Families

Many things change throughout history, but one thing that hasn’t changed is family. Even if IVF is used today, scientists still need a man and a woman to provide the egg and the sperm that create a person. So our families are something we have in common with Adam & Eve, ancient Romans, and Jane Austen. We like to think we have advanced beyond our ancestors, but they will always be our family.

Sociologists have proven that children thrive in a loving environment, and that they decline in a hostile one. That seemed obvious, but sociologists did do studies on it. They’ve also proven that children who know something about their families are more resilient to the difficulties of life. Family stories, even stories about failure and loss, help children to realize that they can experience difficulties in life and still have a good life.

It’s time to talk to our kids about Uncle Bill’s WWII experiences, Grandma Reynolds’ 4 babies in 4 years, and Aunt Roxie’s brothel. They are real stories. They happened. These stories had consequences for everyone in the family, and they happened for a reason. Looking back, they may not have been good reasons, but they probably thought they were at the time. We can all learn from, relate to, and even grow from these family stories.

Share your story. You will be glad you did!