It takes a village

By EMILY ALEXANDER
Guest Columnist

Note from Janet Hart Leonard: For Mother’s Day, I am handing over my column to my daughter, Emily Alexander, to share her thoughts.

When people say, “It takes a village to raise a child,” it’s not about a parent’s limitations. In our home, it means weaving a vibrant community that pours love, support, and wisdom into our children’s lives. This village shapes who our kids become, molding their values, dreams, and hearts.

As we celebrate Mother’s Day, I’m reflecting on the incredible role this community plays – not just for my children, but for me and countless others, and I’m filled with gratitude for the woman who showed me how to build it: my mom.

With our kids’ whirlwind schedules – sports, school, and everything in between – our village is a lifeline. We lean on grandparents, friends, coaches, and neighbors to keep things running smoothly. I sometimes feel guilty relying on them so much, but then I realized: I’m part of someone else’s village, too. When I cheer for our kids’ friends at their games, offer a ride, or lend a listening ear, I don’t hesitate – it’s an honor. Mother’s Day reminds me that this mutual support is the heartbeat of our villages, and I’m so grateful for everyone who steps up.

Growing up, my parents surrounded me with an incredible village, and I’m especially thankful for the “bonus moms” who loved me like their own. These women offered guidance, encouragement, and unwavering support, and even now, they’re still there for me, no matter how much time has passed. I’ve also heard from childhood friends who share how my mom touched their lives, becoming a beacon of light in their villages.

This Mother’s Day, I’m celebrating these women who showed me what it means to mother beyond their children – and I owe so much of that understanding to my mom’s example.

As my kids have grown, I’ve noticed their friends moving from calling me “Aiden and Leah’s mom” to “Momma Emily” or their “second mom.” It’s a title that humbles me and fills me with pride. I now understand the privilege of being a trusted figure in their lives, just as those bonus moms were for me. Mother’s Day is the perfect time to honor this role – to celebrate the joy of offering love and support to the kids who call me their second mom, and to every mother figure who steps into that sacred space for others.

A special thanks goes to my mom, who loved us so well and taught me what it means to be a mom and a bonus mom. Her fierce love, endless patience, and open heart showed me how to nurture my children and extend that care to others. She didn’t just raise me; she modeled how to build a village, love beyond family lines, and be a light for someone else’s child. This Mother’s Day, I’m celebrating her and the legacy of love she’s passed down.

My deepest hope as a mother has always been to surround my children with a community that loves and uplifts them no matter what. Now, I also pray to be a positive influence for their friends, a bonus mom, or a steady presence in their villages, just like my mom was and is.

This Mother’s Day, I’m celebrating not just biological moms, but every person who mothers – grandmas, aunts, neighbors, teachers, friends, and especially my incredible mom – who make our villages so strong. Here’s to the love we share, the communities we build, and the countless ways we show up for each other’s children.

Happy Mother’s Day to every heart that helps raise a child.