What does ‘Family’ mean to you?
Definition – Cambridge dictionary -a group of people who are related to each other, such as a mother, a father, and their children:
to me family is the unit I have had made with my husband, which includes our children. It takes a great deal of energy, love, commitment to build a beautiful family unit where you know your children will be given the best guidance, opportunities and learning possible. A unit where there is unconditional love, where we stick together through good times and bad. Where we may disagree and be hurt sometimes by the actions of the family or a member but the love prevails and through that love we communicate and support the good not focus on the wrongs.
My understanding is this:
Part 1
When our children are young our role is to teach them, teach them to be happy, respectful, confident, competent, and engaging, have good social skills, guide them with life skills, be there for them, listen to them, talk to them, respect them, love them, cuddle them, inspire them, encourage them, empower them to think and make decisions, lead them and be a good example of your beliefs, values, and kindness.
Part 2
They grow up and they spread their wings what a great feeling knowing that you helped equip them for the big wide world.
This is where it can be very sad, as what can happen is our children have moved on and they do not require us as much. This can leave a whole in the heart, it can leave a gap that needs filling because all those years you have devoted to them have stopped.
But life has not stopped for you. There is an opportunity for you to start a new chapter in your life. This new chapter does not mean you are turning your back on your children, or even grandchildren, it means you have a new purpose and in that new purpose you still have room for your loved ones.
If you are reading this and you feel you are lost because your children have moved on and you are not needed as much, please may I suggest you do something about it, it is WORTH IT!
There are ways to get to the bottom of this:
- You could talk to a friend or family member
- You could talk to a counselor or psychologist
- You could have life coaching sessions
Much love
Denise 🦋