Happy Families

I had to drop my car off to be serviced (AGAIN!) this morning so I thought I would take the kids with me. A little excursion. Get them out of the house and give Rose a break. Winter school holidays are BORING for everyone. 

The three of us actually love taking trips in the car. We chat about all sorts of things. Today I decided to talk about families.

I told the kids that some people have small families, perhaps only a mom and a dad and one child. Other people have big families with lots of children, like Aunty Mel and Uncle Gary and Daniel and Rebeka and Sofia. Some people, like us, have a brother and a sister and a mommy and a daddy. And some people don’t have a daddy, they just have a mommy.  “Mommy and Adam and Kate has a daddy!” interjects Adam. (Adam is very, very fond of his daddy. His first words every morning are "where's my dad?") Well, technically he is not MY daddy, but yes, we are lucky to have a daddy. 

I told the kids that some children have two mommies and no dad, and some have two daddies and two mommies. How lucky! “We only have one mommy” remarks Adam. “Ah yes,” I replied, “but you have the BEST mommy”. “Are you the BEST mommy?” asks Kate. “Yes, I am the very BEST mommy in the whole world” I confirmed. We all nod in agreement.

And then I told them that some people didn’t have any children at all.  “And then they cried?” Adam gravely asks, remembering the story I’ve told them many times about how mommy was really sad before they were born because she had no children and she used to cry but then luckily the doctor put two babies in her tummy and then she was so happy. 

Like Rosie, I told them. Rosie doesn’t have children yet, but she doesn’t cry. “Yes she does has children!” Adam rebukes. But who are her children I ask? “Adam and Kate are her children” he informs me.  I smiled. Yes my boy, you are right, Adam and Kate are her children too.

Families come in all different shapes and sizes, and we are very lucky to have each other. As we pulled into the driveway I told them that we are all family, and we love each other very much. Yes, they agreed, we certainly do. Precious moments. I'm a very lucky gal to have my beautiful happy family. 

Comments

[Judy]

You are so right - families are made in various forms, sizes, and relationships. The love is what ties us together the tightest. Good of your kids to know that at such a young age.

[Stefanie]

Awwwww!!! Adam's remarks about Rose made me teary. Big fat smooches to your wonderful family.

[Type (little) a]

Lovely. Just lovely.

[Patty]

I love you and your awesome kids. :)

[Diana]

I love that you are talking to your kids about all the different types of families. My 3.5 year old (who is adopted from China) told me the other day that she lived in my tummy for awhile. I told her a simple story about her birthparents in China and almost as an afterthought I mentioned that many children stay with their birthparents. That part was a little awkward. Next time I will add to her story a few other types of families like you have done with your kids. Thanks for sharing this moment with us.

[Carrie Jo]

Oh that is just the sweetest thing.

[Orange]

Wonderful post, Tertia!

Yeah, we've had the family talk before. This book, "It's So Amazing," does a good job of adding the technical stuff (your bits, gametes, puberty, etc.) and touches on adoption, fertility treatment, and preemies too. And the cartoon illustrations show families of all colors and relationships.

[kskmaybe]

Beautiful conversation!

[rut]

wow, you have relayed some gorgeous stuff before, but this post might be the dooziest for a while. sitting here with tears aplenty being thankful for my version of family.
thanks so much for reminding us ever so softly of life's priorities.

[Jenn]

Aww, that made me tear up. How lucky you all are to have each other :)

[Beth]

That is so sweet. A beautiful family.

[Bugged]

“And then they cried?” Yup, especially reading blog posts like these...

[Ann Johannesburg, South Africa]

Magic post. Families are made in all sorts of ways - that's how I explained to my daughter why I am surrogating for our friends - I'm just their tummy mummy for now - their mum and dad are waiting for end October to have their family.

[Sister Mel]

Especially your sister, Golly gosh, how lucky you are to have me!

[serina]

You are doing a terrific job with this mothering gig, Tertia! I felt good just reading your wonderful post!

[Kirstyphysio]

You have been watching too much Barney!!
"I love you, you love me
We're a happy family .... tra la la etc, etc..."
Ring a bell??
xx

[paul hughes]

...and some don't have a mommy, just a daddy.

i'm a single father. somehow we get left out of the mix. we're out here.