Multi-Generational Child Rearing

Welcoming a baby into the family can be extremely challenging, especially if it is the first.  In generations past the birth and rearing of a child was a multi-generation deal. 

Mothers, fathers,  grandparents, older children, aunts, uncles and friends were all readily available to help out, give advice and step in when the going got tough. New families were not left on their own to sort out the child rearing puzzle as they are so often left today.  We know that children don’t come with an instruction booklet, but in times past they didn’t need to, as most families were surrounded by a living history of the life cycle to look for examples and assistance.  Each child grew up in families surrounded by living examples - birth, childhood, adolescence, partnering, family angst and conflict, aging and even the dying process.  This all meant that when it came to their turn to go through these same stages individuals already had plenty of experiences to call on to help them get through.

Modern society has many advantages over ages past, but the isolation of  the modern family, I believe is a major drawback.  We need to find ways of re-colonizing our families, of bringing back a multi-generational approach to the raising of children, coping with the  ages and stages right through to helping our older generations to age gracefully with dignity and support.

Exploring ways to  re-create multi-generational “families” is the key.  Suggestions include: the ‘adopt-a-granny/grandpa’ approach, establishing a community network of friends both younger and older to exchange ideas and frustrations, even simple acts like talking to your neighbors over the fence, can all help to dissolve the isolation many people feel and experience.