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It’s a cliche, but it’s true. Many of us feel that if we haven’t the main nuclear family setup with 2.5 children and a white picket fence, we aren’t up to snuff. Something has surely gone wrong when making our life decisions. But of course, that is absolutely nowhere close to the truth. Too many families are made to feel as though they are too out of the ordinary simply because they may not have the ability or the inclination to raise children, or that they are a same-sex couple, or that they might have been together for years without getting married.

This can unfortunately leave you to think you are the odd ones out, even though in your heart you know you are just as worthwhile as any other family. Let our advice help you feel more certain in yourself – for no other reason than this is simply the right way to consider things. We hope it helps you grow back that confidence, no matter how you have bene treated.

Love Is All That Matters

If you have love, that is all that matters. No matter if you’re related, if you’re adopted, if you live in the same house, close, or far apart. A family is family when it loves one another. There are many ‘families’ out there that are related by blood but never speak to each other. There are parents who simply threw money at having their children raised by nannies and rarely ever spoke to them. Love is all that matters, however you express it in a caring manner. If you have that, you are a verifiable family.

Blood Isn’t Thicker Than Water

‘Blood is thicker than water’ is a saying that often suggests you should prioritize your blood relatives above all else. But most of us know that is never the case. Blood is never thicker than water. For that, let us use an example. Perhaps a mother of a child has been single for some time now, and wishes to enter the dating scene. They meet someone despite not forcing their interactions, and they hit it off naturally. They fall in love. Said step-father loves the child of his new partner wholeheartedly. It doesn’t matter to him that the child is not his, because by all accounts, he loves said child like one of his own. He works day after day to provide for them, and spends most of his free time playing with or speaking to them. He is dependable, always there when needed, attending band practice, sports days, and teaching said child how to stand up to the bullies at school. 

Said stepfather finds out about how Tacori offers a broad catalog of gorgeous engagement rings, and purchases one for the proposal, which is swiftly accepted. Is that stepfather any less of a father because the child was born of another man? It might be that said biological father didn’t leave due to bad personality management, but due to a saddening and unfortunate circumstance. Does this lessen the fact that the stepfather is the true father? Some might have opinions about this, but we would say absolutely not. We are not raised and do not learn life by those who biologically bring us into this world, but by who stands next to us throughout our journey with unconditional love. If your family has that in any capacity – you’ll also realize that blood is not thicker than water, at least in the figurative sense.

Every Family Has Faults

While there are of course certain levels of family fault to consider (abuse is never acceptable), if you discount your family ties because you might have disagreements from time to time – understand that it is natural. Back to our stepfather example, it might be that despite being there, a stepfather isn’t the most social or friendly with the children. However, he still provides and is still responsible.

While perhaps not the picturesque hollywood-movie view of a family, it’s important to know that whatever works for you, works for you, and being unapologetic about that can be important. We often forget that a family grows together, and cares for one another. When you keep in mind that you are all on a journey together and sometimes, learning happens through minor conflict, you can default to being more supportive and less worried about your definition of your family health.

With this advice – we hope you can feel more certain in your loving relationships with your family members. With communication, all can be healed or appreciated.