I Was Raised By ‘The Village.’ I Chose Not To Raise My Sons The Same Way.

Maskot/Maskot/Getty ImagesMy brothers and I grew up with my extended family: My cousins, my aunts, my uncles, my grandparents. They were all regular fixtures in our lives. Some of them lived with us on and off, bedrooms changed hands as people grew up and out, bathroom sinks crowded with toothbrushes and toiletries. Our village was one of revolving doors, of many hands making light work, of laughing in the kitchen and chairs gathered around in clusters on the front porch. Mixing bowls full of scrambled eggs on Christmas morning, homemade birthday cakes at least once a month because it was alwa