I have started routinely referring to "my family" and everyone always assumes I have kids, while in reality I am a married and child-free, happy dog dad.
I wonder if this voice transcends languages?! I always feel affronted because yes I have a family thank you, it’s me, my partner and my three cats. That’s just as much of a family!
I have a family of me and two kitties and some good human friends. One of the kitties is quite old, so it is like having a cranky granny in the house. People always think I should want to come be with their families at the holidays. NOPE, I love being with my own.
Yup family isn’t just having kids or people. It was me and my kid facing the world’s challenges together for a long time, but it wasn’t until we got the dog that we felt like a complete family. 😂
When I was a teenager, I was forced to work all holidays at my job. My coworkers said they could not work because they needed to spend the holidays...with their teenagers...
Extremely relevant, and so true. I'm just as likely to rope good friends into being part of my family, because they are! My partner and cat and myself are nothing if not a family.
I have two darling kitty boys, and refer to the 3 of us as a family. We very much are, and I very much mean it. I never intend on having human children. Doesn’t mean I’ll never have a family!
But a hamster wouldn't be a bad addition. I had two growing up. I got to name the first one, and I called him Frisky. (I didn't get the connotation of that word yet.) He was a winter white dwarf hamster, and he was the best. You could put him on your belly and he'd run up to snuggle in the crook of your neck. He also survived being lost for five days. (Sorry Frisky. I was only ten.)
Wow, so I guess I have a lot to say about this...I kind of can't believe we're still talking about this. I'm a boomer, so for my generation, embracing and normalizing gay marriage and gay families was a gigantic sea change, and something to be so proud of. We really helped moved the needle on it. This was definitely not the case when I was young. I believe my generation played a big role in taking on deeply rooted cultural beliefs about what is and what isn't a family. And that includes adoption, mixed race families, the whole ball of wax. I married late in life. As a single person for many years, I always felt excluded in "family" conversations and references when it was clear the speaker meant, "kids." Your work examples bring back memories of those stings, small and large. "Well, it's just you, right?" That "just!" Anyway... not to be so cliche, but it was part of my maturing process to take on board that old chestnut...you are enough. Period. You don't need to have kids to not want to work overtime or do more than your fair share. Of course my husband and I are a family, but I was part of a family when I wasn't married, too. When a coworker would say, "Well I have a family," I would say, "So do I." And I did. Don't forget the millions of people who are care takers of elderly parents. I did it, and would do it again. To younger people I say, let's all do our part to finally put this business to rest. Normalize all kinds of families. It's whoever, whatever you need it to be. And it can change, too. Some relationships are meant to last. Others...not so much. And don't be afraid to own your boundaries around work. If people think or imply you should do more because you are child-free, that's their opinion. It doesn't have to be yours.
Oooooooof, yes. My household is still getting over RSV and it’s the pits. Even the cat seems sick? I think my daughter and I got it at a drop in Lego thing at the library, populated by sick children.
As for family, I think of it like, if you feel like yourself and you feel safe, then the folks you’re with (feline and canine and hamsters included) are family.
I have started routinely referring to "my family" and everyone always assumes I have kids, while in reality I am a married and child-free, happy dog dad.
I wonder if this voice transcends languages?! I always feel affronted because yes I have a family thank you, it’s me, my partner and my three cats. That’s just as much of a family!
Hi👋🏼 I also have a partner and 3 cats! Best family ever :)
I have a family of me and two kitties and some good human friends. One of the kitties is quite old, so it is like having a cranky granny in the house. People always think I should want to come be with their families at the holidays. NOPE, I love being with my own.
My spouse and I have two dogs and four cats. That's definitely a family!
Yup family isn’t just having kids or people. It was me and my kid facing the world’s challenges together for a long time, but it wasn’t until we got the dog that we felt like a complete family. 😂
We had a hamster, Cyril, absolute best family member, still miss him. If I’d had my dog before kids she’d probably be an only child
When I was a teenager, I was forced to work all holidays at my job. My coworkers said they could not work because they needed to spend the holidays...with their teenagers...
Extremely relevant, and so true. I'm just as likely to rope good friends into being part of my family, because they are! My partner and cat and myself are nothing if not a family.
This is just so good. Right down to the coffee continuity!
My two cats and me!
ahhh I enjoyed this so much, like a lovely surprise parcel filled with cuteness in the middle of my afternoon. lots of giggles! thank you!
I have two darling kitty boys, and refer to the 3 of us as a family. We very much are, and I very much mean it. I never intend on having human children. Doesn’t mean I’ll never have a family!
My husband and our tiny dog is my family.
But a hamster wouldn't be a bad addition. I had two growing up. I got to name the first one, and I called him Frisky. (I didn't get the connotation of that word yet.) He was a winter white dwarf hamster, and he was the best. You could put him on your belly and he'd run up to snuggle in the crook of your neck. He also survived being lost for five days. (Sorry Frisky. I was only ten.)
We had a beloved hamster named after Babar’s wife...Celeste! She brought lots of happiness t9,my FAMILY! 👵🏼❤️
Wow, so I guess I have a lot to say about this...I kind of can't believe we're still talking about this. I'm a boomer, so for my generation, embracing and normalizing gay marriage and gay families was a gigantic sea change, and something to be so proud of. We really helped moved the needle on it. This was definitely not the case when I was young. I believe my generation played a big role in taking on deeply rooted cultural beliefs about what is and what isn't a family. And that includes adoption, mixed race families, the whole ball of wax. I married late in life. As a single person for many years, I always felt excluded in "family" conversations and references when it was clear the speaker meant, "kids." Your work examples bring back memories of those stings, small and large. "Well, it's just you, right?" That "just!" Anyway... not to be so cliche, but it was part of my maturing process to take on board that old chestnut...you are enough. Period. You don't need to have kids to not want to work overtime or do more than your fair share. Of course my husband and I are a family, but I was part of a family when I wasn't married, too. When a coworker would say, "Well I have a family," I would say, "So do I." And I did. Don't forget the millions of people who are care takers of elderly parents. I did it, and would do it again. To younger people I say, let's all do our part to finally put this business to rest. Normalize all kinds of families. It's whoever, whatever you need it to be. And it can change, too. Some relationships are meant to last. Others...not so much. And don't be afraid to own your boundaries around work. If people think or imply you should do more because you are child-free, that's their opinion. It doesn't have to be yours.
Oooooooof, yes. My household is still getting over RSV and it’s the pits. Even the cat seems sick? I think my daughter and I got it at a drop in Lego thing at the library, populated by sick children.
As for family, I think of it like, if you feel like yourself and you feel safe, then the folks you’re with (feline and canine and hamsters included) are family.