Since my trip to Bend, I have been wanting to post about something that I experienced while being there. I was in Bend to visit an old college roommate of mine, who is now married and living near her family. She is part of an extended family of farmers and her immediate family are involved in a variety of other business ventures within Central Oregon. However the thing that I was so amazed by is just how wonderfully her family functions.
Each of the four siblings are extremely different personalities, with different politics, interests, spouses, etc. However any time I have seen them together, it's as if all differences are thrown out the window. On this trip I happened to be invited to Sunday breakfast which included five kids under 3 years of age, three of the siblings and their spouses, breakfast being made, the two parents, and the final wrap up from a wedding party that had been thrown on the property the night before. However in the midst of all this "could be" madness, none was evident. The kids were taken care of and passed around, extra pancakes (for ahem, me the vegan the guest who they didn't want to ask to eat cow heart of all things....) were made, the table was set, the wedding guests were taken care of, another friend came and went, and through it all conversation was shared, expectations remained the same, and food was eaten.
No one stepped on anyone else's toes in regards to expecations of or disciplining of the kids. All the kids were treated the same regardless to which parent they belonged to although usual "kid behavior" was encouraged and allowed. Individual needs were easily cross-talked and taken care of. Their family vacation was finalized, the business schedule gone over, and any other loose ends tied up. It was seamless and incredible, and it made me realize how nice it is when families really do let the entire family take care of each other and how routine enables tranquility in the midst of would-be bombardment.
I know it's been gone over again and again, the idea that it takes a village to raise a child.....however I would take it further....it's takes a village...to well raise a functioning village...just some food for thought...
2 comments:
that's great when families are like that ~ it's obviously down to how they were raised. It's just a pity more people/families aren't like that.
Hi LIZ! It´s Brenda from Bahia Blanca!! I think it´s great that www makes us meet again! As always we remember you a lot!! kisses, hugs, please keep in touch!
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