I'm not sure where it comes from but the saying "It takes a village to raise a child" is one we have all heard plenty of times.

I didn't have that kind of upbringing, really - it was always just me and my mum against the world (I even went to her evening cleaning job with her!) and I wouldn't recognise my aunts/uncles/cousins if I crossed them in the street; grandparents were old people you "visited" once in a blue moon and were not really a part of your life.

In truth, that was the parenting experience I had wanted for myself and, while pregnant, I couldn't bear the thought of sharing my baby (or losing control, I guess). But it isn't the experience I got - and I couldn't be happier!

My daughter's "village" consists of:

- Her mum and dad (us)

- Her nanny and grandad (inlaws) who will have her three days a week when I go back to work (currently have her one day a week)

- Her daycare teachers who she will spend two days a week with from 20/2/14.

- Her "Auntie Joy" (and elderly lady my inlaws visit, who I've never met! They take E to see her every week!! She sees her more than she sees my mum!!).

- Her nana (my mum) who she will see maybe once a month but will hopefully spend more time with once she gets a bit older.

- My BFF and her son who is a few months older than her. The kids will grow up together!

I actually really love that she has a lot of people in her life who love her. I love it when she learns new things at my inlaws' house - for example last week she learned to put a spoon to her mouth! I thought I'd be jealous and resentful when she did new things for them but actually it's awesome that she has so many opportunities to learn from so many people. Plus it gives me a break!!

Does your LO have a "village"? Who is in that "village"? How do you feel about the concept? How do you feel about your situation?