What does family mean to you? The truth is, family means different things to everyone. Long gone are the days of 2.4 children as standard. I look around me at friends and aquaintences, and I see a wonderfully diverse range of family units that include single parents of both genders, same sex couples, multicultural families, married and unmarried partners, and blended families. In addition to the childless couples, family sizes range from one child to half a dozen or more. Some families live in close proximity, whilst other (still close knit) families are geographical far apart. Some are related by blood, others aren’t. There is no standard; every family is beautifully unique in one way or another.
For us, whilst I wouldn’t consider my own family unit particularly diverse, we do have an only child, with no plans to extend our family; it feels complete already. Our family lifestyle is somewhat different to most too, in that we home educate Squiggle rather than taking the traditional schooling route. I guess that shows how modern family life can differ in other ways too!
The following infographic What Makes A Family? has been produced by Slater and Gordon Family Lawyers and has some interesting stats and information about modern families.
What does family mean to you?
I asked some fellow bloggers this question. Some came up with lovely, sentimental and insightful answers…
Family means Christmas Day, Sunday lunches and the only kind of hugs that make you feel better. ~ Planes, Trains and Meltdowns
Family means those who you can rely on and who support you and make you happy! Family is not just blood. ~ The Smallest of Things
Love, support and understanding. ~ The Incidental Parent
Family means everything to me. My Mother doesn’t do anything with me, and my kids and I think that’s one big reason to why I keep the rest of my family close. They are the ones I can go to if I need a chat and we’re always there for each other. ~ Life As Mum
Being together through thick and thin. Being happy to be just spending time with family, whether you are on a fun day out or relaxing at home. ~ Dillydrops
To me, my close family are the people who know me better than anyone else, who I can completely be myself around, and who love me without judgment. And vice versa. ~ Five Little Stars
Someone to support you through the tough times and celebrate the small victories! ~ Two Hearts One Roof
Family means to me being around people who want to spend time with me and will be there with me no matter what. Always have my back and stand up for me. ~ The Mum Diaries
Whilst others had a more witty, lighthearted response…
People to argue with that are available on tap. ~ The Money Shed
But Beth really sums it up perfectly…
Quite simply – Everything ❤️ ~ Twinderelmo
So, what do you think makes a family? Tell me in comments and/ or join in the discussion on social media using the hashtag #FamilyMadeSimple
*Disclosure: This post is written in collaboration with Slater and Gordon Family Lawyers.
Interesting inforgraphic. Thanks for featuring me. x