In case you've missed the controversy, actress Salma Hayek recently made headlines when she breastfed a baby boy on a UNICEF trip to Africa. The child was hungry, the mother had no milk, and Hayek, who is still breastfeeding her daughter, fed the boy.
Hayek later commented that women need to help other women, and that we all need to work together for the children. I believe she's exactly right.
None of us can do this alone; the old adage that "it takes a village to raise a child" still applies, even in 2009. To raise strong and healthy sons, we must be willing and able to reach out to those around us, and to return the favor when we can help someone else.
We've been fortunate: Our oldest son, in particular, has found a number of wonderful mentors within our community. He fishes, but neither I or his father are particularly interested or adept fishermen. But our neighbor, an avid fisher, takes him along, and so does a friend of a friend. He's fished with everyone from the 15-year-old across the street to the retired dad of one of my husband's co-workers.
These people have opened their hands and hearts to help my son; like Hayek, they're giving of themselves so that my son has what he needs to grow and thrive.
So reach out your hand -- what can you do to mentor another boy? Who can you find to help your son thrive? Together, we can create a strong community for our boys and men.
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