Steemkids Word Definition Contest Wk1| What does family mean to you?

Family could mean different things to different people. The standard and widely accepted definition of family is that it is a group of people who are related by blood or who are biologically bound together. Personally, I feel that family shouldn't just be seen from a myopic point of view, the word "family" goes beyond just sharing the same DNA or ancestry. Family could be a group of friends, club or church members who genuinely love and care for you and who are interested in seeing you grow into becoming the best version of yourself, family are also those who encourage and serve as our support system during challenging times in our lives.

Can two families be the same?

All families have their respective values, principles and beliefs which they abide by. Some families may be very similar but each still have their distinguishing factors. The composition of each family is one of these factors, a family is comprised of personalities with different characters which are unique to that family. Families are also different in orientation and upbringing, as the way members of a certain family perceive and react to situations may be different from the way others would.

Do you currently belong to a family?

Like I said earlier, family isn't just limited to blood relatives alone. I belong to a number of families at various levels. I have a family of close friends, we encourage and look out for one another and ensure that we all work towards achieving our goals in life. We also learn from each other's experiences and ensure that our family is one which operates on the basis of honesty and loyalty.
I also belong to a family of church members who help strengthen my faith and aid my spiritual growth. We show support and care to one of our own who might be going through tough times, and help them get through such situation. We also pray and worship together, because a family that prays together, stays together.
Lastly and most importantly, I belong to a family of blood relatives, spanning from immediate nuclear family to extended family members. I am grateful for the siblings and parents I have, I would never trade them for anything or anyone else. My parents are super supportive, they let us follow our dreams and see that we're adequately equipped for every stage in life through their words of advice and wealth of experience. My parents are not one to impose their will on their children, as long as it doesn't cause harm or regret to you in the long run. They always ensured that we had the best of everything, from providing for our personal needs, to quality and top notch education. Many were not opportune to have this and for that, I'm more than grateful to them and to God, for the sacrifices they made to ensure that we were always on the right path to success. My siblings are one of my biggest motivations in life, they constantly make me strive to become a better person. They are determined, hardworking and resilient people who are passionate about whatsoever they put their minds to. They set good examples for we, the younger ones to follow and serve as wonderful role models.

My siblings and I

with my group of friends

Is your family the ideal type you would like to always belong to or are you just managing it?

An ideal family is one that is filled with love and support, and mine possesses these. I am content with the family that I have and I do not wish to trade with another. We are united, we stick together no matter the situation, we tell each other the truth when the need arises and we take corrections and adjust accordingly. We also cooperate to achieve a common goal, everyone carries out his/her responsibility and have a sense of accountability.

How can you improve your family?

For me, I am satisfied with the way my family is, everyone knows what's right and acceptable in our household and what's not, and there's genuine respect amongst us. Age is not an excuse to intimidate or disrespect anyone, and we all understand and practice that. But generally, families can be improved by laying down household rules, and there should also be consequences for disobeying such rules. Secondly, everyone's opinion should be accommodated and taken into consideration. Decisions should be taken in unison, so as to promote peace and harmony in the family. Attention should also be paid to each person's needs, so as to avoid anyone from feeling like they're being neglected. Lastly, parents should love all their children equally. No child should ever feel that another is always more favoured or loved than they are.

What advice can you give to other families that is working for you?

Contentment is key to a happy family. No family is perfect, all have their ups and downs. No matter the situation we find ourselves, let's be grateful because many others have it worse and pray to be in the position we're currently in. Let's not envy any family because we feel that they're more blessed than we are. Rather, be happy for their success and continue to strive and work hard towards attaining your own success in order to provide a better life for yourself and your family.

I thank @steemkidss for coming up with this wonderful platform.

I invite my friends @spyrex @nore21 @alphafx to participate in this contest just like I have done.