06/09/2026
Raising a child is not a group project.
“It takes a village” does not mean the village gets a vote in decisions about rules, boundaries, or how a child is raised.
Being included in major decisions is something parents choose to offer, not something relatives are automatically entitled to because they share blood or a last name.
Children do not benefit from being surrounded by adults who undermine their parents, disregard their rules, or attempt to override their decisions.
In fact, that creates confusion, instability, and divided loyalties.
The reality is simple.
If you cannot respect a parent’s role, you should not expect unrestricted access to their child.
Adults who ignore boundaries, break rules behind a parent’s back, or encourage children to keep secrets from their parents are not acting in the child’s best interest!
Those behaviors ONLY erode trust and create unsafe dynamics.
So if you want to be part of a child’s life, do it in a way that is healthy, respectful, and supportive of the parent & child relationship.
Because being part of the village is a privilege NOT an entitlement.