Thank Goodness for Family Who Isn’t Blood

A lot of my village is family. I know that isn’t always common for others, but my mom, sister, aunts and cousins help me out in a split second and I am so grateful for that! But I am also just as grateful to my family who aren’t blood. Those that my kids call Aunt Becky or Auntie Kayla. Those amazing people I have called my friends for so long, who have been with me through thick and thin that they have become my family. Here are my top three reasons why this type of family is so important:

1. You Picked Them

We can’t pick our family, but we can pick our friends. Those that have the same values as us. Those that support us unconditionally no matter how hard life gets and are there to celebrate all your wins with you. That support, those values are key to what you want to teach your kids (whether that crossed your mind or not) and to have them shown from someone your kids can look up to like an “aunt” is such a blessing for them.

2. They Can Teach

While it might not always be what I want, Uncle Shawn can help teach my kids things that moms and dads can’t teach kids. It’s those silly things you learned as a kid that your parents would tell you “That’s not appropriate” or “That’s not safe” but man oh man were they so much fun as kids! Now don’t get me wrong there are lines kids shouldn’t cross, but those things that grandparents get to teach – these bonus aunts and uncles get to teach as well – like eating all the sweets they want 😉

In addition to the fun things they can teach them, they also have their own experiences in their life that your kids can learn from that you would never have insight in to. That’s the bonus part.

3. Sharing Unconditional Love

Because you picked your friends, they picked you too (or at least I hope so 😉). And that means they love you no matter what and thus I’ve noticed they love your kids no matter what.

They help you parent them. They show your children that there are others who aren’t your family can love you for just the way you are. It shows them that the world is a kind place that cares about them which is something a lot of kids are missing these days. It shows up in the smallest places like when my daughter asks me “Can Aunt Chelsie come babysit tonight?” It just tugs at those momma heart strings.

So for all of those family members who aren’t family – thank you. Thank you for all you do for my family because without you life would be a lot more complicated!