#FAMILYMADESIMPLE - WHAT FAMILY MEANS TO ME

Take two minutes out of your day today to reflect on what makes your family a family. With tragic events happening everyday around the world, we all take our loved ones for granted. People are losing members of their family to war, cancer, accidents and so many other reasons.

I was recently reading an interesting infographic about family by www.slatergordon.co.uk. It details so many interesting facts and statistics about how the modern family has changed. It really got me thinking about how mine has changed quite a lot over the years. I have included the infographic at the bottom of this post, which makes for an interesting read.

What does family mean to me?

Family to me is the BRAVERY of having a baby at 21 years old. The not knowing what the hell you are doing, but guessing your way through the journey of motherhood. Doing the best you can, despite being a single parent (later getting back together) and not having as much support as you should have had. My mum (on the right) did an amazing job at bringing up two children. It's crazy to think that at the age I am at now, my mum was about to have her second child. I can just about look after a puppy, let alone two kids. Hats off to my mum and yours.

Family is the TRUST that someone you love won't hurt you again. The decision to bring another child into this world was a brave one, but something both my parents decided to do. 

Family are the MIRACLES that happen. My sister, Louise was born premature at just 27 weeks, weighing just 2lb, 3oz. I was 3 and a half years old, so only remember segments of this time in my life. I remember lots of people coming to visit Louise; to catch a glimpse of the miracle baby laying in her incubator; with see-through like skin and many tubes all around her tiny baby chicken-like body. She fit in the palm of my dad's hands perfectly. She shouldn't have made it, but she fought through her battle and has just celebrated her 21st birthday. 

Family is about LAUGHTER at silly things. I have no idea why I thought it was hilarious to walk up a hill, but I guided my sister on that day and we made it to the top with victory. 

Family is the FORGIVENESS of matching sibling outfits. Thankfully, these were cute ones. However, I wasn't a fan of the luminous green dresses with pink flowers on and we both hated the itchy school skirts that our mum made us wear. 

Family is being THANKFUL for what you have. Our Christmases have always been quite special to me and spent with the people that mean the most to me. As I have grown older, I have truly appreciated the time spent with family (ohhhh, and the food!).  From my Grandad walking around with a musical tie, bitter in hand and a rosy cheeked smile. To my Nan getting stressed at the stove because my Grandad pinched a roast potato. To my Mum reading the newspaper and my sister and I waiting excitedly for the Christmas shenanigans to begin. 

Family are the EXPERIENCES and MEMORIES we all remember. I am so blessed that my parents travelled with my sister and I every single summer. My dad had a camper van and we would take off at the beginning of the Summer holidays and travel around Europe for 6 weeks. By the time I was 8, I had seen the likes of France, Spain, Portugal and Scotland; without ever having to step onto a plane. 

Travelling around Portugal is the reason why I love sardines and tomatoes on toast. I got my first threaded hair braid when I was in France and rocked it like a true Spice Girl. I have been on trekking adventures around Scotland and tried to look for the Lochness Monster. 

My love for water is down to our first paddling pool and those Europe travel holidays. My dad taught my sister and I how to swim and was persistent for us to be strong swimmers. I remember the frustration of how tight arm bands were on my chubby, little arms... so I took them off one day and they never returned. That's the best way to learn in my opinion.

Honourable mentions go to the birth of my little cousins, all of the pets we have had over the years; including my little Elsie now who relies on us for everything. The introduction and acceptance of my sister's long-term boyfriend to our family.

There have been ups and there have been downs, but nothing changes the fact that these people are my family. No one knew what to do when my nan was battling breast cancer and then heart problems followed. However, we pulled together as a family and my nan pulled through her illnesses. It seems we are back at the beginning, as now my Grandad isn't very well, but I have no doubts that a family as strong as mine will once again, pull through and come together to support one another. 

Family is EVERYTHING and I wouldn't have mine any other way. I am so very grateful to have the best people in my life; especially my mum and sister who are my best friends.

With 8.9million families in the UK, how many of these are nuclear? How many have more than two or three kids? How many are struggling to conceive? How many are in civil relationships? How many have introduced pets into the home? How many have carers? How many have a single parent or no parents at all?  This infographic explains it all...

It was really interesting to learn more about families and the statistics that the UK currently holds. I feel very fortunate to live in a comfortable home, with a (relatively) healthy family and both of my parents happily married.

What does family mean to you? I asked on Twitter and here are what some people said about what family means to them.

An army of unrivalled support, no questions asked, when you need it most. X

— Holly Matthews (@hollymatthews) June 14, 2017

Support, love, encouragement and acceptance, no matter what 💛

— Katie (@ktlgh) June 14, 2017

Family means unconditional love.

— Holly Sturgeon (@HollysBeautyBox) June 14, 2017

Disclaimer: In collaboration with Slater and Gordon. All words and photographs are my own.