Moving close to my parents when I started a family was one of the best decisions I ever made. I know it's not always possible, but if you're considering living closer to your parents, my recommendation is to go for it. I'll be the first one to admit that there can be too much togetherness. We've had disagreements and misunderstandings a plenty, but at the end of the day, I couldn't imagine raising my children without my parent's help.
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Having someone that you trust to watch your kids is so awesome. Having someone that you love watch your kids is the best. Not only do I not have to pay for childcare, I have ideal childcare. The kind you can call when your house has been hit by the stomach flu or when you need help with school pick-up at the last minute. In fact, at kindergarten drop-off I see many grandparents giving hugs goodbye and I think it's pretty incredible. Plus, in a world where many of us have to work our tails off to make ends meet, help from the older generation can be down right crucial.
Living near extended family means your kids are born with a built-in multi-generational squad.
It's so much more than childcare help, although that is huge, it's the special relationship that your kids get to have with their grandparents. And what's more, the relationship that your parents get to have with their grandkids. My mom sees the boys most days, helping look after them while I work, they have their own special little routine. She adores them and they her.
My dad coaches the Little League and is the funnest guy in the world to my two sons, spoiling them and playing with them every chance he gets. In fact, I think that my extremely fond memories of spending lots of time with my grandparents was a huge factor in my decision to move back to my home town.
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I think my favorite part of living near my parents is that my sons's entire world doesn't just revolve around my husband and I. Living near extended family means your kids are born with a built-in multi-generational squad. It means you and your children have extra people to turn to in times of challenge and in times of triumph. More family means more love. If you can't move to your parents, maybe you can share this article and convince them to move to you.
