In a world where screens seem to dominate every waking moment, it’s easy to give today’s kids a hard time for constantly being on their electronics. But every now and then, something comes along that makes you pause, reflect and realize that maybe things aren’t as bad as they seem. For me, that “something” is our neighborhood.

Sure, our kids spend more time on their phones and gaming systems than I’d like to admit, but when I look at the big picture, I see something truly remarkable.

We have a neighborhood where kids of all ages — from preschoolers to college students — actually hang out together. They talk, they laugh, they support each other.

It’s like a Montessori-style social gathering, with older kids passing down their wisdom and stories while the younger ones teach the older kids how to cater to an audience still figuring out the world.

Of course, it’s not always sunshine and rainbows. There are moments when the older kids get frustrated with the little ones tagging along, or the younger ones feel excluded from something that’s just a bit beyond their reach.

But even in those moments, there’s a bond that runs deeper than the fleeting annoyances. They have each other’s backs, plain and simple.

Take their support for one another’s activities. We have kids attending different schools and playing on different sports teams, yet they still make the effort to show up for each other whenever they can.

And yes, as parents, this means we’re often shuttling them from one event to another, but isn’t that what community is all about? Showing up for each other, even when it’s inconvenient.

Then there are the moments of rebellion — because let’s face it, kids will be kids.

When one of them gets grounded from their favorite apps, another will inevitably find a workaround to share with the grounded friend. As a parent, this can be infuriating, but in the grand scheme of things, it’s just another way of looking out for one another.

When my kids are grounded, their friends will even plead their case, begging me to let them off the hook. They don’t succeed, of course, but their loyalty is heartwarming.

What’s even more incredible is the way they hold each other accountable. When the grounded kid finally rejoins the group, their friends are quick to lay down the law: “Stop talking back, do what you’re supposed to do and then we can hang out.” It’s their version of tough love, and I have to say, it’s pretty effective.

Watching their interactions is like a masterclass in social development. They fight, they make up and they mediate each other’s conflicts. They’re learning how to navigate relationships in a way that will serve them well for the rest of their lives.

And when I take a step back, I see that they’re not so different from how I was growing up in my own neighborhood. It’s a privilege to witness.

When we moved back to Ohio, this was exactly what we wanted for our kids. We didn’t want the big-city dynamic where every hangout had to be arranged weeks in advance. We wanted a neighborhood where kids could just show up, where parents could be open and vulnerable, and where everyone felt supported.

We wanted a village and we found one.

So here’s to our neighborhood and all the other neighborhoods out there creating spaces like this.

Spaces where kids can be kids, where parents can connect and where community truly means something. From me to you, I hope you’re as lucky as we are.

Mother, author, entrepreneur and founder of Dandelion-Inc, Lisa Resnick wants to hear your story. Share memories with her by emailing lisa@dandelion-inc.com.