when u go, but will also have their own little “bundles” of joy, do I hear “Two and Half men?”

• Grandparents - well these are usually the most available as they are usually retired, and may be able to afford to do so

• Friends - strange, yes but they too can help, pick your closest friends whom you trust and know will be available to be ur kids Godparents and they are hooked for life :-)

• Younger siblings - applicable for those of us come came first, but be good to them so that by the time ur kids grow up, well their aunties and uncles can guide them through the reefs of life (if the aunties and uncles have not crash landed)

So what say ye, did I miss anything?

– Brandii - the nosy neighbours - if they do not wreck the home first