Some people attribute the way they were brought up, solely on their parents. To some people, this attribution goes to many more family members than just their parents. To these people, the common saying, "It takes a village," has meaning that others wouldn't understand. That village being the community made up of the family members that contribute to their upbringing.
Growing up a child's biggest and most helpful learning tools are the people around it. They learn many things from these people before they can even read or write. The things that children experience when they are younger often affect them as they get older and start developing their own beliefs and senses of identity.
When you grow up with many different family members, all of which are involved in your life as much as they possibly can be, you start to learn things from each and every single one of them. All of the things that are learned combine, and as we get older we keep what we want to know and forget about the rest.
If you are like me and spent as much time with you grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and other family members as much as your parents, then you probably feel they had a lot to do with your upbringing. It wasn't just your parents teaching you right from wrong or how to be yourself, it was everyone. Everyone supported you and everyone encouraged you all the same.
Of course, our parents still had the greater influence because we couldn't get away with as much their than we could at our grandparents. But that was only because we had to live with them and they were most likely the ones to punish us.
Children can learn different things from different people, and it really helps to have that variety. I don't know how many times I have had questions, and thought to myself, "now who is the best person to call." Cooking questions I always call my grandma, questions about fixing things I call my dad, and whenever I have a general question I ask my mom.
Whenever you are feeling upset, happy, angry or nervous there is always somebody out there that will talk to you and give you whatever you need. Every time you are around family you get a million concerning questions and even more "let me know if you need anythings."
Sometimes it gets a little rocky because when you get so many people contributing to your life, their opinions start to clash a little and it can stir up some unwanted bickering. But for the most part, it is very helpful to know that no matter what there are always many people who will care for you and encourage you.
